Kerala Facts

KERALA

KERALA STATE

Divided into 14 Districts, Kerala claims to be India’s cleanest state, with the highest quality of physical life in the Country, almost 100% literate people with India’s highest life – expectancy rate.

AREA

15,000 Square Miles

CAPITAL

Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum )

CLIMATE

Trivandrum

	Max ^oC	Min ^oC	Rain (mm)
Jan	31	22	20
Feb	32	23	20
Mar	33	24	43
Apr	32	25	122
May	31	25	249
Jun	29	24	331
Jul	29	23	215
Aug	29	22	164
Sept	30	23	123
Oct	30	23	271
Nov	30	23	207
Dec	31	23	73

POPULATION

32 million , estimated population ( 1999 )

RELIGION

Majority ,Hindu , 24% Christian & 20% Muslim

EDUCATION

India’s most Literate State – almost 100%

LARGEST LAKE

Vembanad ( 205sq km )

LONGEST RIVER

Barathapuzha

ELECTRICITY

Voltage is 220/240 AC

LANGUAGE

Official language Malayalam , which forms part of the Dravidian family, includes many words from the ancient Indian Sanskrit Malayalam can be found in literary records dating back to the 12^th Century.

HEALTH

There are currently no compulsory vaccinations for travel to India, although it is strongly recommended that you are protected against the following: Polio, tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A and Malaria. Please contact your doctor or the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Tel 0891 224 100 for the latest details).

BANKS/CASH

TIME

Indian Standard Time ( IST ), GMT + 5.30 hrs

PASSPORTS/VISAS

British passport holders travelling to India must be in possession of a 10-year British passport. valid for at least six months after your intended return date. Visas are also required. For further information on India contact the Government of India office Tel 020 7734 3677 or

www.indiantouristoffice.com

CLOTHING

For visitors light cottons and loose clothing . Hill Stations require warmer Clothes.

Local Malayali women usually wear Saree and men wear the most comfortable Mundu (sarong- like garment).