Kerala is a small state, tucked away in the south west corner of India. Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters, and they form a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of the state. They include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly along the coast. The biggest backwater is Vembanad lake, some 200 sq.km in area, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.

Kerala accounts for 92 % of India's rubber and 70 % of coconut. It is also the single largest producer of a number of other crops like banana and ginger. 

Historically, the Kappad beach near Kozhikode (Calicut) was the site of landing of Vasco da Gama's ships on May 17,1498. It heralded the arrival of Europeans to India. The Portuguese were followed by the French, Dutch and British, the last of whom ruled India till its independence on August 15, 1947. 

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital of the state, is an abode of temples, mosques and churches. Cochin (locally called Kochi), is the major port and is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. The beautiful Willingdon Island with the adjoining port is a great attraction.

The pantomime dance drama Kathakali performed by men, "the dance of the enchantress", Mohiniyattam, performed by women and Thullal the solo dance exposition, are among the classical dance forms of Kerala. 

You can find more on Kerala at this site.