Malabar (Northern Kerala)

Malabar (Northern Kerala) (Malayalam: മലബാര്‍, is an area of southern India lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. The name is thought to be derived from the Malayalam word Mala (hill) and puram (region) derived or westernised into bar. This part of India was a part of the British East India Company-controlled Madras State, when it was designated as Malabar District. It included the northern half of the state of Kerala and some coastal regions of present day Karnataka. The area is predominantly Hindu but the majority of Kerala's Muslim population known as Mappila also live in this area, as well as a sizable ancient Christian population. The name is sometimes extended to the entire south-western coast of the peninsula, called the Malabar Coast. Malabar is also used by ecologists to refer to the tropical and subtropical moist broad-leaf forests of south-western India (present day Kerala). Kozhikode is considered as the capital of Malabar.

In ancient times, the term Malabar was used to denote the entire south-western coast of the Indian peninsula. But today, Malabar is only used for the former Malabar district, or northern districts of Kerala state.