KERALA

Kerala : ['keːɹəˌɭɐ]; Kēraḷaṁ, Written as േകരളം in the native language Malayalam) is a state on the Western Coast of south-western India. To its east and north-east, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; to its west lies the Arabian Sea and to its south the Indian Ocean islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. Kerala envelops Mahé, a coastal exclave of Pondicherry. Kerala is one of four states that compose the linguistic-cultural region known as South India.First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region. Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. Finally, the States Reorganisation Act of November 1, 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-Independence governments, making Kerala among the longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-equitable, and most literate regions outside of the developed countries.

The state government headquarters of Kerala is at the city of Thiruvananthapuram. However to facilitate administrative convenience the state has been divided into 14 districts. Despite its natural plenty, Kerala is a highly urbanized state. The state is unique in the sense it has retained its traditional and cultural background at the face of such urbanization. The fast developing cities have not destroyed the natural habitat of the region but have only provided support to civilization and administration. These Districts of Kerala are as follows:

North Kerala:
Kannur
Kasargod
Kozhikode
Mallapuram
Wayanad

Central Kerala:
Eranakulam
Idukki.
Palakkad
Thrissur

South Kerala:
Alappuzha
Kollam
Kottayam
Pathanamthitta
Thiruvananthapuram

Some major Cities of Kerala are:

Alappuzha
Alleppy
Bekal
Eranakulam
Kannur
Kochi
Kottayam
Kovalam
Kozhikode
Kumarakom
Malampuzha
Munnar
Palakkad
Periyar
Thekkady
Thiruvananthapuram
Thripunithura
Thrissur

Varkala

These districts and cities of Kerala serve as centers of higher education and cultural development. They house the temples and religious institutions which form the basis of social life in Kerala.