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» Introduction
» Natural Divisions
» Geographical Isolation
» Formation of kerala
» Kerala Climate
Kerala is one of the smallest states in the Indian Union. Its area 38.855 square kilometers is just 1.3 percent of the total area of India. The land of India comprises the narrow coastal strip bounded by the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. In the words of Sreedhara Menon “Its unique geographical position and peculiar physical features have invested Kerala with a distinct individuality.” Hence it has played a vital role in the commercial and cultural history of India. Kerala has been described “as the favorite child of nature.” Like Kashmir in the north, Kerala in the south is famous for its breath-taking natural beauty.
With its evergreen mountains, dense forests stately palms, swift flowing rivers, extensive backwaters and blue lagoons, it looks like a fairyland. This atmosphere of beauty and peace has nurtured religion and art in Kerala and enabled her to become a precious gem in the necklace of Indian culture. Indian poets of eminence have showered their praises for the abundance of its peppers, the fragrance of its sandal and the wealth of its coconuts. No part of India is so widely known or has played so important a part in world history as Kerala.
Natural Divisions:
Physical features demarcate the state into three natural divisions. They are the lowland adjoining the sea, the midland consisting of the undulating country east of the lowlands and the forest -clad highland on the extreme east. The lowland bordering the sea is dotted with innumerable coconut palms and the expansive stretches of paddy crops. The midland regions comprise valleys, punctuated here and there by isolated hills.
This rich and fertile region bears the largest extent of agricultural crops. The Western Ghats which range along the eastern border constitute the highland. They form a natural wall of protection to the state. Extensive tea and cardamom plantation dominate the higher elevations; while ginger, rubber, pepper, and turmeric flourish at the lower elevations. The hilly portion is broken up by long spurs, deep savines, dense forests and tangles jungles.
Geographical Isolation:
The geographical position of Kerala as a narrow strip of land ensconced between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats has considerably influenced the course of its history. From the dawn of history it has created a kind of insularity. As a result, Kerala seldom felt the impact of many foreign invasions which had ravaged North India form time to time. Owing to this insularity, it took nearly two centuries for Buddhism to reach Kerala and also evolved “its own way of life and social institutions unhampered by excessive interference from outside.
The name Kerala is now widely explained today as the "the land of coconuts", derived from Malayalam word "kera" which means coconut. But history shows that Ashokan edits dating back to 273-236 BC had mentioned Keralaputra (the land of the sons of Cheras) and it is from this that the name has originated.
Formation of kerala
The history of Kerala is one that may be difficult to give as a history, because Kerala has only recently become a state. On November 1, 1956 the new government of Free India combined the kingdoms of Travancore, Malabar, and Cochin, thus eliminating the princely rule that had been in effect there for centuries. As the following history is given, it is important to remember that this is the history of three kingdoms that evolved together, separated from the rest of India by natural boundaries. Each of these different kingdoms has enjoyed its own distinct history, cultural slight cultural differences, varied social patterns, and political barriers. These kingdoms have traditionally been bound by language, art forms, food, dress, festivals, and religion. There is also the fact that there are several tribal groups that have existed in Kerala as long as its history, each with it’s own history and culture. Kerala like her people is a wonderful conglomeration of cultures and histories. The following paragraphs will outline the history of the area of Kerala as it stands today
Kerala Climate
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the plains but drops to about 21º C in the highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20º C. Kerala is strongly buffeted by both the southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the state exceeds 118 inches. Best season: October to March.
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