Kerala

Kerala, one of the states of Republic of India, lies to the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula, flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the mountains of the Western Ghats on the east. The north-south stretch along the coast line is about 580 kms with a varying width of 35 to 120 kms. The average elevation of the Ghats is about 1500 meters above sea level, occasionally soaring to peaks of 2000 to 2500 m. From the Ghats, the land slopes to west, networked by forty-four rivers. The nature of the terrain and its physical features, divides an east west cross section of the state into three distinct regions - hill and valleys , midland plains and coastal region.

Kerala is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of life. In contrast to the rest of India and most other low-income countries, Keralites enjoy education and health at levels that are on par with the West. The State claims one of India's highest literacy rates, highest life expectancy and lowest child mortality rates. 

Kerala's history is closely linked with its commerce, which until recent times revolved around its spice trade. Celebrated as the Spice Coast of India, ancient Kerala played host to travellers and traders from across the world including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. Almost all of them have left their imprint on this land in some form or the other - architecture, cuisine, literature.