Kerala

 Capital: - Thiruvananthapuram
 Formed in: - 1 November 1956
 Districts: - 14
 Language: - Malayalam
 Known as/for: -
 The lowest positive population growth rate in India
 Highest in sex ratio - 1084: 1000
 Second highest in literacy rate (First - Tripura)
 Known as "God's Own Country" coined by the
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation,
encapsulates the state's natural beauty, lush
landscapes, serene backwaters, pristine beaches, and
rich cultural heritage, presenting it as a divine
paradise on Earth.
 Nickname: Spice Garden of India God’s own Country,
Land of Backwaters.
 Kochi (Cochin):
 "Queen of the Arabian Sea": This is its most
famous moniker, highlighting its historical
importance as a major port city and its beauty.
 "Gateway to Kerala": Often used due to its
international airport and port serving as a primary
entry point to the state.
 Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum):
 "Evergreen City of India": Coined by Mahatma
Gandhi, this name reflects its lush greenery and
numerous parks.
 "God's Own Capital": A play on Kerala's tourism
tagline, emphasizing its status as the state capital.

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  Kozhikode (Calicut):
 "City of Spices": Historically significant for its
role in the spice trade, attracting traders like
Vasco da Gama.
 "City of Zamorins": Referring to the powerful
hereditary rulers who governed the region.
 Alappuzha (Alleppey):
 "Venice of the East": Its intricate network of
backwaters, canals, and houseboats draws
comparisons to Venice, Italy.
 Thrissur:
 "Cultural Capital of Kerala": Known for its rich
cultural heritage, numerous temples, and vibrant
festivals like Thrissur Pooram.
 "Land of Poorams": Due to the grand temple
festivals, especially Thrissur Pooram.
 Kottayam:
 "City of Letters" / "Land of Lakes, Latex and
Letters": Known for its significant contribution to
Malayalam literature and journalism, as well as
being a major center for rubber production (latex)
and its many lakes.
 Kannur:
 "City of Looms and Lores": Famous for its
handloom industry and rich folklore, including
Theyyam performances.
 Malappuram:
 "Football Capital of Kerala": Widely recognized
for its immense passion for football and producing
many talented players.
 Area: 15,005 square miles (38,863 square km).

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 Forest Area: The total forest area in the state is 10,336
km2 (3,991 sq mi) (1995), forming 27.83 % of the total
geographic area.
 Limits: -
 Eastern limit: high hill ranges of the Sahyadris
 Western limit: Arabian Sea (Lakshadweep Sea)
 Northern limit: Padne village
 Southern limit: Parassa
 Borders: -
 Karnataka to the North and Northeast.
 Tamil Nadu to the East and South.
 The Arabian Sea (also known as the Laccadive Sea)
to the west.
 Mahe, a segment of the Union Territory of
Puducherry, on its North western coast.
 Governor:
 First Governor was Shri P.S. Rao
 Present Governor is Shri Rajendra Arlekar
 Chief Minister:
 First Chief Minister was Shri E. M. S. Namboodiripad
 Present Chief Minister is Shri Pinarayi Vijayan
(CPI(M))
 Legislature: Unicameral
 Assembly (140 seats)
 Parliamentary constituency:
 Rajya Sabha (9)
 Lok Sabha (20)
 Physical Characteristics: -
 Kerala is divided into three geographical regions-
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  Highlands  Lowlands
 Midlands
 Natural Vegetation: - Tropical evergreen forest, tropical
deciduous forest
 Major Rivers: -
 Periyar flowing from Chokkampatti Mala (Kerala) to
the Kodangalloor Lake
 Bharathapuzha (Nila) flowing from Anamalai (Tamil
Nadu) to the Arabian Sea
 Pamba flowing from Peermedu (Idukki, Kerala) to the
Vembanad Lake
 Lakes: -
 Ashtamudi lake,  Veeranpuzha lake
 Kollam district  Vellayani lake
 Punnamada lake  Paravur Kayal lake
 Vembanadu lake  Sasthamkotta lake
 Akkulamlake  Pookode lake,
 Mananchira lake  Wayanad district
 Water Falls:
 Adyanpara falls,  Athirappilly falls
Nilambur Taluk district  Aripara falls
 Alakapuri falls, Kannur  Attukad falls
district  Chellarkovil falls
 Aruvikkuzhi falls  Cheeyappara falls
 Thermal Power Plant:
 Brahmapuram Power Plant
 Kozhikode DG
 Rajiv Gandhi CCPP

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 Major Regional Festivals: -
 Onam (It is most important harvest festival of Kerala
celebrated in the Month of September),
 Vishu (New year of Kerala),
 Alpashi Utsavam (It is the annual bathing ritual od deities
in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple)
 Thiruvathira,
 Thrissur Pooram,
 Christamas
 Major Art Forms: - Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Chakyar
Koothu, Theyyam, Ottamthullal, Nangiar Koothu,
Koodiyattam, Panchavadyam, Margomkali
 Important Tradition: - Vallam Kali (traditional boat race),
Anayottam (elephant race)
 Industry: - Coir, Marine Products, Food Products,
Handicrafts
 Minerals: - Bauxite, gold, iron, uranium, thorium, lime
stone
 Agriculture: - Coconut, Rubber, Tea, Coffee, Cashew,
Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Rice, Tapioca
 Geographical Indications: - Palakkadan Matta Rice,
Aranmula Kannadi, Alleppey Coir, Navara rice,
Changalikodan Nendran banana, Malabar Pepper, Alleppey
Green Cardamom, Maddalam of Palakkad, Screw Pine
Craft, Brass broidered coconut shell craft, Pokkali Rice,
Vazhakulam pineapple, Kuthampally dhoties and set
mundu, Central Travancore Jaggery, Wayanad Jeerakasala
Rice, Wayanad Gandhakasala Rice, Payyannur Pavithra
Ring

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 State Animal: Indian elephant
 State Bird: Great hornbill
 State Flower: Golden shower tree’s flower
 State Tree: Golden shower or Kanikkonna (Cassia Fistula)
 Important Historical sites: - Bekal Fort, Palakkad Fort,
Jewish Synagogue, Padmanabhapuram Palace
 World Heritage Sites: - Various sites in the Western Ghats
(Inscribed in UNESCO list in 2012)
 Major Ramsar Sites: - Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta
Lake, Vembanad-Kol Wetland
 Biodiversity Hotspots: - The Western Ghats
 Endemic Bird Areas: - The Western Ghats
 Bird Sanctuaries: -
 Thattekad BS,  Kumarakom BS,
 Kadalundi BS,  Mangalavanam BS.
 National Parks: -
 Eravikulam NP  Mathikettan Shola NP
 Periyar NP  Anamudi Shola NP
 Silent Valley NP  Pambadum Shola NP
 Biosphere Reserve: -
 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve,
 Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: -
 Periyar WS,  Chimmony WS,
 Neyyar WS,  Shenduruny WS,
 Peechi-Vazhani WS,  Chinnar WS,
 Parambikulam WS,  Aralam WS,
 Idukki WS,  Kurinjimala WS
 Peppara WS,

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 Tiger Reserve: -
 Periyar Tiger Reserve,
 Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
 Major Endemic Organisms: -
 Plants: Neelakurinji
 Animal: Nilgiri ibex (Nilgiri Tahr), Lion-tailed macaque
 Famous Airports:
 Kannur International Airport, Kannur
 Cochin International Airport, Kochi
 Kollam Airport, Kollam
 Sabarigiri International Airport, Kozhikode
Malappuram
 Thiruvambady International Airport,
Thiruvananthapuram
 Famous Seaport:
 Calicut, Kozhikode
 Kannur seaport, Kannur
 Manjeswaram seaport, Kasargod
 Neeleswaram seaport, Kasargod
 Famous Stadium:
 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
 Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Kollam
 Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
 Maharaja's College Stadium, Kochi
 Tribes: Adiyars, Adigals, Aranadan, Eravallan,
Cholanaikkan, Hill Pulaya, Irular, Kadar, Kanikkar,
Kattunayakan, Karimpalan, Malasar, Wayanad Kadar
 Nick Name of the cities: -
 Kochi: - Queen of Arabian Sea, financial capital of Kerala
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  Thiruvananthapuram: - the evergreen city of India
 Kozhikode: - City of Spices
 Kannur: - city of looms and lores
 Kollam: - cashew capital of the world
 Alappuzha: - Venice of the East
 Kasaragod: - land of seven languages, Harakwillia
 Malappuram: - Soccer capital
 Wayanad: - God’s own district
 Notes: -
 Kerala wins United Nations Award for Control of Non-
Communicable Diseases.
 “Dream Kerala Project” launched for Keralites returning
from abroad.
 Karmi Bot Launched in Kerala Hospital.
 Kerala launched ‘Safe homes’ initiative.
 Reshma Mariyam Roy, a CPI(M) leader, is all set to
head the Aruvappulam panchayat in Pathanamthitta
district.
 Reshma Mariyam Roy, a CPI(M) leader, is all set to
head the Aruvappulam panchayat in Pathanamthitta
district.
 Kerala is strengthening its disaster preparedness by
introducing localized early warning systems and
focusing on scientific land use to mitigate climate
change impacts. In response to the 2024 Wayanad
landslides, the state is developing more relief
infrastructure.