Kerala, one of the smallest states in the Republic of India, was formed in 1956. It has an area of 15,005 sq. miles. [38,863 sq. km.], about one percent of the total land area of India.

The state stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar coast on the western side of the Indian peninsula; its width varies from 20 to 75 miles. It is bordered by the states of Karnataka on the north, Tamil Nadu to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west (map). The state has 14 districts and the capital is in Trivandrum [now Thiruvananthapuram].

Season  
October - March  

Clothing
Cotton casuals will be ideal. Woollens could come in handy in the hill stations.

Languages
Malayalam is the State language. But most of the people are fluent in English. Some also understand French and German.

Currency, Credit Cards
The Rupee is the Indian Currency. 100 paise make a rupee. The rupee comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. A wide range of credit cards are accepted in Kerala.

Literacy rate : 100% (approx.)

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Kerala is a land of great natural beauty. From the majestic heights of the Western Ghats the country undulates westward presenting a vista of silent valleys clothed in the richest green. Among the many rivers that glide across the plains to merge their waters with the Arabian sea, the more important are the Periyar, the Pamba and the Bharatha puzha. The elegant waterfalls at Athirampally near Thrissur is a popular tourist spot. Along the coast, sand dunes shelter a linked chain of lagoons and backwaters, the still waters of which are studded with sea-gulls and country canoes plying at a snail's pace. The silence of the clear skies is broken only by the call of the koels, a type of cuckoo, and the frequent flutter of cranes perched on the embankments. The highest peak of peninsular India Annai Mudi is located in this state. The scenic Thekkady Wild Life Sanctuary is a popular vacation destination for nature lovers.
Climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The temperature normally ranges from 80 to 90 F in the plains but drops to about 70 F in the highlands. The state gets its due share of both the southwest as well as the northeast monsoons and the rainfall is heavy, averaging around 118 inches annually.