Location: Kerala lies on the south-western tip of the Indian peninsula between 10° 00' N latitude and 76° 25' E longitude. The state is located on the Arabian coast of India and shares borders with Karnataka on the North-Eastern side and Tamil Nadu on the Eastern side.
Number of districts: The state, after its inception in 1956, has been divided into 14 districts for effective administration videlicet Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Trivandrum.
Climate: The state experiences a moderate tropical climate that varies little throughout the year. The maximum temperature usually varies between 27°C to 35°C in the plains and comes down to 20° C in the high-ranges. The state experiences summer season during the months of March to May, with the maximum temperature hovering around the range of 35°C. This season is also characterized by erratic ‘mango showers’ accompanied with lightening and thunder. The winter season starts from the month of November and extends till February. The temperatures vary between 30°C and 22°C during this period. The High-Ranges experience a cold climate with temperatures falling below 10°C during winter. Kerala experiences both South-West monsoon and North-East Monsoon. The South-West monsoon in India starts in June with the monsoon clouds hitting the coastal areas of Kerala. The state receives the highest amount of rainfall during this period which extends till the end of September. North-East monsoon, characterized by heavy evening showers accompanied with thunder and lightening, prevails between the months of October to November,
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, the youngest of all Dravidian languages, is the official language of the state. Other south Indian languages including Tamil, Kannada, Konkani and Telugu are spoken by linguistic minorities in the state. Majority of the populace speak English and Hindi is slowly gaining popularity in the state.
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). Denoted by - Rs.
Clothing: The best clothing to suit the tropical climate of Kerala is light cotton clothes. In the plains you can go a little lighter on the clothing side but limited within the purview of decency. If you are visiting the highlands, you must have woolen or winter clothes with you. If you are going into a wildlife reserve, avoid wearing colorful clothes and strong perfumes.
Best time to visit: Traditionally tourist season begins with a number of cultural events and celebrations organized by the Department of Tourism during October to March. Kerala is redefining this traditional concept now with an extended tourist season spanning all through the year with enthralling themes. The “monsoon tourism” luring tourists to enjoy the monsoon magic and the “dream season” to enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic therapies are some of the unique theme holidays offered.