Tamil Nadu vs Kerala – Indian states comparison

Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the two southernmost states in India. The following is a comparison between these two states. Let’s read.

Tamil Nadu vs Kerala – Indian states comparison

Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the map of India

Which state is larger in area, Tamil Nadu or Kerala?

Tamil Nadu is larger in area as compared with Kerala. It is almost 3.4 times larger than Kerala.

  • Area of Tamil Nadu – around 1,30,060 sq km
  • Area of Kerala – around 38,860 sq km

Which state is more populous, Tamil Nadu or Kerala?

  • Population of Tamil Nadu – 7.21 Crores (2011 census)
  • Population of Kerala – 3.34 Crores (2011 census)

Overview

Tamil NaduKerala
Areaaround 1,30,060 sq kmaround 38,860 sq km
Area rank10th21st
Population (2011 census)7.21 Crores3.34 Crores
Population rank (2011 census)6th13th
Capital CityChennaiThiruvananthapuram
Largest CityChennaiThiruvananthapuram
Statehood1 November 19561 November 1956
Most spoken languageTamilMalayalam
Second most spoken languageTeluguTamil

Geography

Tamil NaduKerala
RegionSouthern IndiaSouthern India
Major RiversKaveri, Ponnaiyar, Palar, Amaravati, Vaigai, Noyyal, Vaippar, etc.Achankovil, Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Chaliyar, Pamba, Chalakkudy, etc.
BordersKerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Highest mountain peakDoddabetta peak (2,637 m)Anamudi (2,695 m)
Forest cover (2021)20.31 %54.70%
Largest districtDindigulIdukki
CoastlineYesYes
International borderNoNo

(Also read: The highest peak in South India – Anamudi | other high peaks)

State symbols

Tamil NaduKerala
State treeAsian palmyra palmCoconut tree
State animalNilgiri tahrIndian elephant
State birdEmerald DoveGreat hornbill
State flowerFlame lilyKanikonna

Places to visit in Tamil Nadu
Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (A UNESCO World Heritage SIte)

Ooty, Brihadeeswara Temple, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Kodaikanal, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Coimbatore, etc.

Places to visit in Kerala
Backwaters of Kerala
Backwaters of Kerala

Munnar, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kovalam, Wayanad, Kozhikode, etc.

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