Kerala Geography for PSC Exams | Short Notes & Study Materials

This page provides you facts and figures related to the Geography of Kerala for PSC exam. If you are looking for Kerala geography PSC questions, study material, short notes, frequently asked questions & answers on Kerala geography for PSC exams like LDC, junior employment officer, assistant engineer exams, Secretariat assistant exam, KAS exam, deputy collector exam etc, then this page will be a valuable resource for you. This page discusses the geographical facts of Kerala like physical features of Kerala, natural regions of Kerala, the climate of Kerala, soils of Kerala, lakes in Kerala, rivers of Kerala, wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala and Kerala agriculture.

Basic Geographical Facts about Kerala relevant for Kerala PSC

• Kerala has a width that stretches between the high ranges of Sahyadris in the east and the Arabian sea.

• The total area of Kerala is 38863 Sq Km. 

• The land share of Kerala in India is 1.18%

• The width of Kerala ranges between 35-120 Km

• Geographical location of Kerala: Latitude - 8 Degree 17.30 Minutes North and 12 Degree 17.40 Minutes North. Longitude - 74 Degree 27.47 Minutes East and 77 Degree 37.12 Minutes East.

• The population of Kerala - 3.33 Crores (according to 2011 census)

• Length of coastal line in Kerala - 580 Km

• Kerala shares borders with Tamilnadu & Karnataka

• Wayanad is the only district in Kerala that shares borders with both Tamilnadu and Karnataka.

Note:

• Kerala is known as God's own country.

• Kerala is the spice garden of India.

• Kerala is known as the land of lagoons and backwaters.

• Kerala is the political laboratory of India.

• Kuttanad is known as the Amsterdam of India.

• Kochi is known as the queen of the Arabian sea.

• Alappuzha is known as the Venice of the east.

• Vayalar is known as the coir village of India.

Confusing fact:

• Kerala state is well known as ‘God’s own country’. The country with the same recognition is New Zealand. Uttarakhand is known as the "Land of Gods" or "Devbhumi" because of the abundance of pilgrimage spots it has.
• The Great Hornbill, the state bird of Kerala is the national bird of Malaysia. Kerala’s state flower, Kanikkonna (Cassia fistula) is the national flower of Thailand. Coconut tree, our state tree is also recognized as the national tree of Maldives.
• Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state in India. Thiruvananthapuram is the southernmost capital in India.

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Physical Features of Kerala

Kerala is divided into three physiological divisions. They are as follows.

1. The Eastern Highlands (മലനാട്)
2. Central Midlands (ഇടനാട്)
3. Western Coastal Plains (തീരപ്രദേശം)

Eastern Highlands: - It accounts for 48 percent of the total land area of Kerala. Eastern highlands slopes down from western ghats and are covered by dense forests. Most of the forest resources of Kerala are from these regions. Major plantations found here are tea, coffee, and rubber. During Sangham period, this region was known as Kurinji and Mullai and the inhabitants of Kurinji were known as Vettuvar and Mullai were known as Ayar or Idayar. Sahyadri is a part of Eastern Highland. Wayanad plateau, Anamalai, Nelliampathi, Periyar plateau, Agasthya hills in Thiruvananthapuram are part of Eastern Highlands. Anamudi is the highest point (2695 m) in eastern highlands. Shola forests are found on the western slopes of eastern highlands.

Note: Formation of the Western Ghats
The Western Ghats are the mountainous faulted and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. Geologic evidence indicates that they were formed during the break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwana some 150 million years ago.

• The Nilgiri Biosphere reserve in the Western Ghats is the first Biosphere Reserve in India.

• Gadgil Report & Kasturirangan Report are related to the protection of Western Ghats.

• Agasthyakudam is the southernmost peak in the Western Ghats which has a height of 6132 feet.
• Almost all the rivers of the state originate from the Western Ghats. There are 44 rivers in the state, of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards west into the Arabian Sea. Only three rivers namely Kabani, Bhavani and Pambar (tributaries of river Kaveri) are flowing towards the eastern direction. As the Western Ghats are nowhere more than 120 km from the sea, all these rivers are comparatively short.

Note: Palakkad Gap/ Palghat Gap

The continuity of the Western Ghats is lost south of Nilgiris, where there is remarkable opening called the ‘Palghat/Palakkad Gap’ separating the Nilgiri massif from equally high and precipitous massif of Anaimalai to the south. Palghat/Palakkad Gap is the lowest mountain pass in the Western Ghats (between Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad in Kerala). The gap is about 30km wide and at its highest point 300 m above MSL.

There are various theories about the origin of the Palakkad gap. One among them is that it is caused by the landslide due to rivers flowing in opposite directions. The Bharatha Puzha originates in the Palakkad Gap from rivulets and tributaries feeding on steep escarpment slopes along the flanks of the Ghats.

Confusing Facts

• Palakkad gap or Palakkad pass is the lowest mountain pass in the Western Ghats located between Coimbatore & Tamilnadu. Thamarassei Mountain Pass is located in Wayanad. Dungri La/Mana Pass is the highest mountain pass in India located at Zanskar Mountain Range of Uttarakhand. Nathula Pass is in Sikkim. 

• Perambadi Ghat links Kerala and Coorg. Periya Pass & Thamarasseri Pass links Waynad (Mananthawadi) and Mysore. Bodinayikannur, Kambam, Aryankavu (Punalur with Sengottai), and Aramboli Passes connect Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Interesting Fact

The name 'Karinthandan' is associated with Thamarasseri Pass. Karinthandan was the local chieftain of Paniyas in Wayanad district in Kerala State. He lived between 1700 - 1750 AD. Karinthandan helped Britishers to find the shortest route to pass the ghat. Once the English engineer found out the way, he killed the Adivasi to take credit for finding the route. Later it was seen that the travelers who passed by the new route were haunted by the soul of Karinthandan

Central Midlands: - It accounts for 42 percent of the total land area of Kerala. Central Midlands lies between the Eastern Highlands and Western Coastal Plains. Most of the paddy fields of Kerala belongs to central Midlands. It mostly consists of Alluvial soil. During Sangham period, this region was known as Marutham and Uzhavar were the inhabitants there. Tapioca and banana are major crops in this region, however, areca nut and coconut are also cultivated.

Western Coastal Plains: - It covers an area of about 4000 Sq Km. Kerala coast runs about 580 Km length. Coconut is the major cultivation here. Coastal lines of Kerala is one of the densely populated regions in India. Backwaters in these coastal plains are known as 'Kayals'. During the Sangam period, this region was known as Neital. The inhabitants were known as Paratavar and Meenavar.

The Coastal belt is comparatively plain. Extensive paddy fields, thick groves of coconut trees and picturesque backwaters, interconnected with canals and rivers are the features of this region. No wonder, Alappuzha, an old seaport town of this region is known as the ’Venice of the East'. In the southern and northern parts of the State, the coastal belt also has some small hillocks.

Confusing facts:
It was Lord Curzon who coined the term ‘Venice of the East’ to Alappuzha. Cochin Diwan R K Shanmugam Chetty characterized Kochi as ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’.

Note:

• Palakkad, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad, and Pathanamthitta are the districts in Kerala without coastal plains.
• 9 districts in Kerala are having coastal plains.

• Kannur is the district with largest coastal plain in Kerala.

• Kollam is the district with least coastal plain in Kerala.

• Kochi is the major port of Kerala situated in Vembanad Lake.

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Natural Regions of Kerala

Natural regions are a small well-defined area with its distinguished common natural features like geography. There are 7 natural regions in Kerala. They are as follows.

1. The Eastern Highlands
2. Foot Hill Zones
3. Hilly Uplands
4. Palghat Gap (A gap of about 40 Km in western ghats)
5. Thrissur-Kanhangad plain
6. Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram rolling plain
7. Western coastal plain

Climate of Kerala

The climate of Kerala, as per Koppen's classification, is tropical monsoon with seasonally excessive rainfall and hot summer except over Thiruvananthapuram district, where the climate as tropical savana with seasonally dry and hot summer weather. 

There are 4 seasons in Kerala. They are as follows.

1. Winter season (January - February)
2. Summer season (March-May)
3. South - West Monsoon season (Kalavarsham) (June - September)
4. North - East Monsoon season (Thulavarsham) (October - December)

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Rainfall in Kerala

• Monsoon was invented by a traveler named Hippalus.

• January month receives the least rainfall in Kerala.

• Nariamangalam in Ernakulam district receives the most rainfall in Kerala.

• Least rainfall in Kerala is in Chinnar of Idukki district. It is because Chinnar is a rain shadow region and the only one of its kind in Kerala.

• Kozhikode district in Kerala receives the highest rainfall and least rainfall in Thiruvananthapuram district.

• Lakkidi in Wayanad is known as the Chirapunji of Kerala.

• The highest rainfall in Kerala was received in the year 2007. Before that, it was on 1924 which led to a flood in Kerala popularly known as "Floods of 99" as it happened in Kollam era 1099. 

• The hottest district in Kerala is Palakkad. However, the hottest place in Kerala is Punalur in Kollam district. Atmospheric temperature of Palakkad and Punalur rises to more than 40 degrees during the summer. These are because of the hot wind that blows from the east through the Palghat gap.

• Meteorological Center at Thiruvananthapuram was founded by Swathi Thirunnal.

• Pre-Monsoon summer rains of Kerala is known as Mango shower.

Njattuvela

• Njattuvela is the ancient system of the calculation of the rain and rainy season, prevailed in Kerala.
• Duration of each Njaattuvela is reckoned as 13 1⁄2 days. 
• Only one Njaattuvela is slightly longer (15 days) and it is the ‘Thiruvaathira Njaattuvela’ (June 21 to July 5), which is famous for its torrential rains and abundance of water.

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Soils of Kerala

Different types of soils in Kerala are as follows.

• Red soil: - The red color is due to the presence of Iron Oxide in the soil. It has good water absorption capacity but contains no soluble minerals. It is found in southern part of Thiruvananthapuram. 

• Laterite soil: - This soil covers 68% of total area of Kerala. Generally formed by weathering of sedimentary rocks. Rubber, pepper, cashew etc are major crops cultivated in this soil. It is predominantly found in northern part of Kerala like Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram & Kasargode.

• Coastal Alluvium: - It has low fertility and low water retaining capacity. Paddy, coconut, plantain and tuber crops are mainly cultivated in this soil. Sand is the main constituent and is found mainly in coastal areas of Kerala.

• Forest soils: - These are formed by weathering of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Forest soils are mainly found in Idukki, Wayanad and Palakkad districts. Pepper, rubber, tea, coffee, cardamom are the main crops cultivated in this soil.

• Black soil: - Found in Chittur taluk of Palakkad district. It contains no humus and sticky in nature. Cotton, groundnut, sugarcane etc are major crops.

• Riverine soil: - It is mainly found in Kollam taluk. It has a high water retention capacity and is very fertile. This soil is ideal for the cultivation of paddy, coconut, areca-nut, pepper, plantains, pulses and vegetables.

• Onattukara alluvium: - It is mainly found in Onattukara region comprising of Karunagappally and Mavelikkara taluk of Kollam and Alappuzha district. 

Note:

• Kerala Soil Museum is at Parottukonam, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Indian Institute of Soil Science is located at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Interesting Facts: '4'S RELATING TO KERALA

• "4 - 14 - 24 - 34 - 44"
• 4 - Kerala has '4' rivers which are longer than 160 Kms.
• 14 - Kerala has 14 districts.
• 24 - Kathakali has 24 basic mudras.
• 34 - There are 34 lakes in Kerala.
• 44 - There are 44 rivers in Kerala.

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Lakes in Kerala

There are 34 lakes in Kerala. Out of this 34 lakes, 27 are connected with the Arabian sea and 7 are inland lakes. The largest lake or backwaters of Kerala is Vembanadu Lake. Cochin port is located on Vembanadu lake. Muvattupuzha, Meenachil River, Manimala River, Pamba and Achan Kovil river are flowing into Vembanadu lake. Vallarpadam, Wellington, Vypin, Pathiramanal, Kadamakkudi are the islands in Vembanadu lake.

Ashtamudi Kayal is the second largest lake in Kerala. It is flowing through Kollam district. Kallada river is flowing to Ashtamudi lake. Peruman train tragedy took place in this lake. Ashtamudi lake is flowing to Arabian sea at Neendakara. Sasthamkotta lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala. Uppala is the northernmost lake in Kerala. Veli Lake is the southernmost lake in Kerala. Pookot Lake is the highest lake from sea level in Kerala. Nehru trophy boat race is held in Punnamada Kayal. National waterways 3rd is passing through 3 lakes - Ashtamudi, Vembanad and Kodungallur lake. It also passes through Champakkara canal and Udyogamandal canal.

Note: 

• Study about lakes is known as Limnology.

• The largest lake in India is Chilka in Odisha.

• The largest freshwater lake in India is Kolleru in Andhra Pradesh.

• The largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea.

• The largest freshwater lake in the world is Lake Superior.

• The largest inland freshwater lake is Wular in Jammu & Kashmir.

• The largest inland brackish water lake is Sambhar in Rajasthan.

• The saltiest lake in the world is Van in Turkey.

National Waterways in Kerala

• National Waterway 3 (NW 3) : Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of West Coast Canal and Champakara and Udyogmandal canals (205 Km) declared as National Waterway in 1993 in the state of Kerala.
• Alappuzha-Changanassery Canal (National Waterway 8), and Alappuzha-Kottayam-Athirampuzha Canal (National Waterway 9)

Useful link: - Rivers in Kerala for PSC exam - Read more >>

Irrigation in Kerala

Irrigation is one of the important aspects of Kerala geography. Only 19% of agricultural lands are irrigated in Kerala. 28% of land in Kerala depends upon good irrigation and 26% of land are irrigated by Canals. There are 18 dams in Kerala for irrigation purpose. Out of that 5 are check dams. Kallada project is the biggest irrigation project in Kerala. 'Jalanidhi' is a project of Kerala government with the help of World Bank with an objective of distribution of pure water for the rural population. 'Swajaldhara' is a Central government project for water supply in the rural area. 'Varsha' is a project of Kerala government for rainwater harvesting.

Dams in Kerala
Malampuzha is the biggest dam in Kerala. It is built across Bharathapuzha river in Palghat. Idukki is the biggest arch dam in Kerala. Biggest earth dam in India is Banasurasagar which is located in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is built across Kabani river. Mullapperiyar dam is constructed across the river Mullayar which is a tributary of river Periyar. It is the oldest gravity dam in the world. John Penni Kwik was the British architect who built this dam. Now there are disputes going on with Kerala and Tamilnadu regarding the safety of the dam and its water release.

Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks in Kerala

There are 36 forest divisions in Kerala and it has 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 5 National Parks, 2 Biosphere Reserves and 1 Community Reserve. Kadalundi in Malappuram district is the only one community reserve in Kerala. Nilgiri and Agasthyavanam are the 2 biosphere reserves in Kerala. National parks in  Kerala are Eravikulam (largest NP), Silent Valley, Anamudi Chola, Mathiketan Chola and Pampadum Chola (smallest NP). Silent Valley National Park got its name because of the absence of Cicada. It is also a home to the largest population of Lion-Tailed Macaque (Nilgiri Langer), which is an endangered species. 

Periyar wildlife sanctuary is the (Thekkady) is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and Mangalavanam is the smallest. Neyyar is the southernmost wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Neyyar (Marakunnam Island) is the first lion safari park in India. The Eravikulam national park is the home of Nilgiri Thar. It is the first national park in Kerala. Thattekkad is the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Thenmala is the first butterfly safari park in Asia.

Note: Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala which is not having any forest cover.

Agriculture in Kerala
Kerala is known as the spice garden of India. Kerala Agricultural University is situated at Mannuthy in Thrissur district of Kerala. Chittur, which is a rain shadow region is the only place where cotton is cultivated in Kerala. Nelliampathy is famous for orange cultivation and Neeleswaram is famous for tobacco cultivation. Pepper research center in Kerala is situated on Panniyoor in Kannur district. Coconut research institute in Kerala is situated on Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Anakkayam in Malappuram district is famous for Cashew research center. Mundakan is a winter crop which starts cultivation on October and harvested in January. Puncha is the summer crop which starts sowing in January and harvested in March-April. Karshakothama is the award for farming in Kerala. Chingam 1 (First day of first Malayalam month of Kerala) is considered as Farmer's day in Kerala. 2nd September is considered as coconut day. Paddy cultivation in Kerala will begin on April-June and harvested in September-October. It is known as 'virippu' which means an autumn or Kharif crop.  As of today, the area under agriculture is reducing in Kerala. Kerala is also transforming into a service sector economy.

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Kerala Geography Free YouTube Classes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKKpQv7DnZQ1vNVaavO9MBcojfCUSA3E

Note: This article has only provided you with some introductory facts related to Kerala Geography. If you want more detailed and PSC exam oriented Kerala Geography contents (including contents in this article in PDF format), you can avail an eBook (click here>>). 

This eBook is prepared based on Kerala PSC previous year question papers and covers the complete syllabus of Kerala Geography for PSC exams.

This eBook will also be helpful for civil service aspirants from Kerala, especially those who have taken geography as the optional subject in Mains exam. They may encounter Kerala Geography based questions in their final interview.

Other Useful Links

• Kerala Renaissance Study Material for PSC exams

• Kerala Geography Study Material for PSC exams

• Indian Constitution Study Material for PSC exams

• Social Welfare Schemes & Programs Study Material for PSC exams

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