Kerala is a small, densely populated state in India. It occupies a long strip of land along the southwest coast of India. Kerala is relatively poor in natural resources but rich in scenic beauty. It has a long literary and artistic tradition.
Kerala is famous for its poets and musicians, its traditional dance forms, and its distinctive architecture. Craftworkers in Kerala continue the ancient arts of woodcarving and wall-painting.

Location and description. Kerala occupies a 570-kilometre-long strip of coast on the western side of the Indian peninsula. It lies along the Malabar coast, with the Arabian Sea to the west. It is bounded by the states of Karnataka in the north and Tamil Nadu in the east and south. Kerala varies in width from west to east. It is about 120 kilometres at its maximum and just 30 kilometres at its minimum.

Climate. Kerala enjoys a pleasant climate, with hardly any temperature changes throughout the seasons. The average temperature ranges from 21 °C in the upland areas of the interior to 32 °C in the coastal regions.
The annual rainfall produced by the monsoons is nearly 300 centimetres. This rainfall helps to account for Kerala's lush agricultural fertility. Most of the rain falls in the northern region of the state. In the drier southern region, farmers have to use irrigation to supplement the annual rainfall.

Tourism. Kerala's lively cultural activities and great scenic beauty attract many visitors. Most tourists come from other Indian states. Visitors are drawn by Kerala's comfortable climate. They also come to see the animal life of Kerala.
The crowded coastlands support such birds as gulls and cranes. The forests of the interior are inhabited by bison, cobras, elephants, panthers, and tigers.

Tourist Centres: Under the aegis of the department of tourism and Kerala tourism development corporation, many places in Kerala have been developed into tourist centers. Kerala is a state which has notified tourism as an industry.
In November 1995, the Government said that fifteen selected places in the state would be developed as tourist centers. Government encourages joint and private ventures in the tourism industry along with the Government sponsored schemes.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) the capital city is an abode of temples, mosques and churches. Kovalam beach resort is just 12 Km away. Veli (8 Km), Neyyar Dam(19 Km), and Ponmudi (61 Km) are other places of interest.

Periyar Wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady in Idukki district is another attraction. Sabarimala, abode of Lord Ayyappan is a famoius pilgrimage centre in Pathanamthitta district.
Kochi (Kochin) - a major port of Kerala is known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The beautiful Willingdon island with the adjoining port is a great attraction. Kaladi in Eranakulam district is the birth place of Sri Shankaracharya.
Gruver in Thrissur district has the famous Lord Krishna shrine. Kalamandalam, the renowned Kathakali centre is in the Thissur district. Kozhikode (Calicut) is historically important as the capital of the Zamorians.
Edakal cave in Wyanad district is centuries old. The panto-mime dance drama Kathakali is performed by men, 'the dance of the enchantress' Mohiniyattam is performed by women, and Thulal, then solo dance are among the classical dance forms of Kerala.