kerala (/ˈkɛrələ/), sometimes referred to in historical terms as Keralam,[4] is a state in the south-west region of India on the Malabar coast. It was created on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam-speaking regions. Spread over 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi), it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and north east, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 census, Kerala is the thirteenth largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Trivandrum. Malayalam is the most widely spoken and official language of the state. The region was a prominent spice exporter from 3000 BCE, and it is still referred to as the "Garden of Spices" or as the "Spice Garden of India".[5] The Chera Dynasty was the first prominent kingdom based in Kerala, though it frequently struggled against attacks from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. During the Chera period, Kerala remained an international spice trading center. In the 15th century, the spice trade attracted Portuguese traders to Kerala, and paved the way for the European colonisation of India. After independence, Travancore and Cochin joined the Republic of India and Travancore-Cochin was given the status of a state. Later, the state was formed in 1956 by merging the Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin (excluding four southern taluks), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara. Kerala is the state with the lowest positive population growth rate in India, 3.44%, with a density of 860 people per km2 and the population growth rate is turning zero or negative.[6] The state has the highest Human Development Index (HDI), 0.790, in the country, according to the 2011 Human Development Report, and is the only state to remain in the "very high" category, with a consumption-based HDI of 0.920, which is better than that of many developed countries.[3] It also has the highest literacy rate, 93.91%; the highest life expectancy, 77 years; and the highest sex ratio, 1,084 women per 1000 men. Kerala was also named as the "the world's first baby-friendly state" by UNICEF and WHO.[7] Over 95% of Keralite births are hospital delivered and the state also has the lowest Infant mortality rates in the country.A 2005 survey by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country. In 2014, Kerala had the highest conviction rate of any state, over 77%.[8] The state has witnessed significant emigration of its people, especially to the Gulf states during the Gulf Boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, and its
kerala (/ k r l /), sometimes referred to in historical terms as
Keralam,[4] is a state in the south- west region of India on the
Malabar coast It was created on ! "o#ember !$%& following the
'tates (eorganisation )ct b* combining #arious Mala*alam-s+eaking
regions '+read o#er ,-,-&, km. (!%,//% s0 mi), it is bordered
b* Karnataka to the north and north east, 1amil "adu to the east
and south, and the 2akshadwee+ 'ea to the west 3ith ,,,,-4,&44
inhabitants as +er the ./!! census, Kerala is the thirteenth
largest state b* +o+ulation and is di#ided into !4 districts with
the ca+ital being 1ri#andrum Mala*alam is the most widel* s+oken
and official language of the state1he region was a +rominent s+ice
e5+orter from ,/// 678, and it is still referred to as the 9:arden
of '+ices9 or as the 9'+ice :arden of India9[%] 1he 7hera ;*nast*
was the first +rominent kingdom based in Kerala, though it
fre0uentl* struggled against attacks from the neighbouring 7holas
and
