In the year 1956, when the states were reorganized, Kerala was formed after tying the princely states of Travancore and Cochin with Malabar, a province under the then Madras state.
Kerala may be divided into three geographical regions: (1) High lands, (2) Midlands and (3) Lowlands. The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 meters with a number of peaks well over 1800 meters in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, green cardamom and other world famous Indian spices. The Midlands, lying between the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of rising and falling hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew nuts, coconut, areca nut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetables of myriad varieties are extensively grown in this area.
Kerala, being the land of of lush greenery and innumerable coconut trees, is a purified world. A big, spreading tree purifies as much air as a room air-conditioner and is never switched off. The prolific, bustling, vegetation acts like a massive, biological, air-filtration plant working round the clock, round the year. Thus, spending your memorable days in Kerala countryside is equivalent to spending your days in an air- purified environment, at times better than the air conditioned room. Such is the rejuvenating effect of the lush greenery of the state.
The thick growth of lush green trees makes Kerala a health fanatic's heaven. The four month-long, heavy monsoon rains and recurrent flurry make this land a perfect nursery for all living beings. By just strolling around and resting under the canopy of the foliage, you will feel rejuvenated. Thus, on a journey / break in Kerala, away from the rough life, hustle and bustle of cities, you're breathing fresh natural non polluted air all times there by improving your health considerably.
Another piece de resistance of Kerala are the meandering rivers, which criss-cross the entire state like that of a human physique's blood veins. Besides, water bodies tucked away in thick forests also enhance the amazing beauty of the state. They fertilize the land; turn waste into the wealth of the rich, black, alluvial soil on which the agrarian state thrives.
The Lowlands or the coastal area, made up of river deltas, backwaters and the Arabian coast, is essentially a land of coconuts and rice. Fisheries and coir industry constitute the major industries of this area.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers (41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing} criss-cross the state's geographical area along with countless small rivuets. During summer, these monsoon-fed rivers turn into rivulets especially in the upper parts of Kerala.
Backwaters are an attractive, economically valuable feature of Kerala. These include lakes and ocean in lets which stretch irregularly along the Kerala coast. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad Lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.
The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers drain into this lake. The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadhinam kulam, Anjengo (Anju Thengu), Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor. Ashtamudi (Quilon).
Flora:
Kerala has over 25% of India's 15,000 plant species. Among them include endangered and rare species, flowering plants, fungi's, lichens and mosses. The state's forest wealth includes tropical wet evergreen, semi-green and tropical most deciduous. Teak, Mahagoney, Rosewood and Sandalwood are common; the forests abound with orchids, anthirium, balsam, and medicinal plants. Banyan figs, bamboo as well as 40,000 years old grasslands. Mangroves are seen in coastal areas and low, morass lands. So fertile is the state, thanks to rivers and dams that are replenished by copious rain in Western Ghats.
Weather in Kerala
Surrounded by the azure waters of the sea and shaded by the leafy coconut trees that surround the entirety of the province of Kerala, a trip to Kerala is the best recipe possible if you are aiming for a dream vacation. Located on the south eastern corner of India, Kerala is the epitome a climate that is tropical with a vengeance. The climate of Kerala changes to some extent with the season and thus, it is essential to know the weather of Kerala while choosing the best time to visit Kerala.
