Kerala

Governor : R. S. Gavi
 Chief Minister : V. S. Achuthanandan
 Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
 Legislature: Unicameral
 Lok Sabha seats: 20
 Judicature: Ernakulam High Court
 Languages: Malayalam
 Population density: 819/sq km
 No. of districts: 14
 Main crops: Spices, cashewnuts, coconut,
 tea, rubber, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, coffee, cocoa, tapioca, silk,
 ginger
 Rivers: Cauvery, Periyar, Pennar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil,
 Meenachil, Angengo, Edva, Nadavara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi, Chatuva,
 Moovattupusha and several other small rivers
 Minerals: Illmenite, rutile, monazite, clay, quartz
 Industries: Coir work, rubber, tea processing, silk and fisheries
 Airports: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kzhikode
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Kerala is a narrow strip of land on the south-west coast of India. The Lakshadweep Sea lies on the west, while the Western Ghats lie on the east. The Western Ghats are densely forested and have extensive ridges and ravines. Anai Peak (2695 metres) is the highest peak of peninsular India. An interconnected chain of lagoons and backwaters is a feature of the coastline of Kerala.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
When the independent India amalgamated small states together Travancore and Cochin states were integrated to form Travancore-Cochin state on 1 July 1949. However, Malabar remained under the Madras province. Under the State’s reorganisation Act-1956, Travancore-Cochin state and Malabar were united to form Kerala State on 1 November 1956.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

 1st century AD: Jewish immigrants arrived in the area.

 1-5th centuries AD: Pandya, Chola and Chera dynasties ruled over the area.

 6-8th centurries AD: Islam was introduced to the region by the Arab traders.  800-1102 AD: Kulasekhara dynasty reigned.

 1498: The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed near Calicut.

 16th century: The Portuguese dominated trade and commerce in the Malabar region.

 17th century: The Dutch ousted the Portuguese.

 1806: Cochin, Travancore and Malabar region had all become subject states under the British Madras Presidency.

 1 July 1949: Travancore and Cochin were merged to form the Travancore- Cochin state.

 1 November 1956: Travancore Cochin state and Malabar were united to form the state of Kerala.