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Destinations · Asia · india · Kerala · Worth knowing ·

Worth Knowing

Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS

- The population of Kerala is 30 million with more than 90 per cent literacy rate. On one side the state borders on the evergreen mountains, on the other its shores are washed by the Arab Sea. The uniqueness of Kerala roots in its geographical position and history. Kerala grows 90 % of all spices sold worldwide; spices have always been the fragrant gold of this Indian region. It was first discovered by Arabs, then Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Portuguese, French, Danes and finally the British. Each of these cultures has left its impact on Kerala. The architecture of Fort Cochin, the old town of Cochin, remains a unique blend of Portuguese, Arab, Dutch and British styles.

- One of the greatest Keralan treasures is its unique system of inland waters or backwaters: 45 rivers and 1900 kilometres of interconnected lakes, lagoons and canals. This system was originally created for rice and spice transportation from one village to another and is still being used as an alternative waterway.

- Communists are the governing party in the state of Kerala; thanks to the local government's policies the state has mostly been investing in education and healthcare, as opposed to industrialisation. This is the reason why Kerala has been spared the string of polluting and dangerous industrial objects constructed almost everywhere else in India during the 1960s - 1970s.

- Unlike most of India, the unemployment rate in Kerala is relatively low, mostly because practically every family has someone working in one of the Persian Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia seems to be the most popular choice. The earnings are frequently invested at home, in Keralan properties.

- You can safely leave your driver's licence at home as you head for Kerala. The best option is renting a chauffeured car: the traffic seems to operate according to its own rules here (loud honking before overtaking your car on a winding road segment with limited visibility is a good example), scaring most westerners stiff. However, by and by you come to realise that this chaos is actually functioning perfectly well; no-one seems to attempt to get the better of anyone else - everyone has to get somewhere, that's all.

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