Static Awareness: An Insight Into The Indian States

(KERALA)
Dear Readers,

Today, we are discussing the state Kerala

(God's own century)

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and
networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the
most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene
beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife.
Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art
forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer
you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two hour
drive from the other - a singular advantage no other destination offers.

Geographical view:
Area: 38,863 km

Land Structure: The topography consists of a hot and wet coastal plain gradually rising in
elevation to the high hills and mountains of the Western Ghats.

Main Crops: Cash Crops like coconut, rubber, tea, coffee, pepper, cardamom, areca nut, ginger,
nutmeg, cinnamon etc
food crops paddy tapioca etc
Climate: humid tropical wet climate

Main minerals: Heavy Mineral Sands ( Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon, Monazite, Sillimanite) ,Gold, Iron ore,
Bauxite, Graphite, China Clay, Fire Clay, Tile and Brick Clay, Silica Sand, Lignite, Limestone,
Limeshell, Dimension Stone (Granite), Gemstones, Magnesite, Steatite etc. However, mining
activities on large scale are confined mainly to a few minerals - Heavy Mineral Sands, China Clay and
to a lesser extent Limestone/Limeshell, Silica Sand and Granite. In fact, Heavy mineral sand and
China Clay contribute more than 90% of the total value of mineral production in the State.
 River and dams:
Dams
Sl.No. Dam River Nearest City Purpose/Project
1. Idukki Periyar Devikolam Hydroelectric
(Eb)/Idukki
Arch Dam
2. Periyar Dam Periyar Idduki Hydroelectric,Irrigation
3. Chimoni (Id) Chimoni Mukundapuram Irrigation
Dam
4. Sholayar chalakudy Theissur Hydroelectric
(Main ) (Eb)
Dam
5. Moozhiyar Moozhiyar Pathanamthita Hydroelectric, Irrigation
Spillway
Dam

Rivers

Sl.No. River
1. Periyar
2. Bharathapuzha
3. Pampa
4. Manimala
5. Chalakudy
6. Kabini
7. Chandragiri
8. Moozhiyar
9. Chimoni

Lakes

Sl.No. Lake Located in/near

1. Sasthamkotta Lake Kollam
2. Vembanad Lake Kottayam

3. The Ashtamudi Lake Koolam

4. Akkulam Lake Thiruvanthapuram
 Important Festivals:

Sl.No. Festival Name Remarks

1. Onam Kerala's harvest festival
2. Vishu most auspicious day to start anything new
3. Cochin Carnival a tradition inherited from Portuguese

National Parks:
Name of National Special Species Important Remarks
Park (if any
important)
Eravikulam an abode to the situated in the Idukki district along
National Park Nilgiri Tahr (an the Western Ghats
endangered
mountain goat)
Silent Valley natural and unspoilt rainforests in
National Park the entire subcontinent
Chinnar Wildlife Grizzled Giant dry thorny forest in good numbers
Sanctuary Squirrels
Kumarakom Bird migratory birds it is located on the eastern bank of
Sanctuary like Siberian the Vembanad Lake largest
Stork, Darter, freshwater lake in Kerala and
Teal and Egret longest in India
Periyar Wildlife Tiger reserve The park encircles the 26 sq km
Sanctuary and Asian lake
elephant
Thattekkad Bird Jungle Fowl, Salim Ali, declared the park as the
Sanctuary Shrike, Sunbird richest bird habitat on peninsular
India
Wayanad recognised under important part of the Nilgiri
Sanctuary Protect Elephant Biosphere Reserve
project
Idukki Wildlife Asias 14th largest arch dam,
Sanctuary Idukki Arch Dam, which adds to
the thrill of touring a wildlife
sanctuary
 Nick Names of cities
Sl.No. City Nick Name Famous
1 Ernakulam (Cochin) Queen of the Arabian Right from the distant
Sea past, the Arabs,
Chinese, Portuguese,
British and the Dutch
have left deep-seated
marks on the history and
development of Cochin
2 Idukki Idukki Arch Dam,
Wildlife Sanctuaries,
Spice Plantation Tours
and Elephant Rides
3 Kannur crown of Kerala This place is the melting
Jawaharlal Nehru pot of many cultures,
referred to as the religions and traditions
'Garden of India
4 kollam Indian cashewnuts are
processed and traded
5 Kottayam 100% literacy

6 Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum built on seven hills and

is the capital of Kerala,
God's own country.

Famous temple:
 Sl.No Monument/Temple/Sites Located in Remarks
1 Rock cut cave
2 Umbrella prehistoric site Thrissur
3 Jain Temple Wynad

4 Burial Cave Thrissur

5 Srikoil of the Vishnu Thrissur 29 Wooden Bracket
temple Figures on the outer
wall

6 Kailasanatha temple Thrissur Mural paintings on the

wall

Thermal Power plants in Kerala:

Name of Thermal Location Important Remarks
Power Plant
Brahmapuram Kochi Oil based powerplant
Powerplant
Kayamkulam Alappuzha Naphtha used as fuel
Powerplany
Kozhikode Power Nallalam Diesel based
plant Kozhikode

Administrative view:
Foundation date : October 31, 1956,
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor: P. Sathasivam
District:14
High Court: Kerala Unnatha Nyayalayam at Kochi, Ernakulam.
Number of MLA: 140
Number of MP in LokShabha: 20
Number of MP in Rajyasabha: 9

Economical View:
Sources of Irrigation: The major source of irrigation is wells (30%),
government canals (26%), tanks (11%) and private canals (1.125)
respectively

Others:
principal language: Malyalam
State population: 34.8 million
 Important dances:
Mohiniyattam
Kathakali
Kolkali
Koodiyattam
Thirvathirakali

Main Airports:
Trivandrum International Airport Thiruvananthapuram
Kannur International Airport Kannur
Cochin International Airport Kochi
Calicut International Airport Karipur

Ports:
Cochin Port
Kottayam Port and Container Terminal
Vizhinjam International Seaport
Kozhikkode Port

Interesting Facts About Kerala

1. First literate state of India

2. First state to implement land reform bills and education reform bills
3. Lower birth rate
4. Least infant mortality
5. State with maximum life expectancy
6. The only state with the facilities of hospitals in every village
7. Excellent communication infrastructure.
8. One among the states where Air, Water and Road are used as the media for
transportation.
9. India's first defence Industrial Park in Kerala
10. The Sex Ratio in Kerala is 1084 female for each 1000 male