"Once you have seen Kollam you would no more need your illam (Home)"
This was the common proverb which was said to describe the beauty and features of the Kollam region. It was recognized as the
“Capital of Heaven”.
Erstwhile known as Desinganadu, Kollam or Quilon is one of the oldest sea port town located on the Arabian coastline. The region holds the pride of being recognized as one of the famous trade centres from the time of Phoenicians and the Romans.
In the ancient times the rulers of the Desinganadu and China had entered into an agreement of the trade between the two countries. During his visit to India in the 9th century the Persian trader Sulaiman of Siraf discovered Kollam as the only port having huge Chine junks. Apart from this various travelers visited the region of Kollam during their visit to the Indian continent. Marco Polo, who was a Venician traveler was in Chinese service as Chinese mandari under Kublahan visit the various towns located on the western coast including Kollam in the year 1275.
In the 1502 Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish their official trade centre at Kollam in 1502. After them in the later years the British traders established their trade centre in 1795, as the result of treaty between Travancore and the British government.
Velu Thampi Dalawa , a merchant from Travancore made huge efforts for the development of the Kollam region. He developed new markets for the traders and invited traders from Madras and Thiruelveli to operate their business from this region. In the later years Kollam became the capital of the liberal rulers of Desinganad.
However the record regarding the proper set up of administrative unit can be seen from 1835, when the region of Travancore consisted of two revenue divisons having headquarters at Kollam and Kottayam. In 1949 when the regions of Travancore and Cochin were integrated Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions of the state. Later these three revenue divisions were constituted as separate districts. With the implementation of the State Reorganization Act of 1956, the Shencottah taluk was merged with the Madras state.
With the formation of Alappuzah district in 1957, the taluks of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Mavelikkara, Karthikappally, Chenganuur and Thiruvalla were merged into the new district. On July 1st , 1983 when Pathanamthitta district was constituted the Pathanamthitta Taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur Taluk of the district were also removed. Now the district of Kollam has a single revenue division with headquarter at Kollam. The district of Kollam is surrounded by the districts of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha in the north and Thiruvananthapuram district in the south.
Statistical Facts about Kollam
Area (Sq.Km)
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2491
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Population (Census 2001)
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2584118
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Males
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1248616
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Females
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1335502
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Literacy Rate
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91.49 % (Male 94.63 % ; Female 88.60)
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Coastal Line in Kms
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37
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Water Bodied Area in Ha.
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14,438
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Forest Area in Ha.
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81.438
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Assembly Constituencies
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1. Karunagappally
2. Kunnathoor
3. Chavara
4. Neduvathoor
5. Kottarakkara
6. Punalur
7. Pathanapuram
8. Chadayamangalam
9. Kundra
10. Chathannur
11. Eravipuram
12. Kollam
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Geography: The district has an abundant supply of the natural resources. The minerals like Ilmenite, Rutile, Monosite and Zircon are found in huge quantity in the sand collections on the beaches and used for the industrial purposes.
The district is blessed with two rivers which serve as the major source of irrigation in the region with the huge deposit of water. With an objective of increasing the potential of irrigation various plans were initiated in 1953 to undertake river basin schemes. Kallada Irrigation Project is the biggest multipurpose project initiated by the state government with an objective of the maximum utilization of the water of Kallada river for the irrigation purpose in the three districts namely Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.
While major and medium irrigation schemes are being taken up by the State Government directly, individual minor irrigation schemes, viz., dug-wells, bore-wells, tube- wells, pump sets, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems are being financed by commercial co-operative banks.
Economic Infrastructure of the district:
Agriculture: The total area of cultivation in the district is 2,18,267 hectares. The major agricultural crops of the district are paddy, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pepper, banana, mango and cashew. 70% of the total workforce is involved in the agricultural activities. The agrarian structure in the district is mainly dominated by the marginal and small farmers.
Industries: There are 17 large, and one medium scale industries in the district, of which, two are Central Government undertakings.
- Indian Rare Earths, Chavara
- Parvathi Mills Ltd., Kollam.
- Kerala Ceramics Ltd., Kundara,
- Travancore Plywood Industries, Punalur,
- Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company, Kundara,
- Kerala Premo Pipe factory Chavara,
- Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited, Chavara,
- United Electrical Industries Kollam
- Kerala Agro-Fruit Products, Punalur
These companies are owned by the government of Kerala.
Other major industries in private / cooperative sector are
- Aluminium Industries Ltd., Kundara,
- Thomas Stephen & Co., Kollam, Floorco Paravur,
- Cooperative Spinning Mill, Chathannur and
- Punalur Paper Mills, Punalur.
About 1963 SSI units have been registered in the district.
Tourist Destinations: The major tourist destinations of the state are as:
Thangassery Light House: It was built in 1902. The Ananda Valleswaram Temple here, attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques in and around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D.
Mahatma Gandhi beach and park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic Village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing, Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 Kms. from the town. It is fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullawaram Beach is 5 kms. from the town. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Asramam picnic village is located in the 48 acre Guest House Complex. This is the centre of various tourism development activities of the district.
Achencoil: It is one of the important piligrim centre located almost 80 kms from Punalur. The temple of Sastha deity is located in the dense forest. It is believed that the idol of Sastha is supposed to have been installed several years before the Christian Era. he two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Revathi'(January-February).
Amritapuri: It is located 110 kms from the capital of Kerla. The city is based on following the ancient Indian principle “The Whole World is One Family” (Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam). Kayamkulam (12 km north of Amritapuri) and Karunagappally (10 km south) are the major cities to reach. By air and taxi: The two closest airports are in Trivandrum (110 km south of Amritapuri) and in Cochin (140 km north).
Connectivity: The district is well connected by all the means of transport:
Airways: The nearest airport Thiruvananthapuram is 71 Kms away.
Railwyas: Kollam (Quilin) is connected by rail with several important cities of India.
Roadways: Kollam (Quilon) is connected by road with many tourist centers in India. Regular buses are available for intra state transport. Buses also run to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
To know more about Kollam, explore here