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State of Kerala, the Present Day

Political Map of Kerala

Districts of Kerala

--1. Thiruvananthapuram --2. Kollam------------------- --3. Pathanamthitta-------- --4. Alappuzha -------------- --5. Kottayam --------------- --6. Idukki ------------------- --7. Ernakulam ----------- ----8. Thrissur ----------------- --9. Palakkad --------------- 10. Malappuram ----------- 11. Kozhikode -------------- 12. Wayanad ---------------- 13. Kannur ------------------ 14. Kasargod --------------- U.T- Lakshadweep ------ (Union Territory of India)

Thiruvananthapuram

AREA : 2,192 sq. k.m------------------------ POPULATION : 2,938,583------------------

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Thiruvananthapuram, lying on the southwest coast of India,is the capital of the state of Kerala. The city extends from latitude 8 °29' N to longitude 76°59' E. The place is well connected to most of the other major cities of India through rail, road and air network.
Thiruvananthapuram
The climate of Thiruvananthapuram is tropical, as it is in the other parts of Kerala. It has got a very pleasant weather round the year. The average maximum temperature can go up to 36.2°c in the summer and to a minimum of 18°c in the winter. Monsoon comes in the month of May and reamains there until November.
The city derives its name from the deity at the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple, one of the major landmarks of the place. The name of the city is derived from the words Thiru-Anantha-Puram, meaning the town of Anantha. Although no records of the antiquity of the temple really exists, the temple nevertheless is believed to be several thousands years old.

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Kollam
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AREA : 2,579 sq. km.------------------------ POPULATION : 2,398,285 ---------------
Kollam is encircled by Alappuzha in the north, Pathanamthitta in the northeast, Tamilnadu in the east, Thiruvananthapuram in the south, and the Arabian Sea in the west. It extends latitude 9°28' and longitude 76°17' north.
Kollam
The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and plenty of seasonal rainfall. The summer, lasting from March to May, is followed by the southwest monsoon from June to September. The northeast monsoon occurs from October to November. The rest of the year is generally dry.

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Pathanamthitta
AREA : 2,642 sq.km.------------------------ POPULATION : 1,231,577
The distirict has more or less the same climate condition as prevalent elsewhere in the state. The dry season is from December to February and the hot season is from March to May. The south west monsoon is from June to September and the north west monsoon is from October to November which provide fairly good rain.
Pathanamthitta
Pathanmthitta is frequented by visitors from India and abroad for its water fiestas, religious shrines and its cultural training centre. More than 50% of the total area of this land is covered by forests, making for a scenic landscape.
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Alappuzha
AREA : 1,414 sq. km.-------------------------- POPULATION : 2,105,349
Alappuzha is one of the exotic backwater sites of the state of Kerala. Washed by the Arabian Sea, interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this tiny market place is also famous for Nehru Trophy boat race held every year. Alappuzha attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty but also through its coir products that are of a superior quality.
Alappuzha
The climate of this small town is temperate and humid in general and relatively more pleasant in the winter season. The months from August - Septemeber and February - March are ideal for a visit to this place.
Before the Dutch took over this place, the Portuguese were the predominant rulers of this place. Later Maharaja Marthandavarma came into power and he gave ample importance to the developmental works of the place. Slowly it became a very busy commercial place attracting merchants from all over. Alappuzha is also known as the 'Venice of the East'.
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Kottayam
AREA : 2,204 sq. km. ----------------------- POPULATION : 1,828,271
The best time to visit this place is during the months of August and March when the tropical climate is not so hot and humid. This makes travelling comfortable. Light winter sweaters and a shawl would be enough to meet the chill here.
Kottayam
The word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). Kottayam is one of the exotic backwaters sites attracting tourists throughout the year. Being a mountainous region with scenic landscapes, backwaters, bird sanctuaries, temples and churches make this a place of tourist attraction.
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Idukki
AREA : 5,019 sq. km.--------- -POPULATION : 1,128,605
The climate in the district undergoes a sudden variation as we go from West to East. The western parts of the distirct comprising midland area experiences moderate climate, temperture varying between 21degree C to 27degreeC with minimum seasonal variation.
Idukki
As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable. It provides forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice tours, elephant rides and some of the most spectacular landscapes any where in the world.
The name Idukki is derived from the local word 'Idukku' which literally means narrow gorge. This could be true for narrow steep sided valleys are not a strange phenomenon in this hilly district flanked by the Western Ghats.
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Ernakulam
AREA : 2,408 SQ. KM. ---------------------POPULATION : 2,797,779
Because of its nearness to the sea, the climate of Ernakulam is tropical. This also gives Ernakulam a very pleasant weather round the year. The average maximum temperature can go up to 36.°C in summer months and to a minimum of 18.0°C in the winters. Monsoon comes to Ernakulam in the month of May and remains there until November.

Ernakulam
Ernakulam, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is a cluster of islands networked by lagoons and backwaters. Kochi, the headquarter of Ernakulam is the industrial capital of Kerala. It is also one of the finest natural harobors in the world. No doubt it is called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' Half the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around on the local ferries. A conducted tour through the winding waterways will take you to several quaint spots.
Across the bridge into the old city, there are bastions and streets built by the Portuguese over 500 years ago. It was here in St. Francis Church that the body of Vasco Da Gama was originally buried. The enormous fishing nets on the sea front of Cochin provide a charming view.
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Thrissur
AREA : 3,032 sq. km. -----------------------POPULATION : 2,734,333
The district has a tropical humid climate with an oppressive hot season and plentiful and seasonal rainfall. The hot season from March to May is followed by the South West Monsoon season from June to September. The period from December to February is the North East monsoon season, although the rain stop by the end of December and the rest of the period is generally dry.
Thrissur
The term Thrissur is the abbreviated anglicised from of the Malayalam word "Thrissivaperur" which means the town of the 'Sacred Siva'. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala, with a number of cultural training centres, of which 'Kalamandalam' is the most famous one where traditional performing art forms of Kerala is taught
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Palakkad
AREA : 4,480 sq. km. ----------------------- POPULATION : 2,376,160
The district has a humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to June in the western parts of the district whereas it is less humid in the eastern parts. 75% of the annual rainfall is receieved during the south west monsoon period which starts from mid June and extends upto September.
Palakkad
In the past, this land was known as Palakkattussery Etymologist trace the word Palakkad from Palanilam meaning the dry area. Palakkad has a long history dating back to the Paleolithic Period which was substantiated by a number of megalithic relics discovered from this region.
Palakkad is the land of Palmyrahs and Paddy fields. Along with Alappuzha, Palakkad is a major Paddy growing area of the state. It is often called as the “Gateway of Kerala”. The Sahya Ranges bordering the region and the 32 k.m. long gap in the mountains exert a dominant influence on the climate of the region.
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Malappuram
AREA : 3,548 sq. km. ------- -------------POPULATION : 3,093,190
Malappuram has more or less the same climatic conditions prevalent elsewhere the state, Dry season is from December to February, hot season from March to May, the Southwest Monsoon from June to September and the North East Monsoon from October to November. The South West Monsoon is usually very heavy and nearly 75% of the annual rains is received during this season. The climate is generally hot and humid.
Malappuram
The land of great poets and writers, political and religious leaders, this district has carved a place of it’s own in the history of Kerala. The Kings of Valluvanad, the Zamorins, the Kings of Perumpadappu Swarupam and the Kings of Vettathunadu, were the early rulers. The Portuguese, Mysore sultans and the Britishers had their sway over this place, partly or wholly. But the unique social and cultural heritage is preserved.

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Kozhikode

AREA : 2,345 sq. km. -----------------------POPULATION : 2,612,897

The district has a humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The south west monsoon starts from the first week of June and extends up to September.
Kozhikode
The outer world came to know about India in 1498 when Vasco da Gama came to Kozhikode and obtained permission to carry out trade from here. Quickly in succession came the English and Dutch. Disputes over the control of Calicut continued for a long time until 1792, when the East India Company went into an agreement with the local Zamori rulers to directly administer this area.
Kerala was declared a state in 1956, and today Kozhikode is one of the most important centers of trade and business in this progressive state.
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Wayanad
AREA : 2,132 sq. km. -----------------------POPULATION : 671,195
Wayanad has a salubrious climate. High velocity winds is common during the southwest monsoon and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude regions experience severe cold.
Wayanad
Historians are of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilization can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sultan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures painted on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilization.
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Kannur
AREA : 2,997 sq. km. ----------------------------- POPULATION : 2,224,819
Kannur has a humid climate with an oppressive hot season from March to the end of May. This is followed by the South-West monsoon which continues till the end of September. October and Novermber from the post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season. The North East monsoon which follows, extends up to the end of February, although the rain generally ceases after December.
Kannur
Rock-cut caves and megalithic burial sites of the Neolithic age have come to light in certain parts of the district. During the medieval age, several Arab scholars visited the west coast. Balipatam, Srikantapuram, Dharmadom, bekal and Mount Eli (Ezhimala) are some of the places, which figure prominently in their travelogues.

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Kasargod
AREA : 1,961 sq.km. --------------- POPULATION : 1,070,629
The southwest monsoon starts towards the end of May or the beginning of June, heralded by thunder storms and holds till September when the rain fades out. October brings in the northeast monsoon. Dry weather sets in by the end of December. January and February are the coolest months of the year. March, April and May are generally very hot.
Kasargod
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Lakshadweep
AREA : 32 sq. km. ----------- POPULATION : 52,000
Lakshadweep has a tropical climate, with summer temperatures ranging from 35°c to 22°c and winter temperature between 32°c to 20°c. During monsoons ship-based tourism is closed but helicopter services are available. Some effect of the northeast monsoon is felt in October-November in the form of light transitory showers which cool the place.
Lakshadweep
These islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India, and are the country's only coral islands. The main islands are Kavarrati, Minicoy, and Amini. Kavaratti is the headquarters of these islands, while Bitra is the smallest of all, with a nominal population. About 93 percent of the people in Lakshadweep are Shafi school Muslims of the Sunni sect,and they speak Malayalam which is the official language of Kerala.
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Kasargod Kannur Kozhikode Wayanad Lakshadweep Malappuram Palakkad Thrissur Ernakulam Idukki Kottayam Alappuzha Pathanamthitta Kollam Thiruvananthapuram