Kerala is a state in southern India. Located on the west coast, Kerala is famous for its beaches, ports, and backwaters. On top of that, the western ghats mountains make Kerala a versatile destination for nature lovers. Here are 11 interesting facts about Kerala, the “God’s Own Country”.
11 interesting facts about Kerala
Overview
Kerala is a small state having state borders with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The state has a coastline of about 600 kilometers with the Laccadive sea. It is the 21st largest state in terms of area while the 13th largest in terms of population.
High literacy rate in Kerala
Kerala has the highest literacy rate among all states in India. The state has a literacy rate of 96.2%. Kerala also has the highest Human development index among all states (2021 data).
Forest cover and National parks
Kerala has a forest cover of 21,253 square kilometers which is 54.70% of the total geographical area of the state. There are 6 National parks in Kerala.
- Anamudi Shola National park – 7.5 sq km
- Eravikulam National park – 97 sq km
- Mathikettan Shola National park – 12.82 sq km
- Pambadum Shola National park – 1.318 sq km
- Periyar National park – 350 sq km
- Silent Valley National park – 89.52 sq km
In these protected forests, Kerala has one of the highest Asian elephant populations in India.
Tourism in Kerala is a big industry
Kerala is one of the most visited states in India. Around 2 million foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2019. Some famous destinations in Kerala are Munnar, Kochi, Alleppey, Varkala, etc.
Kerala has the world’s richest temple
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is the richest place of worship in the world. Vaults full of gold, diamonds, and other precious stones have been discovered in the temple. There are some vaults that remain closed due to religious beliefs.
Vallam Kali boat racing
Kerala is known for its traditional Vallam Kali boat racing. Many big events are organized every year during the Onam festival in various parts of the state. It requires incredible synchronization and speed for the oarsmen to win the race.
Kerala is the first state that experiences monsoon rains
The monsoon usually reaches Kerala in early June. Kerala is the first state to experience heavy rains each year.
The highest peak of Southern India is in Kerala
Anamudi, the highest peak in Southern India is located on the border of the Ernakulum and Idukki districts of Kerala. The peak has an elevation of 2,695 meters.
Kalariyapayattu
The ancient Indian martial art of Kalariyapayattu originated in Kerala. It is still practised in some parts of Kerala and has thus earned the title of “oldest surviving martial art of India”.
Capital of Kerala
The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of about a million. The city is known for its temples, backwaters, and beaches.
The practise of Ayurveda in Kerala is quite prevalent
The ancient medicine system of Ayurveda is quite prevalent in Kerala. People from around the world visit Kerala for various kinds of Ayurvedic treatments.
Some basic facts about Kerala
| Area | 38,852 square kilometers |
| Area rank | 21 |
| Population | 3.34 crores (2011 census) |
| Population rank | 13 |
| State animal | Indian elephant |
| State tree | Coconut tree |
| State bird | Great Indian Hornbill |
| Official language | Malayalam |
| Literacy rate | 96.2 % |
| Capital | Thiruvananthapuram |
These were some interesting facts about Kerala. if you want to learn about other states, the following are some suggestions.
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