Land of coconuts

The State of Kerala was created in 1956, and the official language is Malayalam. Kerala, the name given to the most serene, beautiful and socially advanced state in India, translates as ‘land of coconut trees’, as ‘kera’ means coconut tree and ‘alam’ means land. The tropical climate of the Malabar Coast, with its rich vegetation and unique culture and traditions, attracts plenty of foreign visitors. National Geographic Traveller magazine named Kerala ‘one of the ten most heavenly places in the world’ and one of the ‘50 must-see places’.

Long ago, King Solomon sent his ships here to trade in wood and spices and according to Marco Polo, there were around 200 ships moored in

Calicut harbour every day. Christopher Columbus intended to go to Kerala when he planned his journey to the west. Europe learned about Kerala from Vasco da Gama, who arrived here in 1498 and discovered this part of India for Portugal. Today numerous religions live here in harmony, with Hindu temples next to mosques, Christian churches and synagogues. Kerala attracts tourists in search of wilderness and ecotourism as well as those who come for the luxurious resorts offering Ayurvedic treatments.