
kerala
Kerala (Keralam) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; to its west and south lie the Indian Ocean islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. Kerala is one of four states that compose the linguistic-cultural region known as South India.
First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region. Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. Finally, the States Reorganisation Act of November 1, 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-Independence governments, making Kerala among the Third World's longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-equitable, and most literate regions.
The etymology of Kerala is disputed. The prevailing theory states that it is an imperfect portmanteau that fuses kera ('coconut palm tree') and alam ('land' or 'location'). Natives of Kerala ? Keralites ? thus refer to their land as Keralam. Other theories have the name originating from the phrase chera alam (Land of the Chera). Kerala's tourist industries among others also use the phrase God's own country.
Kerala (Keralam) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; to its west and south lie the Indian Ocean islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. Kerala is one of four states that compose the linguistic-cultural region known as South India.
First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region. Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. Finally, the States Reorganisation Act of November 1, 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-Independence governments, making Kerala among the Third World's longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-equitable, and most literate regions.
The etymology of Kerala is disputed. The prevailing theory states that it is an imperfect portmanteau that fuses kera ('coconut palm tree') and alam ('land' or 'location'). Natives of Kerala ? Keralites ? thus refer to their land as Keralam. Other theories have the name originating from the phrase chera alam (Land of the Chera). Kerala's tourist industries among others also use the phrase God's own country.
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