Malappuram District
Most populous district in Kerala by Census 2011 population, known for its varied landscape, cultural heritage, educational institutions and historic traditions.
Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Supports the Census 2011 population basis and current Ecostat district statistics. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports the Census 2011 population and district profile.
District overview
Area
3,554 sq km
Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Selected source for the 3,554 sq km area figure. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Reports an alternate area of 3,550 sq km. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports an alternate area of 3,550 sq km.
Population (Census 2011)
4,112,920
Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Reports 4,112,920 population for Census 2011. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Demography District Census Handbook tables report the 2011 population. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports total population of 4,112,920.
Literacy Rate (Census 2011)
93.06%
Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Reports 93.06% literacy for the district profile.
Sex ratio (Census 2011; District Administration)
1,096 females per 1,000 males
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports 1,096 women per 1,000 men.
Headquarters
Malappuram
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: History Identifies Malappuram as the district headquarters.
Economy
Agriculture is an important economic sector. Gross cropped area (2019–20): 238,779 hectares. GDVA at current prices: ₹66,517 crore (2020–21). The District Administration identifies forests, timber, bamboo and wood-based industries as important. The Fisheries Department lists Ponnani, Koottayi, Parappanangadi and Tanur among major fishing centres and identifies Ponnani as a major fisheries port.
Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Reports gross cropped area of 238,779 hectares (2019–20) and GDVA at current prices of ₹66,517 crore (2020–21). Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Identifies forests, timber, bamboo and wood-based industries as important. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Fisheries Lists major fishing centres and identifies Ponnani as a major fisheries port.
Climate
The District Administration describes a dry season from December to February, a hot season from March to May, and a southwest monsoon period during which nearly 75% of annual rainfall is received.
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Supports the seasonal climate description and southwest-monsoon rainfall share.
Best Time to Visit
August to November
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Tourism Recommends August to November as the best season to visit the district.
District background
History
Before 1947, present-day Malappuram areas belonged to parts of Kozhikode, Ernad, Valluvanad and Ponnani taluks of the Madras Presidency. Administrative changes took place in 1957 and 1969: Tirur taluk was formed in 1957 and Perinthalmanna was formed from former Valluvanad. Malappuram district was formed on 16 June 1969 with Ernad, Perinthalmanna, Tirur and Ponnani taluks; Tirurangadi and Nilambur taluks were formed later. The District Administration describes Malappuram as a military headquarters of the Zamorins of Kozhikode since ancient times. It identifies the district as an important setting for the Khilafat movement and Mappila uprisings, including the Malabar Rebellion of 1921. The Administration also records Malappuram as a former headquarters of European and British troops and later of the Malabar Special Police, and notes fort ruins associated with Tipu Sultan.
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: History Supports the taluk changes, formation history, headquarters, Zamorin association, Khilafat movement, Mappila uprisings and fort history. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports formation on 16 June 1969. Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram The current Ecostat profile displays a conflicting formation-year field of 16 June 1970.
Geography
The District Administration describes three natural divisions: coastal lowlands along the Arabian Sea, central midlands, and eastern and northeastern highlands. The terrain is undulating and includes rivers and forests. The official boundaries are the Nilgiris to the east, the Arabian Sea to the west, Kozhikode and Wayanad to the north, and Palakkad and Thrissur to the south. The Fisheries Department reports a 70 km coastline. The District Administration reports 758.8684 sq km of forest area, including 325.3261 sq km of reserve forests and 433.5423 sq km of vested forests; these are its reported figures, not a 2026 forest-cover measurement. Ecostat’s 2011 Panchayat Level Statistics separately report 723.9181 sq km, a different dataset.
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Supports the natural divisions, boundaries, terrain, rivers and the Administration-reported forest-area figures. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Fisheries Reports a 70 km sea coast. Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Panchayat Level Statistics 2011 A separate 2011 dataset reports forest area of 723.9181 sq km.
Climate
The District Administration describes a dry season from December to February, a hot season from March to May, and a southwest monsoon period during which nearly 75% of annual rainfall is received.
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Supports the seasonal climate description and southwest-monsoon rainfall share.
Culture
Malappuram has a significant history of Islamic scholarship and Mappila cultural traditions alongside Kerala’s broader literary, artistic and educational traditions. Ponnani developed as an important centre of Islamic learning in Malabar.
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Supports the district’s cultural and historical context. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Places of Interest Describes Ponnani as a prominent centre of Islamic learning in Malabar.
Popular Attractions
Source: Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Places of Interest Used for the existing Malappuram records whose names and concise descriptions are supported there. Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Tourist Places Official district tourist-place index used to check existing attraction records.
Attractions by type in Malappuram
District Services
Sources
- Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Malappuram Reports area 3,554 sq km, population 4,112,920 (Census 2011), literacy 93.06%, gross cropped area 238,779 hectares (2019–20) and GDVA at current prices of ₹66,517 crore (2020–21). Its current formation-date field conflicts with the District Administration.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: About District Reports area 3,550 sq km and forest area 758.8684 sq km (325.3261 reserve; 433.5423 vested), and describes the district’s divisions, boundaries, rivers and forests.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Demography District Census Handbook tables support the 2011 population.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: District at a Glance Reports formation on 16 June 1969, area 3,550 sq km, population 4,112,920, sex ratio 1,096 and the district boundaries.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: History Supports the district formation and administrative history, headquarters, Zamorin association and Mappila and Khilafat history.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Tourism Recommends August to November as the best season to visit Malappuram.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Places of Interest Supports the cited existing attractions, including Padinjarekkara Beach, Biyyam Kayal, Kadalundi, Thirunavaya, Kadampuzha, Thirumandhamkunnu and Nilambur Teak Museum.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Tourist Places Official district tourist-place index used to check existing attraction records.
- Government source: Malappuram District Administration: Fisheries Reports a 70 km sea coast and lists major fishing centres, including Ponnani, Koottayi, Parappanangadi and Tanur.
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