India's most idyllic state, Kerala
{better known as God's Own Country} is today one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Secluded
beaches, palm fringed backwaters, most clad
hill stations, lush tropical forests, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, monuments, art forms and festivals give it a distinctive charm.
The National Geographic Traveler famously listed
Kerala as one of the " 50 places of a
lifetime" among its millennium destinations.
Magazines like Cosmopolitan and Travel &
Leisure have referred to Kerala as "one of
the ten love nests in India" and "a
paradise to have the best breakfast in the
world".
Apart from being a tourist destination, Kerala is also India's most advanced society. 100% literate, the State has India's highest density of science and technology personnel. India's highest Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI). India's highest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rates. And in India's cleanest, most peaceful State.
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More About Kerala
Kerala At
A Glance
Location
Southwest tip of India's main land.
Capital
Thiruvananthapuram
((Previously known as Trivandrum)
Area
38, 863 sq kms
(1.27 per cent of India's land area)
Population
31.838
Millions. (2001 Census)
Density of Population
819 per sq kms
Airports
There are three international airports in the state. They are at
Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) operates international flights and domestic flights.
Seaports
Major : Kochi
Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha and Kollam
Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwaters mainly cover four districts of the State-Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The largest backwater body, the Vembanad Lake flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port. The
Ashtamudi Lake, The second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride (eight hours) and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
Major Wild Life Sanctuaries
Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley,
Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny,
Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara and Neyyar.
Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice.
Exports
Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products
Major Industries
Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Buildings, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.
Sex Ratio
1058 women for 1000 men
Literacy Rate
90.92 per
cent.
(Male Literacy Rate : 94.2 per cent Female Literacy Rate : 86.17 per cent)
Physical Quality of Life Index
(PQLI)
Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like infant mortality (14%), female literacy (87%), and life expectancy at birth for males (69) and females (72), are well above all India levels. The major reason for this achievement is Kerala's focus on the service sector. About 37% of the total annual expenditure of the State is earmarked for health and education. Another reason for this is the existence of a larger network of health infrastructure with 961 primary health centres and 5094 sub centers.
Health Care Infrastructure
Immunization has been near total in the year 1996 - 97. T.T for Pregnant Women : 87% DT for 5 year old : 63.9% T.T for 10 year old : 61.4% T.T for 16 year old : 59.1%
DPT, BCG, Polio for Infants : 100% Anti-measles : 91.5% Rate of Diseases per 1000 People - Leprosy : 0.22 Malaria : 0.36 Filaria : 0.34 Tuberculosis : 0.13
