Kerala, the narrow, fertile strip of land is in the south west coast of India. The western ghats, with their dense forests and extensive ridges, have sheltered Kerala from main land invaders and the long coastline has encouraged maritime contacts with the outside world from ancient period. Kerala offers beautiful and serene beaches, backs water cruises along the peaceful lagoons and canals, hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries.

People have been sailing to Kerala in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory for atleast 2000 years.The coast had been known to the Phoenicians, then the Romans, and later the Arabs and Chinese. Vasco da gamma's arrival in the 15th centuary heralded an era of European contacts as Portughese, Dutch, and English interests fought the Arab traders and them each other for the control of spice trade.

The present day state of Kerala was created in 1956 from the former states of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. Kerala had the first freely elected communist government in the world, elected in 1957. The participatory political system resulted in social policies that have produced relatively equitable distribution of land and income, low infant mortality and the highest literacy rates in the country. Now Kerala is the most progressive state in India.