AREA: 2579 Km
POPULATION: 2584118
ALTITUDE: Sea level
ACCESS:
Air: Thiruvananthapuram International airport (78 km south)
Air: Thiruvananthapuram International airport (78 km south)
Rail: Kollam junction
Kollam, formerly known as Quilon, is endowed with a long coastal region and an old sea port town covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake. The district is blessed with unique features such as stretching from the mountain of the Western Ghats to the waters of the Arabian Sea; this south Kerala district has all the natural attractions that can be found throughout the rest of the state. Dense reserve forest with an eco tourism destination in the high ranges, verdant plantations with commercial crops and spices in the foothills, lush paddy and other cultivation in the plains and the costal belt, and the sparkling beaches along the sea cost – the essence of God’s Own Country.
The 16th century Portuguese writer Duaret Barbossa mentioned about Kollam as “A very great city “. Extolled by travelers like Plini, Marco Polo and Ibn Batutta, Kollam was an ancient Urban maritime trade centre from the beginning of the Christian era.. Frequented by travelers and traders from the days of Roman Empire who came seeking the famed spices of the coasts, Kollam has since 19th century been home for the cashew industry. The busting town is located on the sea shore and alongside the Ashtamudi lake. It is the centre of Kerala’s cashew processing industry. Its ancient sea port has attracted traders and travelers from different parts of the world. From centuries past. They include Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and Sulaiman of Siraf (Persia). Though a Syrian trader is credited with developing the town in the 9th century, there is a advance of a flourishing community in the locality with ancient trade and cultural links to Far and Middle east Asian trading centers. Portuguese traders started settlements in Kollam around 1500AD, and they were followed by Dutch and the British.
No comments:
Post a Comment