Kerala is a state in south-western India. Most of Kerala's 3.18 crore (31.8 million) people are of Malayali ethnicity. Malayalis in turn number among southern India's Dravidian community, with traces of ancestry derived from various waves of Aryan invaders and settlers from northern India. Additional ancestries derive from several centuries of contact with non-Indian lands, whereby thousands of people of Arab, Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other non-Dravidian ethnicities settled in Kerala. Many of these immigrants intermarried with native Malayalees. Nevertheless, Malayalam is Kerala's official language and is spoken by at least 96% of Keralites; the next most common language is Tamil, spoken mainly by Tamil labourers from Tamil Nadu. Kannada is spoken in some parts of the northern districts of Kasaragod, adjoining Karnataka. In addition, Kerala is home to 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis (1.10% of the populace).^[1] Some 63% of Adivasis reside in the eastern districts of Wayanad (where 35.82% are Adivasi), Palakkad (11.05%), and Idukki (15.66%).^[2] These groups, including the Irulars, Kurumbars, and Mudugars,^[3] speak their own native languages and experience hardships such as racial discrimination, economic exploitation, and poverty.^[4][5][6]. Cholanaikkan tribe in Silent Valley National Park were contacted only in 1970s and they are the most isolated tribe. There were 64,008 Konkani speakers in Kerala in 1991. Image File history File links India_map_kerala. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Languages Malayalam (മലയാളം) Religions Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Malayali or Malayalee(മലയാളി) is a name given to the inhabitants of the state of Kerala. ... For other uses, see Dravidian (disambiguation). ... Aryan (/eÉ™rjÉ™n/ or /ɑːrjÉ™n/, Sanskrit: ) is a Sanskrit and Avestan word meaning noble/spiritual one. ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Jew (disambiguation). ... Frederick Douglass with his second wife Helen Pitts Douglass (sitting) who was white, a famous 19th century American example of miscegenation. ... Malayalam (മലയാളം ) is the language spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala, in southern India. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ... Languages Tamil Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Gonds The Tamil people are a multi-ethnic group from the Indian subcontinent with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ... Kannada - aptly described as sirigannada (known to few as Kanarese) is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and is spoken in its various dialects by roughly 45 million people. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... Ä€divāsÄ«s (आदिवासी), literally original inhabitants, comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India. ... An African-American drinks out of a water fountain marked for colored in 1939 at a street car terminal in Oklahoma City. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... The Cholanaikkans are one of the most primitive tribes in South India, numbering only 360 in 1991. ...

Note 1: mainly Tamil

Population

Population density of Kerala

Kerala's districts, shaded by population density.

Source: (GOK 2001).

Kerala is home to 3.44% of India's people, and — at 819 persons per km² — its land is three times as densely settled as the rest of India. However, Kerala's population growth rate is far lower than the national average. Whereas Kerala's population more than doubled between 1951 and 1991 — adding 156 lakh (15.6 million) people to reach a total of 291 lakh (29.1 million) residents in 1991 — the population stood at less than 320 lakh (32 million) by 2001. Kerala's people are most densely settled in the coastal region, leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.^[7] Image File history File links Kerala_density_map1. ...

Religion

The major religions followed in Kerala are Hinduism (56.2% — predominantly Ezhavas and Nairs), Islam (24.7% — Keralite Muslims from northern part of the state are also known as Mappilas), and Christianity (19.00%).^[8] Kerala also had a tiny Jewish population until recently, said to date from 587 BC when they fled the occupation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The state has many famous temples, masjids, and churches. The synagogue in Kochi is the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations. The oldest masjid in India is found in Kodungallur. The 2001 Indian census recorded only 51 Jews in Kerala. Importantly, Kerala has one of the most secular (non-sectarian) populations in India. Nevertheless, there have been signs of increasing disruptive influences from religious extremist organisations, such as the Islamic Organizations, All Church elements involved in active religious conversion and the Hindu Organizations like RSS. Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages)[1] is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... The Ezhavas form a major progressive community, and also one of the largest in Kerala, a south Indian state. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... The Mappilas (historically called Moplahs in Malayalam :മാപ്പിള) are a Syrian Malabar Nasrani and Muslim community in Kerala and neighbouring states and territories of India. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews are the ancient prospetutess and their descendants of the South Indian erstwhile state of Kingdom of Cochin which includes the present day port city of Kochi. ... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 620s BC - 610s BC - 600s BC - 590s BC - 580s BC - 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC Events and Trends 589 BC - Apries succeeds Psammetichus II as king of Egypt 588 BC _ Nebuchadnezzar II of... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... Nebuchadnezzar (or Nebudchadrezzar) II (ca. ... The word temple has different meanings in the fields of architecture, religion, geography, anatomy, and education. ... This article is about the Christian buildings of worship. ... The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. ... “Cochin” redirects here. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon since 1 April 2000 Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... , “Cranganore” redirects here. ...

Social development

Kerala ranks highest in India with respect to social development indices such as elimination of poverty, primary education and healthcare. This resulted from significant efforts begun in 1911 by Cochin and Travancore states to boost healthcare and education among their ordinary people. This central focus — unusual in India — was then maintained after Kerala's post-independence inauguration as a state.^[9] Thus, Kerala's literacy rate — 90.92% — and life expectancy are now the highest in India. However, the same is true of Kerala's unemployment and suicide rates. As per the 2001 census, Kerala is the only state in India with a female-to-male ratio higher than 0.99. The ratio for Kerala is 1.058 — 1058 females per 1000 males — while the national figure is 0.933.^[10] It is also the only state in India to have sub-replacement fertility. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated Kerala the world's first "baby-friendly state" via its "Baby Friendly Hospital" initiative. The state is also known for Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine — this traditional expertise is currently drawing increasing numbers of medical tourists. However, drawbacks to this situation includes the population's steady aging — indeed, 11.2% of Keralites are age 60 or over.^[9] CIA figures for world unemployment rates, 2006 Unemployment is the state in which a worker wants, but is unable, to work. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ... Sex ratio by country for total population. ... Sub-replacement fertility is a fertility rate that is not high enough to replace an areas population. ... UNICEF Logo The United Nations Childrens Fund or UNICEF (Arabic: ; French: ; Spanish: ) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. ... WHO redirects here. ... Shirodhara, one of the techniques of Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ... For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... Medical tourism (also called medical travel or health tourism) is a term initially coined by travel agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly-growing practice of traveling to another country to obtain health care. ...

Kerala's unusual socioeconomic and demographic situation was summarized by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben:^[11] For other uses, see Author (disambiguation). ... The historic Blue Marble photograph, which helped bring environmentalism to the public eye. ... Bill McKibben attending a 2006 summit via HDTV uplink Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks associated with human genetic engineering. ...

Kerala is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World. Consider: This small state in India, though not much larger than Maryland, has a population as big as California's and a per capita annual income of less than $300. But its infant mortality rate is low, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, and its birthrate below America's and falling faster. Kerala's citizens live nearly as long as Americans or Europeans. Though mostly a land of paddy-covered plains, statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development; there's truly no place like it.[11]

Additional demographic information

Nationality

Indian

Population

31,841,374 (2001 Census)

Males : 15,471,419

Females : 16,369,955

Ethnic groups

Muslims - 24.70% (2001 Cemsus)

Ezhavas - 22.91%

Nairs - 12.88%

Scheduled Castes - 9.81%

Christians - 19.00%

Brahmins - 1.59%

Tribals - 1.14%

Others - 8.00%

The Ezhavas form a major progressive community, and also one of the largest in Kerala, a south Indian state. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... In South Asias caste system, an untouchable, dalit, or achuta is a person outside of the four castes, and considered below them. ...

Age structure

0-6 years: 3,793,146 or 11.91% (male 1,935,027/female 1,858,119)

0-14 years: 30.69%

15-64 years: 63.87%

65 years and over:5.44% (1991 Cen)

Median age

Total:

Male:

Female:

Population growth rate

0.87% (1998 est.)

Birth rate

17.1 births/1,000 population (1994-2001 est.) [8]

Birth Rate was 17.1 in 1994-2001 (20.3 in 1984-1990 & 25.0 in 1974-1980) . Pathanamthitta (14.5 in 1994-2001, 17.2 in 1984-1990 & NA in 1974-1980) had the lowest TBR and Malappuram(22.4, 29.5 & 33.6) had the highest TBR.

Death rate

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (1998)

Net migration rate

(-)3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1991 est.)

Of the emigrants from Kerala, 42.2% were Muslims, 36.6% were Hindus and 21.2% were Christians in 1992-93. The most preferred destination was Saudi Arabia (37.8%), followed by UAE (25.9%), Other Gulf countries (13.0%), Oman (11.8%), Other Countries (7.5%) and USA (3.8%). [9]

Sex ratio

Total Population : 1058 Females/1000 Males

Age 0-6 : 960 Females/1000 Males

Infant mortality rate

Total: 14.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997-1999)

Maternal mortality rate

Total: 1.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 73.3 years (1993-1995)

Male: 70.2 years

Female: 76.6 years

Total fertility rate

1.70 children born/woman (2001 Cen)

In 1991, Kerala had the lowest TFR(Children born per women) in the whole of India. Hindus had a TFR of 1.66, Christians had 1.78 and Muslims had 2.97. In 2000, the TFR was 1.73 with Muslims having 2.28, Nairs having a TFR of 1.47 and Syrian Christians having TFR of 1.55. TFR for Scheduled Castes was 1.52 in 1997-98 and 1.37 in 1992-93. The lowest Fertility rate recorded anywhere in India is TFR of 1.17 for Vettuvan caste in Kerala. [10] This article is about a Hindu caste. ...

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.32% (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

See also

This article concerns itself with the History of Kerala state, south India. ... The ancient Tamil country refers to the areas of South India and the northeastern Sri Lanka in which Tamil was the major language during ancient times. ... The Chera dynasty (Tamil: சேரர்) was one of the ancient Tamil dynasties that ruled southern India from ancient times until around the fifteenth century CE. The Early Cheras ruled over the Malabar Coast, Coimbatore, Karur and Salem Districts in South India, which now forms part of the modern day Kerala and... The Kerala School was a school of mathematics and astronomy founded by Madhava of Sangamagrama in Kerala, South India which included as its prominent members Parameshvara, Nilakantha Somayaji, Jyeshtadeva, Achyuta Pisharati, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri and Achyuta Panikkar. ... The naval Battle of Kulachal took place on 10 August 1741 (31 July OS) [1], when forces of Marthanda Varma, the Raja of the erstwhile Indian State of Travancore (also known as Tiruvitamkur) defeated forces of the Dutch East India Company (also known as VOC), and the allied Rani of... The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of eighteenth-century wars fought in India between the Kingdom of Mysore (then a French ally) and the British East-India Company, represented chiefly by the Madras Presidency. ... Vaikom Satyagraham is Satyagraham contact against untouchability in Hinduism in Kerala at the famous Vaikom temple. ... Cochin Royal Family were rulers of Cochin or Kochi. ... See also Kerala Chief Ministers of India External links keralacm. ... Governors of Kerala See Also Kerala Governors of India Links Categories: India-related stubs | Government of India | Indian politicians | Kerala | State political office-holders in India ... The Kerala Legislative Assembly is the legislative branch of the Government of Kerala, one of the 28 states in India. ... Location of Kerala in India The Kerala model refers to a set of economic practices developed in Indias state of Kerala. ... Left Democratic Front is one of the two major alliances that dominate the political life of the Indian state Kerala. ... Panchayat Elections is a term widely used in Kerala, India, for the polls that are held to select the Local Self-government Representatives. ... // Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Kerala (ADAK) Agency for Non – Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) Institute of Handloom and Textile Technology Institute of Land Management Institute of Management in Government Kerala Aviation Training Centre Kerala Books and Publications Society Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP) Kerala Council for... The following is an incomplete list of politicians from the Indian state of Kerala. ... 1868 m high Agastya Malai mountain Thenmala Adventure Zone // The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was Established in 2001 and includes 1701 km2 ABR straddles the border of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram Districts in Kerala and Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts in Tamil Nadu, South India at the southern end of the Western... Anaimalai hills are a trekking destination in the Western Ghats located in the southern indian state of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, and is known for its abundant wildlife. ... Map of Backwaters in Kerala The Kerala Backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. ... Districts of Kerala, south India. ... A national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India. ... The Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). ... Malabar Coast, Kerala Bekal Fort Beach, Kerala The Malabar Coast also known as the Malabarian Coast, is a long and narrow south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. ... Marayoor is one of the famous tourist spots in the Idukki District of Kerala state, South India. ... Nelliampathi mountains Nelliampathi is a popular hill station 60 Km. ... The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an International Biosphere Reserve located in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills ranges of southern India. ... A teapicker at work in the Nilgiris Nigiris Hills It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into The Nilgiris District. ... The Palakkad Gap is a 30-40 kilometer wide low mountain pass in the Western Ghats, near Palakkad town in the Indian State of Kerala. ... Welcome to the Protected Areas of Kerala Template:Inset map = yes National Parks of Kerala National Park Protected areas of Kerala - Kerala State in South India covers an area of 38,863 km² (15,005. ... Location of Vembanad lake, Kerala Vembanad Lake (Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol) is the largest lake in Kerala, India. ... Language(s) Malayalam, knowledge of Sanskrit Religion(s) Hinduism Related ethnic groups Panch-Dravida Brahmins, Pushpaka Brahmins, Nair, Iyer, Iyengar Namboothiri Brahmins (Malayalam :നമ്പൂതിരി) are the upper class Brahmins of Kerala, who are considered the most orthodox Brahmins in India. ... Samantha Samanta Kshatriyas, commonly known as Samanthas, are the lower class Kshatriyas of Kerala. ... This article is about a Hindu caste. ... Ä€divāsÄ«s (आदिवासी), literally original inhabitants, comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India. ... The Syrian Catholic Church is a Christian church in the Levant in full communion with the pope having practices and rite in common with the Jacobites. ... The Latin Church is that part of the Roman Catholic Church where the Latin rites are or were used in the liturgy. ... Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews are the ancient prospetutess and their descendants of the South Indian erstwhile state of Kingdom of Cochin which includes the present day port city of Kochi. ... For other uses, see Dravidian (disambiguation). ... The Ezhavas form a major progressive community, and also one of the largest in Kerala, a south Indian state. ... The Mappilas (historically called Moplahs in Malayalam :മാപ്പിള) are a Syrian Malabar Nasrani and Muslim community in Kerala and neighbouring states and territories of India. ... The following is a list of notable people from Kerala, India: Though many personalities in this list are/were multi-faceted, their names are classified according to their major area of work. ... The Saint Thomas Christians are a group of Christians from the Malabar coast (now Kerala) in South India, who follow Syriac Christianity. ... This is a full list of Scheduled Tribes in India, as recognised in Indias Constitution. ... The Syrian Kuriz also known as Nasrani Menorah or the Mar Thoma sliva The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an ethnic group from Kerala, South India. ... A Keralite wearing a type of sari called set sari. ... Kerala is well known for its diverse forms of performing arts. ... Thayambaka performance by Mattanur Sankarankutty using chenda Chenda is a cylindrical wooden drum from Kerala state of India. ... The cuisine of Kerala (Malayalam:േകരളീയ പാചകൈശലി) is linked in all its richness to the history, geography and culture of the land. ... Duff Muttu performance Duff Muttu (also: Dubh Muttu) is an art form prevalent among Muslims in Kerala state of south India. ... Kalarippayattu (IPA: [kaÉ­aɾipːajatɨ̆], Malayalam: കളരിപയറ്റ്) is a Dravidian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu of Southern India. ... Kathakali (IPA: [kat̪ʰakaÉ­i], Malayalam:�·ഥ�·ളി , Sanskrit:�·थ�·ळि) is a form of Indian dance-drama. ... Kolkali is a folk art performed in Kerala a small state in south India. ... Mani Madhava Chakyar and his troop performing Thoranayudham koodiyattam ( 1962- Chennai). ... Tongue being pierced in Kuthu Ratheeb Kuthu Ratheeb is a religious ritual performed by some sections of the Muslim population in Kerala state of South India. ... Malayalam calendar (also known as Malayalam Era or Kollavarsham) is a solar Sideral calendar used in the state of Kerala in South India. ... Malayalam ( ) is the language spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala, in southern India. ... Mappila Paattukal or Mappila Songs are folklore Muslim devotional songs in the Malayalam language. ... Mohiniaattam performers Mohiniaattam performers Mohiniaattam (മൊഹിനിയാട്ടം) (also spelled as mohiniattam or mohiniyattam) is a traditional South Indian dance form from Kerala, India. ... Kerala is a region of India, musically known for Sopanam. ... Onam (IPA: [oːɳam], Malayalam: ഓണം) is an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the south Indian state of Kerala. ... This is a popular form of social entertainment among the Muslim community of Kerala prevalent all over, especially in the northern districts of Canaonore, Calicut and Malappuram. ... Panchari melam is a classic performance (melam) of different musical instruments that are unique to Kerala state in south India. ... Panchavadyam is a classic performance of different musical instruments that are unique to Kerala state of India, where five instruments are involved in a breathtaking-fastmoving act of percussion (Pancha in Sanskrit means five). ... A pooram (the name coming from the Malayalam language used by the people of Kerala state of India) is a temple festival and there will be at least one elephant in the procession. ... Sopanam is a form of Indian classical music developed in the temples of Kerala in the wake of the increasing popularity of the Jayadevas Gita Govinda or Ashtapathi. Sopanasangitham is sung by the side of the steps (Sopanam) of Temple, with the accompaniment of the drum called Idakka. The... Thayambaka performance by Mattanur Sankarankutty Thayambaka is a solo Chenda (Drum) performance that are unique to Kerala state of south India, where the performer uses one stick and the other hand to play the instrument (Chenda) instead of the usual two sticks. ... Image of Karkitaka theyyam : Theyyam after monsoon season The Theyyam or Theyyattam is a popular ritual dance of north Kerala, south India, particularly presented in the Kolathunadu(of the present Kannur and Kasargode districts). ... N.Kumaran Asan,Vallathol Narayana Menon and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer are regarded as the triumvirates (Kavithrayam) of modern Malayalam literature. ... Vallam Kali (or Vallamkali) literally means boat game (race) in Malayalam. ... A traditional vishu kanni setting Vishu (Malayalam:വിഷു)-(American Vjéshu) is a festival held in the state of Kerala (and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) in India around the first day in the Malayalam month of Medam (April – May). ... Many ancient family houses in Kerala have special snake shrines called Kavu. ... Malayalam language spoken by the Mappila Muslim community of Kerala is called Mappila dialect of Malayalam. ... Judeo-Malayalam is the traditional language spoken by the Cochin Jews (also called Malabar Jews), from Kerala, in southern India, spoken today by about 8,000 people in Israel and by probably fewer than 100 in India. ...

References