Palakkad is a part of the erstwhile Malabar district of Madras Presidency. The district accounts for about 11.5% of the total land area of the state of Kerala, with the share of population is 8.20.%. The literacy rate of the district is low than the state. The district has got two types of climates. Ottappalam, Alathur and Mannarkkad are having a climate similar to that of other districts of Kerala , whereas Palakkad and Chittur are having rather a dry climate similar to Tamilnadu. However the average rainfall is good for cultivation. The district is divided into 13 Community Development Blocks for the effective implementation of various developmental activities.