Southern India
Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnartaka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
State |
Population (millions) |
Key Towns/ |
Literacy Rate |
Andhra Pradesh |
76.2 |
Hyderabad |
60.5 |
Goa |
1.3 |
Panaji |
88.4 |
Karnartaka |
52.8 |
Bangalore |
66.6 |
|
|
Manipur |
|
|
|
Mysore |
|
Kerala |
31.8 |
Cochin |
90.9 |
|
|
Calicut |
|
|
|
Trivandrum |
|
Pondicherry |
1.0 |
|
81.2 |
Tamil Nadu |
62.4 |
Chennai |
73.5 |
The southern states have a different look feel and cuisine. The majority of peole are Tamils with Hinduism still the majority religion.
Best known for the beaches of Goa and Cochin, the region has much more to offer. Bangalore is a relaxed and modern cosmopolitan city as is Chennai (formerly Madras). Kerala is seen by some as model state with high literacy and more women involved in all walks of life.
As with the Portuguese in Goa, the French left their mark in Pondicherry, again influenced by maritime & coastal activities and ceded to India in 1950.
Inland are the Melagiri, Palani, Cardamom and other hill ranges, that make up the Ghatshill ranges. In the hills are the Kolar Gold Fields and many small rivers that are navigable and worthy of a visit.
The southern region is a large plateau, separated from the Indo-Gangetic Plain by several smaller mountain ranges and flanked by the Eastern and the Western Ghats. Joining both Ghats at the southern point of the great plateau are the Nilgiri Hills and Cape Comorin. Here, Hindu's believe that bathing in the waters of 3 oceans will wash away their sins.
Industries
Varied industrial base, best known for the technology boom around Bangalore and the tourism related to Goa & Cochin.
- Automotive
- I.T.
- Electronics & Telecommunications
- Sea Food & Marine Products
- Software
- Automotive
- Textiles
- Tourism