The State of Kerala was formed
on 1st November 1956. About 50 per cent of the people depend on
agriculture for their livelihood. Kerala is a major producer of several
cash crops and spices like coconut, rubber, pepper, cardamom, ginger,
cocoa, cashews, coffee, tea, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, rice, tapioca,
and fruit like mango, pineapple and jackfruit. The State has mineral
deposits of ilmenite, zircon and monazite. Notable industries in the
State are rubber, electric and electronic appliances, telephone cables,
transformers, drugs, chemicals, plywood, cigars, fertilizers, machine
tools, petroleum products, paints and computer software. Summer months
are warm, winters are mild and the State receives 301 cm. of rainfall
every year.