KERALA
Kerala (help·info) or Keralam (Malayalam: കേരളം, Kēraḷam) is an Indian state located on theMalabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act, and it combined various Malayalam speaking regions.The state has an area of 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi) and is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the south and southeast and the Arabian Sea[note] towards the west. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city. Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities. As per a survey by The Economic Times, five out of ten best cities to live in India are located in Kerala[4].
Kerala is a popular tourist destination for its backwaters, yoga, Ayurvedic treatments[5] and tropical greenery. Kerala has the highest Human Development Index in India, comparable with that of first world nations but with a much lower per capita income.[6][7] The state has a literacy rate of 94.59 percent,[2] also the highest in India. A survey conducted in 2005 byTransparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country.[8] Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countriesduring the Kerala Gulf boom, and is heavily dependent on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Kerala
Kerala is situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast. Kerala is one of the most popular[weasel words] tourist destinations in India. Its unique[peacock term] culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demographics, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. National Geographic's Traveller magazine names Kerala as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 must see destinations of a lifetime". Travel and Leisure names Kerala as "One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century".[175][176]
Until the early 1980s, Kerala was a relatively unknown destination;[177] most tourist circuits focused on North India. Aggressive marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state, laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry.[citation needed] In the decades[which?] that followed, Kerala's tourism industry was able to transform the state into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tagline Kerala- God's Own Country has been widely[weasel words] used in Kerala's tourism promotions and soon became synonymous[peacock term] with the state. In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourist arrivals, an increase of 23.68% over the previous year, making the state one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.[178]
The state's tourism industry is a major contributor to the state's economy which is currently growing at a rate of 13.31%.[179]
Kerala is known for its ecotourism initiatives.[180][181] The Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai, Varkala, Kappad, Muzhappilangad and Bekal; the hill stations ofMunnar, Wayanad, Wagamon, Peermade, Nelliampathi and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park.[citation needed] The "backwaters" region, which comprises an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August), also see heavy[weasel words] tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are popular centres for their shopping and traditional theatrical performances respectively[citation needed]. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram is conducted, attracting foreign tourists who are largely drawn by the festival's elephants and celebrants.[182] The main pilgrim tourist spots of Kerala are Sabarimala Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram), Padanilam Parabrahma Temple(Mavelikkara), Chettikulangara Temple, Vadakumnathan Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Sarkara Devi Temple, Malayattor Church and Parumala Church.
