GEOGRAPHY: Kerala is located on the southwestern tip of India with the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m on the east. The State is divided into three regions-the coastal lowlands, the fertile midland and the highlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by endless backwatears and the deltas of forty'four rivers.The midlands are rich with cashew, coconut, arecanut, tapioca, bababa, rice ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegatable plantations. The forested highlands abound in tea, coffee, rubber and spice plantations and wildlife reserve.

LANGUAGE: Malayalam, English is widely spoken.

TIME: GMT + 5 : 30

TEMPERATURE

Season	Temperature
Summer	February-May (24-33)
Monsoon	June-September(22-28)
Winter	October-January(20-30)

GOD'S OWN COUNTRY
Kerala enjoys unique geographic features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine. All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these cherming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.

Kerala evokes rich images: the lush panorama of palm-fringed beaches, languid backwaters that seem caught in a permanent time warp, wooded hills and game sanctuaries that are home to all manner of animals. Kerala's busy capital city Thiruvananthapuram-which is acknowledged as the state's culture conservatory-is home to writers, film makers, painters and dancers. Kochi its romantic port city showcases old places and synagogues and along Alappuzha's waters snake boats vie with each other as they race across in joyous celebration during the festival of Onam.

The best way to see Kerala is by car. As you drive along you realise that the countryside seems to stretch on endlessly with its brilliant greens merging into one another. Rice fields spread out as far as the eye can see, tall palms sway in the breeze and languid waterways snake in and out of the vegetation.

THE PERFORMING ARTS OF KERALA
Blessed as it is by nature and a vibrant people, Kerala also has rich repertoire of music, dance and arts. Most of these are unique to the land and reflect the love for of its people.

CLASSICAL ARTS
The traditional of classical arts has exited in Kerala for more than a thousand years. Koodiyattam, a form of Sanskrit drama which is associated with temple rituals is perhaps the oldest form of classical arts in Kerala.

Kathakali is the traditional dance of Kerala and is one of the oldest forms of theatre in the world. It is a combination of dance and drama where the actors depict charachers from Indian mythology, mainly from the Tamayana and the Mahabharata. The ficial expressions and hand gestures are an important facet of this dance form, enhanced by the traditional make-up and costumes. The make-up is of five types: Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku. The bosy movements and footwork in this dance are very rigorous. The dance is performed to live music and tune of Chenda, a drum like instrument that produces thundering beats and the Maddala, an instrument which produces a softer and relaxed sound.

Mohiniyattom (the dance of enchantress) is a distnict type of dance form which has existed in Kerala for hundreds of years. Mohiniyattom performances depict love and devotion to God. The hero of most performances is Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna. The vocal musicfor Mohiniyattom is classical Carnatic.

Thullal evolved as a part of social reformation. Social satire at its best is seen in the Thullal performances where a large dose of humour keeps the audience in a constant state of merriment.

FOLK ART
Kerala has a rich repertoire of folk performing arts, folk songs and folk drama where we observe man's overpowering rappot with nature and his constant desire ofr communication with the unknown. Theyyam, Thira, Mudiyettu, Kaduvakali, Velakali, Kakkarissinatakam, Chavittunatakam Margamkali, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Bhadrakalipattu, Pulluvanpattu, Thiruvathirakali and so on are a few of Kerala's art forms.

MARTIAL ART
Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of the marital arts of Kerala regarded as one of the oldest and most scientific in the world. Even kung-fu is believed to have orginated from Kalaripayattu.