Kerala

Kerala - the ancient Sanskrit name of this area, known to Valmiki , Vyasa , and Patanjali , is already found in “ Aitareya-aranyaka ”, “ Matsya-purana ” and “ Markandeya-purana ”, and in several editions of Ashoka under the name Kerala-puto one of its rulers.

In the early Middle Ages, merchants and travelers preferred to call this country, given its mountainous terrain, “the country of the mountains”: Cosma Indikoplov speaks about the country of Male (from mala = mountain), Xuan Zang - about the country of Mole-kyu-cha, al-Biruni and Marco Polo - about Melibar, Al-Qazvini and Ibn Battut - about Malibar, Jordanus - about Molebar ( small paar = land, there . Paar = land, coast, rock, rocky coast, Iranian . Bār, Arabic barr = land, coast ) Folk etymology sometimes turns this word into Manibar ("shore of pepper"), mentioned by al-Idrisi and Rashid ad-Din , or simply - Malabar coast .

The indigenous people of the region call themselves “Malayalas” (lit. “owners of the mountains”), and their country is either Malayalam or Kerala.

Kerala is located in the extreme south of the Indian subcontinent, between the Arab Sea in the west and the Western Ghats (Ghats) in the east. It borders on two Indian states: Tamil Nadu (in the east) and Karnataka (in the northeast). The coastline of the state stretches for 590 km, while its width is only from 35 to 120 km. Three main geographical regions can be distinguished: the elevations of the inner eastern regions, the rolling hills of the central regions and the flat coastal plain in the west. Wild mountain regions are covered with forests, while the more developed ones occupy coffee and tea plantations. The plains are almost entirely occupied by agricultural land. The average height of Western Ghats is 1,500 m, but the height of individual mountains reaches 2,500 m. The highest point in Kerala is Mount Anamudi (2,695 m).

The main rivers of Kerala include the Periyar (244 km), Bharatapuja (209 km), Pamba (176 km), Chaliyar (169 km), Kadalundi (130 km), Valapattanam (129 km) and Achankovil (128 km). The remaining rivers are relatively small, most of them have completely monsoon nutrition. The average length of state rivers is 64 km. A chain of lagoons and lakes stretched along the coast of the Arabian Sea, connected by canals and fed by rivers. The system includes both freshwater and brackish water bodies that have a connection with the Arabian Sea; The region has a unique ecosystem. The largest state lake - Vembanad, has an area of ​​2033 km².

Climate

The climate of Kerala is humid tropical, oceanic, highly dependent on seasonal monsoons. Average annual temperatures range from 25 - 27.5 ° C in the plains to 20 - 22.5 ° C in the eastern highlands. ^{[3] The} average annual rainfall is 3107 mm: from 1250 mm in some lowland regions to 5000 mm in the eastern district of Idukka.

Natural Disasters

Kerala is not affected by such severe and catastrophic floods as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, however, in recent years they have been increasingly occurring. About 25% of the state, where 18% of the population lives, is prone to flooding. Some mountainous areas are prone to landslides. Located almost in the center of the Indian tectonic plate, Kerala, like the neighboring regions, is located in a region of very low tectonic and volcanic activity.

Flora and Fauna

Forests cover 24% of Kerala's territory (about 9,400 km²) and include tropical wet evergreen and more arid tropical broad-leaved forests . There are also mountain subtropical forests . There are 2 objects of the Ramsar Convention in the state: Sasthamcott Lake and the Wembanad Kol Swamps , as well as part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . The Kerala fauna is distinguished by its diversity and a high proportion of endemic species: 102 species of mammals (of which 56 are endemic), 453 species of birds , 202 species of freshwater fish , 169 species of reptiles (139 of them are endemic) and 89 species of amphibians (86 are endemic).

The fauna is represented by such species as: Indian elephant , Bengal tiger , Indian leopard , Nilgirian tar , giant squirrel and many others.

Kerala National Parks:

• Eravikulam : 97 km²
• Periyar : 350 km²
• Silent Valley : 89.52 km²
• Anamudi Shola : 7.5 km²
• Mathikettan Shola : 12.82 km²
• Pampadum Shola : 1.32 km²

In the III century. n e. present Kerala was part of the Dravidian state of Keralaputra . On the Greco-Roman map “Periplus Maris Erythraei” this country is called “Celobotra”. In the 9th-12th centuries Keralaputra was ruled by the Kulasekhar dynasty.

Vasco da Gama's trip to this region in 1498 was largely motivated by the fact that Portugal needed to bring the trade in spices grown in Kerala out of Arab control. Vasco da Gama founded the first Portuguese fortress in India, in Cochin , in 1503, taking advantage of the conflict between the ruling families of Cochin and Calicut, thereby putting an end to the Arab monopoly. However, subsequently this conflict also contributed to the emergence in the region of the Dutch who expelled the Portuguese from their forts.

For many centuries, a caste of stubborn and warlike Nairas (Naiyars) dominated in Kerala ^[4] . And at the Battle of Kulachel (1741), the Dutch were defeated by the Naira from Travankor, commanded by their ruler Marthand Varma .

In the second half of the 18th century, the events of the Mysore Wars unfolded throughout the territory of South India, which were fought against the British by the Mysore ruler Hyder Ali and his son and successor Tipu Sultan . In 1792, the Tupu Sultan was forced to cede to the British the Malabar district (the northern half of modern Kerala). The British also concluded treaties with the rulers of Cochin (1791) and Travankor (1795) on their accession to British India in exchange for autonomy. Malabar, on the other hand, became part of the Madras presidency. During British rule, protests and organized uprisings were not uncommon in Kerala.

- Tells about the vicissitudes of the Naira fate of Guru Balachandran Nair (Guru Balachandran Nair), the head of the Naira Ashram of Kerala (2011).

During the period of British rule in Kerala there were also very serious conflicts of local Muslims and Indians.

After the declaration of independence of India in 1947, the principalities of Travancore and Cochin were united on July 1, 1949 into the state of Travancor-Cochin. The presidency of Madras became the Indian state of Madras. Kerala was created on November 1, 1956 by connecting the Malabar coast of Madras, Travankor-Cochin and Taluk of Kasargod, Dakshin-Kannada County.

In July 2011, a treasury of the Rajas of Travankor was opened in the Hindu temple of Sri Padman (recently transferred to the state balance).

The population of Kerala is 31.8 million (2001), mainly malayal . This represents 3.44% of the total population of India. The population density is 819 people / km², which is more than 2 times more than the national average. The population growth rate is the lowest in India ^[5] . 56.2% of the inhabitants of Kerala profess Hinduism, 24.7% - Islam and 19% - Christianity. Malayalam - the official language of Kerala, is native to 96% of the population, among other languages ​​spoken: Tamil , Kannada , Telugu and Konkani . Kerala is the only state in India where the number of women exceeds the number of men (1,058 women per 1,000 men). Also, here is the highest life expectancy among the states of India (75 years - men, 78 years - women).

• Natural increase: 0.87%
• Fertility: 17.1 per 1000 people
• Mortality: 6.4 per 1000 people
• Child mortality rate: 14.1 per 1000 live births
• Fertility: 1.7 children per 1 woman (lowest in the country)

Kerala has the highest literacy rate among all states in India - 91% ^[6] .

Big cities

• Trivandram - 784 thousand people.
• Cochin - 604 thousand people.
• Kozhikode - 437 thousand people.
• Kollam - 361 thousand people.
• Thrissur - 317 thousand people.
• Alleppey - 177 thousand people.
• Palakkad - 131 thousand people

The state includes 14 counties:

• Alleppey (created in 1957)
• Vayanad (created in 1980)
• Idukki (created in 1972)
• Cannur
• Casaragod (created in 1984)
• Kozhikode (created in 1957)
• Collam
• Kottayam
• Malappuram (established in 1969)
• Palakkad (created in 1957)
• Patanamtitta (created in 1982)
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Thrissur (created in 1949)
• Ernakulam (created in 1958)

Until 1956, the southern part of Kerala was the state of Travancourt-Cochin in four districts: Trivandram (Thiruvananthapuram), Kollam, Kottayam and Thrissur (since 1949). Northern Kerala was part of the state of Madras as Malabar County. In 1956, the state acquired modern borders.

In Kerala, the position of the left forces is strong. In the 1957 election for the state assembly for the first time in the country's history, the Communist Party of India (KPI) led by E. M. Sh . Nambudiripad won. Two coalitions dominate state policy: the center-left United Democratic Front (ODF) (led by the Indian National Congress and also the Muslim League of the Indian Union , the Kerala Congress (M) and a number of smaller parties) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) (led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and also including KPI, Janat gave (secular) , the Nationalist Party of Congress and a number of smaller parties). In May 2016, the LDF won, receiving (together with independent candidates supported by LDF) 91 out of 140 seats in the assembly; 48 seats went to the ODF, 1 place - Bharatiya Janata Party , who first received representation in the state parliament.

List of State Governors:

Kerala ranks first in India in literacy (over 90%). In addition, it is the only state in India where the number of women exceeds the number of men. Almost all telephones were installed in all villages. The above facts are explained mainly by the policies pursued by the communist governments of the state, as well as by a high proportion of Christians (he founded the oldest Christian community in India in Kerala in the 4th century. Thomas Kansky ).

Economically, however, Kerala is not an advanced state. Despite the land reforms carried out by the communists in the 1960s and the very low (compared with the rest of India) population growth rates, the problem of agrarian overpopulation in the state is very acute. Industry is poorly developed, especially compared to neighboring Tamil Nadu . Of the agricultural sectors, rubber , coconut, banana, cashew nuts , copra processing and fishing are the most developed.

Cochin's international container transport terminal is the largest in India. A shipyard and one of the largest refineries in southern India are located in Cochin.

A significant part of the state’s income comes from remittances from abroad (Keralans, due to their relatively high level of education, make up a very significant proportion of Indian workers in Arab countries). Tourism is also an essential component of the state’s economy. In addition to a beach holiday, tourists are attracted by nature reserves, as well as traditional medical clinics.

Kerala has 145,704 km of roads, 1,524 km of which are national routes. The state’s west coast serves NH 47 and NH 17 . The density of the road network is significantly higher than the Indian average. The southern railway zone of India connects all the main cities of Kerala. There are 3 international airports: Trivandrum , Cochin and Calicut.

The culture of Kerala has the ancient influences of the culture of neighboring regions, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, later it was also enriched by the influences of Middle Eastern and European cultures.

The traditional form of the Malayal theater is called Kutiyattam . The name itself can be translated as "combined action", it is believed that this type of production is already about 2 thousand years old, apparently this is the last surviving example of the ancient Sanskrit theater. This art form is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of oral and intangible cultural heritage . Other types of traditional theatrical and dance art include: kathakali (from the words: katha “story” and kali “production”), kathu, mohini-attam , theyyam, otthamthullal, padayani, etc. In addition, there are types of production with a more religious connotation, or inherent only to small breeding education.

The musical traditions of Kerala also date back to ancient times, the most widely spread is the so-called Karnat music . Such musical works are distinguished by religious and partly philosophical content, great emphasis is placed on rhythm.

Malayalam - the most common language of Kerala, belongs to the Dravidian family of languages. It is one of the 22 official languages ​​of India, in all, more than 35 million people speak Malayalam. Malayalam literature is also rooted in the Middle Ages, including the so-called 14th-century Niranam poets (Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar and Rama Panikkar). The formation of the literary language of Malayalam was greatly facilitated by such a poet and linguist of the XVII century as Tundzhattu Ezhuttachchan. An important contribution to Malayal prose was made by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar (1736-1799) and Kerala Varma Valiakoy Thampuran (1845-1914). Literary figures such as Kumaran Asan, Vallatol Narayana Menon and Ullur S. Paramesvara Hyer laid the foundation for modern Malayal poetry, more lyrical and far from archaic traditions. The novel " God of the Little Things " by the writer Arundati Roy was awarded the Booker Prize in 1997.

Kerala is one of the most popular parts of India among tourists. The tropical climate of the Malabar coast, lush vegetation, the unique culture and traditions of the region attract a huge number of visitors from abroad. National Geographic Traveler magazine named Kerala one of the "ten paradises of the world" and one of the "50 places to visit in life." ^[7]

Until the 1980s, Kerala was almost unknown among tourists, the main tourist routes of India were then concentrated in the north of the country. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation ( Kerala ) has laid the foundation for the development and growth of the tourism industry in the region. In 2010, the state was visited by 0.66 million foreign tourists. ^[8] The tourism industry is becoming an important part of the state economy. Kerala has about 550 km of the coast of the Arabian Sea, a significant part of it is occupied by sandy beaches. The most popular beaches for tourists in the cities of Kovalam, Alleppey , Varkala, Cherai, Kannur, etc. Tourists are also attracted by the system of lagoons and lakes that stretch along the coast, as well as the nature of the region’s tropical forests.

In the state capital, there is one of the oldest Hindu temples Padmanabhaswami-Mandir (III millennium BC) and the residence of the former Maharaja Travankor-Kochin. In the city of Cochin - the oldest in India Kochin synagogue ( 1568 ).

State higher education institutions include:

• Mahatma Gandhi University (Cottayam)
• University of Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram)
• Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cochin)
• University of Calicut (Kozhikode)
• Kerala Agricultural University (Thrissur)
• Kannur University (Kannur)
• Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Cochin)
• Central University of Kerala (Kasaragod)
• Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Cochin)
• National Institute of Technology Calicut (Kozhikode) and others.

Most newspapers print in Malayalam and English. Major Malayalam newspapers include Madhyamam , Mathrubhumi , Malayala Manorama , Mangalam , Deepika , Kerala Kaumudi , and Desabhimani . Television is presented by Doordarshan state television company and many cable channels in Malayalam, English and other languages. Popular small-language channels: “ Asianet ”, “ Surya TV ”, “ Kairali TV ”, Safari TV “ Manorama News ”, “ Kiran ”, “ Kairali People ”, “ Amrita TV ”, etc. Cellular communication is provided by operators: ““ BSNL ” , “ Reliance Infocomm ,” “ Tata Indicom ,” “ Idea ,” “ Hutch, ” and “ Airtel .”

• Official Web Portal of the Government
• Chief Minister of Kerala
• State Police
• Kerala at Wikiguide
• North Kerala in photos