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10-01-2025

14 Districts in Kerala 2025

By JAIN College

Kerala has 14 districts, each showcasing the state's unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. These districts are grouped into three regions. Northern Kerala: Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram known for lush greenery, spice plantations, and cultural landmarks like Bekal Fort and Theyyam rituals. Central Kerala: Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam the cultural and commercial hub, featuring attractions like Thrissur Pooram, Silent Valley National Park, and Fort Kochi. Southern Kerala: Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram  home to the iconic backwaters, hill stations like Munnar, and spiritual sites like Sabarimala Temple.Kerala's districts are vital for its administrative framework, tourism, and economy, making it a remarkable state to explore.

Which is the largest district in Kerala ?

The largest district in Kerala is Idukki, covering 4,479 sq. km. Known for its lush greenery, spice plantations, and hill stations like Munnar, it houses the Idukki Arch Dam and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Its cool climate and scenic beauty make it a top tourist destination.

Kerala Land Area

Kerala has a land area of 38,863 square kilometers. Located in the southwest corner of India, it makes up just 1.18% of the country's total area but is home to approximately 3.43% of India's population.

Districts of Kerala

District in Kerala

Region

Headquarters

Famous For

Thiruvananthapuram

Southern Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram

Capital city, IT hub, and historical sites

Kollam

Southern Kerala

Kollam

Cashew industry, backwaters

Pathanamthitta

Southern Kerala

Pathanamthitta

Pilgrimage and rubber plantations

Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Southern Kerala

Alappuzha

Backwaters and houseboats

Kottayam

Southern Kerala

Kottayam

Literacy hub and rubber plantations

Idukki

Southern Kerala

Painavu

Hill stations, hydropower, and spices

Ernakulam

Central Kerala

Kochi

Commercial hub and port city

Thrissur

Central Kerala

Thrissur

Cultural festivals and temples

Palakkad

Central Kerala

Palakkad

Agriculture and historical landmarks

Malappuram

Northern Kerala

Malappuram

Education, culture, and football

Kozhikode (Calicut)

Northern Kerala

Kozhikode

Historic trade hub and culinary delights

Wayanad

Northern Kerala

Kalpetta

Wildlife and tribal culture

Kannur

Northern Kerala

Kannur

Handlooms and folklore

Kasaragod

Northern Kerala

Kasaragod

Linguistic diversity and historical sites

Kerala's Districts Categorized By Region

Northern Kerala Districts

  1. Kasaragod

  2. Kannur

  3. Wayanad

  4. Kozhikode (Calicut)

  5. Malappuram

Central Kerala Districts

  1. Palakkad

  2. Thrissur

  3. Ernakulam

Southern Kerala Districts

  1. Idukki

  2. Kottayam

  3. Alappuzha (Alleppey)

  4. Pathanamthitta

  5. Kollam

  6. Thiruvananthapuram

This regional classification reflects Kerala's geographical and administrative organization, with distinct cultural, economic, and natural characteristics in each region.

Districts of kerala - Insights 

 Thiruvananthapuram District

  • Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Thiruvananthapuram

  • Famous For: Capital city of Kerala, IT hub, and historical landmarks.

  • Major Attractions: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kovalam Beach, Napier Museum, and Poovar Island.

 Kollam District

 Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kollam

  • Famous For: Cashew industry, backwaters, and beaches.

  • Major Attractions: Ashtamudi Lake, Jatayu Earth’s Center, Thangassery Lighthouse, and Palaruvi Waterfalls.

Pathanamthitta District

  • Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Pathanamthitta

  • Famous For: Pilgrimage sites and rubber plantations.

  • Major Attractions: Sabarimala Temple, Aranmula Boat Race, Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls, and Gavi Eco-tourism.

Alappuzha (Alleppey) District

  • Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Alappuzha

  • Famous For: Backwaters, houseboats, and coir industry.

  • Major Attractions: Alappuzha Beach, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Marari Beach, and Vembanad Lake.

Kottayam District

  • Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kottayam

  • Famous For: Rubber plantations, literacy, and religious diversity.

  • Major Attractions: Vaikom Temple, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Vagamon Hill Station, and Kumarakom.

 Idukki District

  • Region: Southern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Painavu

  • Famous For: Hill stations, hydropower projects, and spice cultivation.

  • Major Attractions: Munnar, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Arch Dam, and Thekkady.

 Ernakulam District

  • Region: Central Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kochi

  • Famous For: Commercial and industrial hub, port city.

  • Major Attractions: Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Mattancherry Palace, and Cherai Beach.

Thrissur District

  • Region: Central Kerala

  • Headquarters: Thrissur

  • Famous For: Cultural festivals, temples, and classical art.

  • Major Attractions: Thrissur Pooram, Guruvayur Temple, Vadakkunnathan Temple, and Kerala Kalamandalam.

 Palakkad District

  • Region: Central Kerala

  • Headquarters: Palakkad

  • Famous For: Paddy fields, historical landmarks, and natural reserves.

  • Major Attractions: Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad Fort, Malampuzha Dam, and Nelliyampathy Hills.

 Malappuram District

  • Region: Northern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Malappuram

  • Famous For: Education, football, and cultural heritage.

  • Major Attractions: Kottakkunnu, Nilambur Teak Museum, Thirunavaya Temple, and Adyanpara Waterfalls.

 Kozhikode (Calicut) District

  • Region: Northern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kozhikode

  • Famous For: Historic trade hub, culinary delights, and beaches.

  • Major Attractions: Kozhikode Beach, Beypore Port, Kappad Beach, and Mananchira Square.

 Wayanad District

  • Region: Northern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kalpetta

  • Famous For: Wildlife, tribal culture, and adventure tourism.

  • Major Attractions: Edakkal Caves, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chembra Peak, and Banasura Sagar Dam.

 Kannur District

  • Region: Northern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kannur

  • Famous For: Handloom industry, folklore, and Theyyam performances.

  • Major Attractions: Payyambalam Beach, St. Angelo’s Fort, Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, and Arakkal Museum.

 Kasaragod District

  • Region: Northern Kerala

  • Headquarters: Kasaragod

  • Famous For: Linguistic diversity, historical forts, and coastal beauty.

Major Attractions: Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Ananthapura Lake Temple, and Valiyaparamba Backwaters.

Importance of Districts District

  1. Administrative Efficiency:
    Kerala's 14 districts ensure effective governance and decentralization, making state policies accessible at the grassroots level.

  2. Cultural Diversity:
    Each district reflects unique traditions, festivals, and art forms, such as Theyyam in Kannur and boat races in Alappuzha.

  3. Tourism Development:
    Districts like Idukki, Wayanad, and Ernakulam are significant contributors to Kerala's tourism, showcasing backwaters, hill stations, and heritage sites.

  4. Economic Contributions:
    Districts like Palakkad (agriculture), Ernakulam (commerce), and Alappuzha (coir industry) play a vital role in Kerala's economy.

  5. Geographical Significance:
    The districts cover diverse terrains, from coastal areas (Kollam, Alappuzha) to hilly regions (Idukki, Wayanad), fostering biodiversity and eco-tourism.

  6. Resource Management:
    District-level management of resources like water, spices, and forests ensures sustainable development across Kerala.

  7. Education and Health:
    Districts like Kottayam (high literacy) and Kozhikode (medical institutions) highlight Kerala's emphasis on education and healthcare.

  8. Heritage Preservation:
    Historical landmarks, temples, and forts in districts like Thrissur, Kasaragod, and Thiruvananthapuram preserve Kerala's rich history.

Fun Facts About the Districts of Kerala District

  1. Smallest District by Area: Alappuzha, often called the "Venice of the East" due to its beautiful backwaters.
    Largest District by Area: Idukki, famous for its hill stations and lush greenery.

  2. First 100% Literate District: Kottayam achieved this milestone, earning Kerala the title of India's most literate state.

  3. Most Populous District: Malappuram, which also holds the record for being one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.Least Populous District: Wayanad, known for its forests and tribal heritage.

  4. District with the Longest Coastline: Kozhikode, which was historically a major spice trade hub and the landing site of Vasco da Gama.

  5. Richest Temple in the World: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in the capital district of Thiruvananthapuram.

  6. Iconic Backwaters: Alappuzha and Kollam are famous for their scenic backwater tourism and houseboats.

  7. Highest Number of Forests: Idukki and Wayanad have the largest forest cover, contributing to Kerala's biodiversity.

  8. Festival Capital: Thrissur, home to the grand Thrissur Pooram, is considered Kerala's cultural heart.

  9. Historical Significance: Kannur and Kasaragod are known for ancient forts, including the Bekal Fort, the largest in Kerala.

  10. Unique Geological Feature: Wayanad Edakkal Caves contain petroglyphs dating back over 6,000 years.

  11. Cashew Hub: Kollam leads the state's cashew processing industry, earning global recognition.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kerala has 14 districts in the 2024 administrative list.

Ernakulam is considered the richest district in Kerala due to its thriving commercial activities, IT hubs like Infopark, and the presence of the Cochin Port.

Wayanad is often considered the poorest district due to its higher levels of poverty, dependency on agriculture, and lack of industrial development.

Malappuram is the most populous district in Kerala, with a population exceeding 4.5 million as of the latest estimates.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital district, is often regarded as one of the safest districts due to better law enforcement and civic amenities.

Idukki is often referred to as "God's Own District" for its breathtaking natural beauty, lush green landscapes, and serene environment.

Kasaragod has one of the smallest urban populations among Kerala's cities.

Malappuram is the fastest-growing district, noted for its rapid population growth and urban development.

Kochi (Cochin), in the district of Ernakulam, is one of the oldest cities in Kerala with a rich history of maritime trade dating back centuries.

Alappuzha is the smallest district in Kerala by area, known for its iconic backwaters.

Thrissur is often credited for using the purest form of Malayalam, as it is the cultural capital of the state.

Alappuzha has been recognized as one of the cleanest districts in India, particularly for its waste management practices.

Kottayam is known as the "Land of Letters" and is recognized for its high literacy rate and strong educational infrastructure

About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education. Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

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