The state of Kerala has been divided into 14 districts for the sake of effective administration.




   Kasaragod district was part of South Kanara district of Madras state prior to the States reorganisation on 1st November 1956. On that day Kasaragod taluk was made part of the re-organised Malabar district of Kerala state. Two months later on 1st January 1957, the present region covered by Kasaragod district became a part of the newly formed Cannanore (later renamed as Kanoor) district. Along with it the erstwhile Kasaragod taluk was bifurcated into Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks. In 1984 Kasaragod became a new district with Kasaragod town as its headquarters.



   Kannur is a city and a municipality in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the district of Kannur. It is known as Land of Looms and Lores. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its Anglicised name of Cannanore, which is still in fairly common usage.
Kannur is the fourth largest urban agglomeration in Kerala after Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, and has a population of 498,207. According to data compiled by the economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kannur is one of ten best cities in India to live. Indicus considered six parameters — health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment — for preparing the 'reside-in' index.[1] It is popularly known as the city of Looms and Lores. Kannur is famous for its pristine beaches, its native performing art Theyyam, and its handloom industry.
Kannur is of strategic military importance. It houses one of the 62 military cantonments in the country, the Kannur Cantonment, and is the current seat of the Defence Security Corps.


   Also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode district. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom, and later of the erstwhile Malabar District.
Kozhikode has a population of 436,556 as per 2001 census, with an extended metropolitan population of about 0.9 million, making it the third largest urban agglomeration and the third largest city in Kerala. According to data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments, Kozhikode ranked as the second best city in India to reside in. Indicus considered six parameters – health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment – for preparing their 'reside-in' index of liveability


   Mallapuram is the Southernmost of the northern districts of Kerala. It shares boundaries with Kozhikode and Wayanad in the north and Tamil Nadu in the East. Palakkad forms most of its East and South boundary while the district also shares a short boundary with Thrissur. Lush green forests, the dreamy Nilgiris, a scenic landscape and fertile riverbeds are part of the attraction of this quaint region. This district is noted for its eminent literary and political figures. The land has given birth to many seers. Mallapuram town is its headquarters.


   The district headquarters of Wayanad are at Kalpetta. The district is known as Green Paradise due to the presence of dense forests and foliage. The district has a rich harvest of condiments and spices. Pepper, cardamom, coffee and tea are the major crops of this land. Kannur, Karnataka and Mallapuram are its neighbors in the North, East and South. To the West is the district of Kozhikode.







   With Thrissur to the North and the Arabian Ocean to the West; Iddukki to the East and Alappuzha and Kottayam to the South; the district of Eranakulam has the port of Eranakulam as its district headquarters. This district boasts of a number of islands. Kochi a magnificent natural harbor stands on one such island.







   The district headquarters of Idukki district lies in the town of Pinavu. Idukki is a central district of Kerala. It shares boundaries with Tamil Nadu in the East, Thrissur in the Noth, Eranakulam and Kottayam in the West and Pathanamthitta in the South. It is a very beautiful region and its main attractions are the wildlife sanctuaries and hill stations.






  The Palakkad district with its headquarters at Palakkadu town is the seat of cultural growth and activities in Kerala. Bound by Tamil Nadu, Mallapuram and Thrissur, the district is very influenced by the Tamil language and culture. The district is rich in Carnatic music exponents and conducts various cultural exchanges with the rest of the country.






  Eranakulam and Idukki to the South, Palakkad to its East and Mallapuram to its North, the district of Thrissur has Thrissur city as its headquarters. To the West is the Arabian Ocean and the district is known for its rich culture and traditions. The famous Pooram festival is celebrated in this city.









  Alappuzha was known as Allepey to the British. It is a low lying district of Kerala and the smallest in terms of area. It has the town of Alappuzha as its headquarters and is famed for its beautiful and calm backwaters. It has an excellent network of canals crisscrossing the region. Bound on the East by Pathanamthitta and South by Kollam, the district has the Arabian Sea on the remaining sides.





  The Kollam town (erstwhile Quilon) is the headquarters of the Kollam district. It is an old sea port and the district’s highlight is its commercial trade with China and other countries since historical times. The district is bound by Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta on the North and Thiruvananthapuram on the South.







  Kottayam is a district bound by Eranakulam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. The district headquarters are at Kottayam town. It is the first district in India to achieve 100% literacy. Kottayam is a historic region and its tourist attractions include the many lakes and forts.







  In 1982 the district of Pathanamthitta was formed and the town of Pathanamthitta was named its headquarters. It is surrounded by the districts of Kottayam, Idukki, Kollam and Alappuzha on all directions. It is an inland district. It is predominantly an agricultural district growing rubber and tea the most. The shrine at Sabaimala is a star attraction and about 10 million pilgrims visit it every year.





  Thiruvananthapuram city, the headquarters of the Thiruananthapuram district is also the state capital. It is the southern-most district of Kerala and the seat of administration, tourism and trade. Its many beaches, historic monuments and temples are the major tourist attractions. The district is also a great center for commercial trade.