Kerala, the land of spices and gold, often known as God’s own country, was formed on 1st November 1956. It was carved from the princely state of Cochin, the kingdom of Travancore, which was formed in the 18th century, and Malabar district which was the former Kingdom of the Zamorin of Calicut. Situated along the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea the region is separated from the adjoining states of India by the Western Ghats mountain ranges, which run parallel to the sea 85 miles approximately along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Kerala is a 560-km long narrow strip of land with about 120 km from the mountain ranges to the sea. The land measures approximately 38,863 sq. km (15,005 square miles) that stretch 75 miles at its broadest and about 20 miles in some parts.

  It has mountains on one side and sea on the other. The land is covered with dense tropical forest, back waters, beaches, rivers (44 rivers) and mountain ranges. Geologists believe that the elevation of Kerala from the sea was the result of some seismic activity, either sudden or gradual. Another opinion is that the rivers flowing into the Arabian seas brought enormous quantity of silt from the hills over a period and the ocean currents pushed sand towards the shore leading to the form land.

  The history of Kerala includes its struggle for independence, the road to Communism and the evolution of the modern state of Kerala. The Portuguese discovered the sea route to India from Europe. Vasco da gama landed in Calicut in 1498 and it was followed by the Dutch, the French and finally the British. Among the traders, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the English, played an important role in influencing the culture and infrastructural development. Slowly Kerala became a mix of people belonging to various sects. It was the English who ruled over Kerala from 1791 to 1947. Commercialization was at its peak during this period. Tea and coffee plantations were developed and industrial revolution began in the 1850s.Various industries such as textiles, tiles and coir products were setup. Spices were another main attraction for traders. Ayurveda also prevailed during this time. The missionaries, who came to spread Christianity, contributed in the education system by inducing western education meathods.The Apostle of Christ, St. Thomas is believed to have come to Muziris in 52 AD and established the first church in Kerala.

  The struggle for freedom intensified during the 1920s when the Indian National congress spearheaded the national independence movement. This was a period when the communist movement gathered momentum. Since independence, Kerala has achieved a lot in the field of education. It has close to 100% literacy rate. Kerala has been successful in attracting tourists from all over the world for its rich culture and heritage. Truly, it’s God’s Own Country!!!