The '''Kerala Backwaters''' are a chain of [[brackish]] lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the [[Arabian Sea]] coast (known as the [[Malabar Coast]]) of [[Kerala]] state in southern [[India]]. The werenetwork formedincludes byfive thelarge actionlakes of(including wavesAshtamudi and shoreVembanad) currentslinked creatingby low1500 [[barrier island]]s across the mouthskm of thecanals, manyboth riversmanmade flowingand downnatural, from the [[Western Ghats]] range. Connectedfed by artificial38 canalsrivers, theyand formextending avirtually cheapthe meansentire length of transit;Kerala andstate. aThe largewere local trade is carried onformed by inlandthe navigation.action Fishingof waves and fishcuringshore iscurrents ancreating importantlow industry.[[barrier Theisland]]s networkacross includesthe five large lakes linked by 1500 kmmouths of canals,the both manmade and natural, fed by 38many rivers,andflowing extendingdown virtuallyfrom the entire[[Western lengthGhats]] of Kerala staterange.
Vembanad is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of 200 sq km. The port of [[Kochi, India|Kochi]] (Cochin) is located at the lake's outlet to the Arabian Sea.
Connected by artificial canals, the backwaters form an economical means of transit, and a large local trade is carried on by inland navigation. Fishing and fishcuring is an important industry.
