Kerala

Kerala is a narrow coastal state in south-western India between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Its network of lagoons, lakes and canals, known as the backwaters, is one of India's best-known landscapes.

The state is known for high literacy, its spice trade history, Ayurvedic traditions and art forms such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.

Kerala's coast was trading with the Roman world, Arabia and China more than two thousand years ago, exporting pepper, cardamom and other spices. The Chera dynasty ruled in early times, followed by kingdoms such as Travancore, Cochin and the Zamorins of Calicut. Vasco da Gama landed near Kozhikode in 1498, opening the way for Portuguese, Dutch and British influence. The state was formed on 1 November 1956 by uniting Malayalam-speaking areas.

Kerala is a narrow strip between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with three zones: the coastal lowlands with backwaters and lagoons, the midlands with rubber and coconut plantations, and the highlands with tea estates and forests around Munnar, Wayanad and Thekkady. Forty-four rivers flow through the state, and Vembanad is its largest lake.

Kerala is usually the first state to receive the south-west monsoon in early June and gets abundant rainfall; the climate is warm and humid for most of the year.

Tourism, remittances from Keralites working abroad, spices, rubber, coconut, tea and fisheries are key parts of the economy. The state is known for high literacy, life expectancy and human development indicators.

Malayalam is the official language. Onam, the harvest festival, is celebrated with flower carpets, feasts (sadya) and snake-boat races. Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Theyyam are famous performing arts, and Kerala is a centre of Ayurveda. Its cuisine features coconut, seafood and spices.