Kerala is a state in India that is renowned for its unique geography, tranquil backwaters, pristine beaches, art forms, spices, charming floating houses, extensive tea plantations, ecotourism, magnificent architecture, Ayurvedic treatments and unforgettable culinary experiences. With 600 kilometers of coastline on the western Malabar coast of India, Kerala's beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. The state's past as a mix of indigenous princely states, Portuguese trading posts and British-ruled lands also means that there is more architectural heritage to explore here than anywhere else in India. Kowdiar Palace in Thiruvananthapuram was built by the Maharaja in the 1930s for his sister, while Kannur is known for the Fort of San Angelo, built in 1505 by the first Portuguese settlers on the Malabar coast.
Kerala cuisine is traditionally arranged on a banana leaf and is characterized by a feast called sadya which can include up to 28 different dishes. Kochi has been influenced by European powers such as the Portuguese and the Dutch, as well as Arab merchants from the Middle East and even Chinese traders. Kozhikode (Calicut) was visited by Vasco da Gama in the late 1490s after he circumnavigated Africa for the first time. Munnar's Kannan Devan Tea Museum guides visitors through the history of one of the world's most important beverages.
Kerala has the highest ratio of women to men in India and produces 90% of India's rubber production. It is also known as the spice capital of India and famous for its seafood dishes which include fish, prawns, lobsters, mussels and crabs. Padmanabha Temple in Trivandrum and Vadakkumnatha Temple in Thrissur are famous for their wall paintings. Ayurvedic treatments have been offered in Kerala for thousands of years and should be on any list of what makes Kerala famous.
