South IndiaStateKL
Kerala
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
#22
Area Rank
#13
Pop. Rank
94%
Literacy
14
Districts
๐Basic Information
CapitalThiruvananthapuram
Largest CityThiruvananthapuram
Formation1 November 1956
Population3.34 crore (2011)
Area38,852 sq km
LanguagesMalayalam
Literacy Rate94%
Districts14
Major RiversPeriyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba
๐Key GK Facts
- 1.Highest literacy rate in India (~94%) โ called "God's Own Country"
- 2.Only state with no scheduled tribe population in plains
- 3.Silent Valley National Park preserved the last tropical rainforest in India
- 4.Kathakali, Koodiyattam (UNESCO), Mohiniyattam are classical art forms
- 5.Snake boat races at Alappuzha (Onam festival)
- 6.Highest Human Development Index (HDI) state in India
- 7.Nipah virus outbreaks occurred in Kerala (2018, 2023)
โญFamous For
Backwaters (Alleppey)AyurvedaHighest literacy rateKathakali danceSpice tradeSilent Valley
๐ฏWildlife & National Parks
- ๐ฟPeriyar Tiger Reserve
- ๐ฟSilent Valley National Park
- ๐ฟWayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- ๐ฟEravikulam National Park (Nilgiri Tahr)
Tips
- โKerala model of development = high HDI despite low GDP per capita
- โKoodiyattam (Sanskrit theatre) is India's first UNESCO Intangible Heritage
- โSilent Valley movement (1978โ84) is a landmark environmental conservation case
๐ง Quick Quiz
What is the capital of Kerala?
When was Kerala officially formed?