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more remarkably a survey conducted<br />
i n 2 0 0 5 b y T r a n s p a r e n c y<br />
International ranked Kerala as the<br />
least corrupt state of India.<br />
Geographically, Kerala can be<br />
divided into three climatically<br />
distinct regions: the eastern<br />
highlands (mountainous terrain), the<br />
central midlands ( hills), and the<br />
western lowlands (coastal plains).<br />
Eastern Kerala lies immediately<br />
west of the Western Ghats's rain<br />
shadow and it consists of high<br />
mountains, gorges and deep-cut<br />
valleys. 41 of Kerala’s west-flowing<br />
rivers, and 3 of its east-flowing ones<br />
originate in this region. Here, the<br />
Western Ghats form a wall of<br />
mountains interrupted only near<br />
Palakkad, where the Palakkad Gap<br />
breaks through to provide access to<br />
the rest of India. The Western Ghats<br />
rise on an average to 4920 ft. above<br />
sea level, while the highest peaks<br />
reach to 8200 ft. Just west of the<br />
mountains lie the midland composing<br />
central Kerala where rolling hills and<br />
valleys dominate. Generally rising to<br />
3300 ft, the eastern portions of the<br />
Nilgiri and Palni Hills include<br />
formations such as Agastyamalai and<br />
Anamalai. Kerala’s western coastal<br />
COVER STORY<br />
belt is relatively flat, and is crissc<br />
r o s s e d b y a n e t w o r k o f<br />
interconnected brackish canals, lakes,<br />
estuaries, and rivers known as the<br />
K e r a l a B a c k w a t e r s . L a k e<br />
Vembanada, Kerala’s largest body of<br />
water dominates the Backwaters. It<br />
lies between Alappuzha and Kochi<br />
and is more than 200 sq.km in area.<br />
With 120 to 140 rainy days per year,<br />
Kerala has a wet and maritime<br />
tropical climate influenced by the<br />
seasonal heavy rains of the southwest<br />
summer monsoon. Kerala is one of<br />
the most popular tourist destinations<br />
in India. Named as one of the "ten<br />
paradises of the world" by the<br />
National Geographic Traveller<br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>, Kerala is especially<br />
known for its ecotourism. The influx<br />
of tourists started from 1995 onwards<br />
when they started coming from the<br />
western countries in droves. Popular<br />
attractions in the state include the<br />
beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and<br />
Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar,<br />
Nelliampa t h i , P o n m u d i a n d<br />
Wayanad; and national parks and<br />
wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and<br />
Eravikulam. The "backwaters"<br />
which comprises an extensive<br />
network of interlocking rivers, lakes,<br />
and canals that centre on Alleppey,<br />
Kumarakom and Punnamada (where<br />
the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is<br />
held in August), also see heavy<br />
November <strong>2007</strong> ✦ <strong>Pravasi</strong> <strong>Today</strong><br />
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