KERALA, GOD`S OWN COUNTRY

Overview
Kerala commonly called as Keralam in its own native and official language ,malayalam is a state in the south -west region of India on the Malabar coast. It was formed on 1November 1956 and is divided in to 14 districts with the state capital being Thiruvanathapuram.
Kerala remains as an international spice trading center. Kerala is the state with the lowest positive population growth rate in India and has a density of 860 people per km.It also has the highest literacy rate 93.91% the highest life expectancy (almost 77years) and the highest sex ratio ( as defined by number of women per 1000 men:1084 women per 1000 men)among all Indian states.Half of the population follows Hinduism and others follows Islam and Christianity. The hospitality of Kerala is well known around the world. Kerala is blessed with natural beauty and climate which gives scenic and luster greenery which eventually gave way to call the land as "God's own Country ".
Kerala's natural produce consists of agricultural products, spice like pepper, cardamom etc,natural rubber, tea, coffee, cashew.coir,sea foods etc. .contributes to a significant portion of the total state and national income. The state's 145704 kilometers of roads constitute 4.2% of all Indian Roadways. There are three Existing and two proposed international airports. waterways are also used for transportation. Kerala has the highest both print and visual media exposure in India. the hill stations, breathtaking greenery, waterfalls, backwaters and beaches makes Kerala a must see destination in both national and international tourism Industry.
Climate
Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate on account of the seasonal heavy rains of the south west summer monsoon and northeast winter monsoon.It has about 120-140 rainy days per year and about 65% of the rainfall occurs from June to August corresponding to the southwest monsoon, and the rest from September to December corresponding to northeast monsoon.
Cuisine
Kerala cuisine is enriched with both vegetarian and non- vegetarian dishes. Own produce from the farms and agricultural lands. use of various in the state made possible of such mouthwatering dishes been prepared for years.Rice is the staple food that people eat every day.the dishes varies from each place to place Kerala does not have any cultural differences in the various food types and all people share and enjoy the same dishes everywhere.Kerala is famous for its "sadhya" a food feast with rice and various vegetarian dishes which is served on banana Leaves.The most seen dessert version of Kerala Commonly called as "payasam" also is one of the delicacies which a person should enjoy. It is available in various ways prepared using different ingrediants such as dal,rice,banana, vermicilli etc. The seafood dishes are simply awesome and will have the absolute satisfaction of appetite.
Tourism
Kerala is one among the most popular tourist destinations in India with its cultural diversities and demographics. National Geographic's Traveller magazine names Kerala as one of the "ten paradises of the world and "50 must see destinations of a lifetime. Kerala's beaches,backwaters,mountain ranges and wildlife sanctuaries are major attractions for both domestic and international tourists.The city of Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala.
Ayurvedic tourism became very popular since the 1990s, and private agencies have played a notable role in tandem with the initiatives of tourism Department. Kerala is known for its ecotourism initiatives and in this segment it promotes mountaineering, trekking and bird watching programmes in the western ghats as the major products.
Amongstthe popular destinations includes Asia's largest and World's third largest Navel Academy- Ezhimala Navel Academy,Idukki Arch dam- world's second and Asia's first first arch dam,beaches at Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochin,Cherai,Payyambalam, kappad, Muzhappilangad(south India's only drive -in Beach) and Bekal,hill stations at Munnar,Wayanad,Wagamon,Peermade, Paithalmala,Nelliampathi and Ponmudi etc.Kerala has 12 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary ,Muthanga wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife sanctuary, Eravikulam National park,and silent Valley national Park are the most popular among them.The backwaters of Alleppey Kumarakom and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy boat race is held in August) are verypopular among inland water transportation destinations.