General Information
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Establishment Year | November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act. |
| Borders | States: Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east. |
| | Water Body: Arabian Sea to the west and south. |
| Capital City | Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) |
Demographics (Based on 2011 Census and 2024/2025 Estimates)
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Population (2011 Census) | 33,406,061 |
| Estimated Population (2025) | ~36.11 Million |
| Primary Language Spoken | Malayalam (Official Language) |
| Other Official Language | English |
| Major Religions (2011 Census) | Hinduism: 54.73% |
| | Islam: 26.56% |
| | Christianity: 18.38% |
Political History: Chief Ministers and President's Rule
Chief Ministers of Kerala (Since 1957)
Below is a list of Chief Ministers and their tenures (Note: This list may exclude very brief periods of acting CMs and focuses on distinct terms/administrations):
| Name of Chief Minister | Date Joined | Date Left |
|---|---|---|
| E.M.S. Namboodiripad | April 5, 1957 | July 31, 1959 |
| Pattom A. Thanu Pillai | February 22, 1960 | September 26, 1962 |
| R. Sankar | September 26, 1962 | September 10, 1964 |
| E.M.S. Namboodiripad | March 6, 1967 | November 1, 1969 |
| C. Achutha Menon | November 1, 1969 | August 1, 1970 |
| C. Achutha Menon | October 4, 1970 | March 25, 1977 |
| K. Karunakaran | March 25, 1977 | April 25, 1977 |
| A.K. Antony | April 27, 1977 | October 27, 1978 |
| P.K. Vasudevan Nair | October 29, 1978 | October 7, 1979 |
| C.H. Mohammed Koya | October 12, 1979 | December 1, 1979 |
| E.K. Nayanar | January 25, 1980 | October 20, 1981 |
| K. Karunakaran | December 28, 1981 | March 17, 1982 |
| K. Karunakaran | May 24, 1982 | March 25, 1987 |
| E.K. Nayanar | March 26, 1987 | June 17, 1991 |
| K. Karunakaran | June 24, 1991 | March 16, 1995 |
| A.K. Antony | March 22, 1995 | May 9, 1996 |
| E.K. Nayanar | May 20, 1996 | May 13, 2001 |
| A.K. Antony | May 17, 2001 | August 29, 2004 |
| Oommen Chandy | August 31, 2004 | May 12, 2006 |
| V.S. Achuthanandan | May 18, 2006 | May 14, 2011 |
| Oommen Chandy | May 18, 2011 | May 20, 2016 |
| Pinarayi Vijayan | May 25, 2016 | May 20, 2021 |
| Pinarayi Vijayan | May 20, 2021 | Present |
President's Rule in Kerala
President's Rule (imposition of central government rule under Article 356) has been invoked in Kerala a total of 7 times since its formation in 1956.
The periods were:
* November 1, 1956 – April 5, 1957
* July 31, 1959 – February 22, 1960
* September 10, 1964 – March 6, 1967
* August 4, 1970 – October 3, 1970
* December 5, 1979 – January 25, 1980
* October 21, 1981 – December 28, 1981
* March 17, 1982 – May 23, 1982
Famous Places & Products
Kerala is renowned globally for its natural beauty and specific agricultural/cultural products.
Famous Places (Tourism)
* Kerala Backwaters: A network of brackish lagoons and lakes parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, famous for Houseboats and scenic cruising (Alleppey/Alappuzha and Kumarakom).
* Munnar: A hill station famous for its extensive tea plantations and cool climate.
* Kochi (Cochin): A major port city with a rich colonial history, famous for the Chinese Fishing Nets in Fort Kochi.
* Varkala/Kovalam: Internationally recognized beach destinations.
* Thekkady (Periyar): Famous for its Wildlife Sanctuary and spice gardens.
Famous Products
* Spices: Kerala is known as the "Spice Garden of India." Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg are exported worldwide.
* Coconut Products: The coconut tree is the State Tree. Products like Coir (coconut fiber) and Copra (dried coconut kernel) are important exports.
* Rubber: Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India.
* Cashew: A significant crop and processing industry, especially for export.
* Handicrafts: Items made from rosewood, sandalwood, and coir.
* Kasavu Saree (Mundu/Sari): Traditional handloom clothing with gold borders, famous within India and the global diaspora.
