|
|
Life in Kerala
The State of Kerala is a long,
narrow coastal belt of lowland, about 16 to 19 kms wide, in the southwestern
part of India. Towards its South lies the Indian Ocean and to the West is the
Arabian Sea. On the East, is the Western Ghats, a highland area with elevations
of approximately 2134m (7000ft) with numerous streams and rivers
that present some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable.
Towards the North lies the State of Karnataka.
With so much water
all around, Kerala has an amazing string of inter-connected waterways and some
the most fertile alluvial plains, which are about 48 to 64 km (about 30 to 40
miles) in width.
 |
Its climate hardly changes
throughout the year. The average temperature in the coastal area is 32°C
(90°F). In the highlands the average temperature is 21°C (70°F). Annual
rainfall is about 3000mm (approx. 120inches), falling mostly during the
monsoon season between the months of June and November each year.
Agriculture is an
important means of livelihood in this fertile region. The principal agricultural
products of the state include rice, tapioca, coconut, areca nuts, oilseeds,
pepper, sugarcane, rubber, tea, coffee, and cardamom (an Indian spice); almost
all the Indian black pepper and rubber products come from Kerala.
|
Much of the produce is transported
along the waterways, in indigenous country crafts called ‘valloms’
that come in various shapes and sizes.
Other privately-owned industries include the processing of cashew and
the manufacture of coir, a coconut-husk fiber. Tiles, textiles, ceramics,
fertilizers and chemicals, and glass are some of the other manufactures.
In addition, numerous factories process agricultural and mineral products,
including graphite, limestone, mica, white clay, and iron ore for the
state. Fishing is another flourishing activity of the state.
Malayalam,
a Dravidian language, is the local dialect, and the people of Kerala are
referred to as ‘Malayalis’. Though it is one of the smallest States in the
country, covering an area of only 38,864 sqkms (15,005 sq. miles), it is
one of the most densely populated. It is not surprising, that its people
are therefore highly enterprising, unafraid to venture out as migrants and
settlers to almost all parts of the world. In fact, there is a saying:
“Throw a stone up anywhere on earth and it is bound to fall on a
Malayali’s head".
Kerala has a literacy rate of above 90 percent, the highest among any of
the Indian states. Universities located in Kerala include the University
of Kerala (founded in 1937) in Thiruvananthapuram, The Kerala Agricultural
University (1972) in Thrissur, The Calicut University in Kozhikode and the
Mahatma Gandhi University (1983) in Kottayam. About 60 percent of Kerala's
population is made up of Hindus; 20 percent by Christians and another 20
percent by Muslims.
 |
Back |
Next |
 |
|
|
