Area	38,863 sq. km
Population	32 million
Capital	Thiruvananthapuram
Main Language	Malayalam
Best time to visit	November and March

Kerala is located on the south-western region of India.It is by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the south and the east and the Lakshadweep Sea towards the west. On the southwestern coast of India, almost affecting the tip of the peninsula, Kerala inhabites the region known as the Malabar Coast. It is surrounded by the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kerala is like a narrow strip of land lying between the Arabian Sea to the west and the hill ranges called Western Ghats. This geography defines Kerala's main identity as a green, rain-rich state filled with inland water bodies.

The rain-laden southwest monsoon comes across the Arabian Sea to hit Kerala around 1st June, and expends much of its waters here. More than 40 rivers flow down the Western Ghats to meet the Arabian Sea forming, with the backwash of the sea, a complex of canals and lakes called the Kerala Backwaters. This combined package of beaches, backwaters and greenery is what the tourism department promotes as 'Gods Own Country', making tourism one of Kerala's main businesses.

Welcome to God's Own Country - Kerala. shining beaches, cuddled by unending cobalt waves that beautify this striking coastal state on the southwestern tip of India, Kerala beaches add colour to its gamut of sightseeing enjoyments.

Kerala's backwaters are the most admired tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once just the state's trade highways. The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake, which opens out into the sea at the Kochi port and flows through three districts - Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The Ashtamudi Lake has eight 'arms' covering a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest lake in the state.

Kerala has some of the immaculate hill stations in India, with the entire Western Ghats dotted with evergreens and, the tropical forests of the ghats house rich flora and fauna, rolling grasslands, sholas and stretches of rejuvenating fragrance of tea and coffee plantations. The wilder side of Kerala has in store some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the country with a variety of plant and animal life unique to Kerala.

Kerala Houseboat initiates you to a calm water world with idly hanging mini-mobile cottages. The just right way to experience the Kerala thrill is by sailing on the infinite network of Kerala backwaters on houseboats broadly known as kettuvalloms.

Huddled in the verdant forest of the Western Ghats in Kerala are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries. And shirking these exotic destinations are some of the most delightful trekking trails in the country.

The ancient temples in Kerala present a thrust to the pious path. These temples have a mystifying effect that can turn a nonbeliever into a religious person. Distinguishing from temples in another place in the country, the temples in Kerala are in synchrony with the geography of the region and beat with the civilization of the region.

Kerala celebrates traditional, religious, state and national festivals. These festivals are full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships or ancient traditions. Some of the popular festivals are briefed below.

The cultural medley of Kerala is studded with landmark monuments, palaces, forts, memorials, and places of worship portraying the socio-cultural and historical evolution of the land with indelible marks left by travelers from far-flung lands. Be part of its many festivals and celebrations to understand its significance, emotions and traditional practices of Kerala. Extend your tryst with this spectacular geographical wonder called Kerala and experience its rich cultural heritage and enterprising denizens who are epitomes of hospitality, which adds vibrancy to its diverse and bountiful natural wealth. Visitors are given fullest value of money and time they spend in Kerala, which offers some of the best getaways when it comes to diversity.

kerala has a rich history of art and culture. Kerala has its own typical art forms which reflect the life and outlook of the people. Culturally Keralal offers Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art, and Kathakali dance in which elaborately costumed artists perform stories from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. From the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art form as its synthesises all that is best in the fields of drama, music and dance, to the folk dances which are reflections of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people.