Overview
Kollam district is one of the fourteen administrative districts of the Indian state of Kerala, located on the south-western coast of the country. The district takes its name from its headquarters, the historic port city of Kollam (formerly anglicised as Quilon), which has long been a centre of maritime trade on the Malabar Coast. The district is bordered by Thiruvananthapuram to the south, Pathanamthitta to the north-east, Alappuzha to the north, the Lakshadweep Sea to the west, and the state of Tamil Nadu to the east.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Kerala |
| Headquarters | Kollam |
| Region | South Kerala |
| Coastline | Lakshadweep Sea (Arabian Sea) |
| Major language | Malayalam |
| Type | Revenue district |
Geography
Kollam district presents a varied geography that descends from the Western Ghats in the east to the coastal plain in the west. The eastern parts include forested highlands and rubber-growing midlands, while the western belt is characterised by paddy fields, coconut groves, backwaters and a long stretch of coastline. The Ashtamudi Lake, a large palm-shaped estuarine lake recognised as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, lies within the district and drains into the sea at Neendakara. The Kallada River is the principal river of the district, fed in part by the Thenmala (Parappar) reservoir.
Climate and natural features
The district experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with rainfall from both the south-west and north-east monsoons. The Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the eastern forests near Thenmala, forms part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Thenmala is also known as one of India's planned eco-tourism destinations.
Administration
Kollam district is administered by a District Collector and is divided into revenue taluks including Kollam, Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram and Punalur. The district has the Kollam Municipal Corporation as its principal urban body, along with several municipalities such as Karunagappally, Paravur, Punalur and Kottarakkara, and a network of grama panchayats grouped under block panchayats. For parliamentary representation, the district contains the Kollam and Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituencies (the latter shared with adjoining districts), and several Kerala Legislative Assembly constituencies.
History
The port of Kollam has a documented history of long-distance trade going back well over a millennium, with mentions in Arab, Chinese and European travel accounts. The Malayalam Era, known as Kollavarsham, is traditionally associated with the founding of Kollam in 825 CE. Medieval travellers including Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo recorded visits to the city, which traded in spices, especially black pepper, with West Asia, China and later Europe.
During the colonial era, parts of the present district came under the kingdom of Travancore, while the Portuguese, Dutch and British East India Company successively established trading interests at Tangasseri and Thangassery Fort. After the integration of Travancore-Cochin and the formation of the State of Kerala on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, Kollam was constituted as one of the new state's districts. The district was earlier known as Quilon district before official renaming.
Economy
The economy of Kollam district is diversified. Cashew processing has historically been a defining industry, with Kollam often described as the cashew capital of the country; numerous factories around the town process raw cashew, much of it imported, for domestic and export markets. Marine fishing is centred at Neendakara and Sakthikulangara harbours, which are among the principal fishing bases on the Kerala coast. Coir, handloom, ceramics and small-scale manufacturing are also significant. Inland, plantation crops such as rubber, tea, pepper and tapioca contribute to the rural economy, particularly in the eastern taluks around Punalur and Pathanapuram.
Transport
Kollam is well connected by rail and road. The Kollam Junction railway station is a major station on the southern railway network and historically had one of the longest railway platforms in the country. National Highway 66 (formerly NH 47) runs along the coast through the district, while National Highway 744 connects Kollam to Tirumangalam in Tamil Nadu via Shenkottai. The Kollam–Kottarakkara–Punalur corridor links the coastal belt with the eastern highlands. Inland water transport on Ashtamudi Lake and the West Coast Canal connects Kollam with Alappuzha, including a long-running tourist boat service.