Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty with the Arabian Sea on the west, the north by Ernakulam District, northeast by Kottayam district, on the east by Pathanamthitta, on the southeast by Kollam district. A vast network of backwaters, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing the land. This district lies between north latitude 90 05’ and 90 52’ east longitude 76 17’ and 76 48’. The district is an important backwater destination attracting thousands of foreign tourists every year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

The district was formed on 17th August 1957. It is the smallest district in area but having highest density of population (1501 /Sq.km). The total geographical area is 1414 sq. Km. The population of the district as per the Census 2011 was 2127789. This is the only district in Kerala having no high lands and forest. The district has a coastline of 82 kms.

Alappuzha town is full of manmade canals and bridges designed for promoting trade by water and road designed by Sri.Raja Kesavadas former Divan of State of Travancore. There was also a sea bridge in Alappuzha port for foreign trade. The city was known as ‘Venice of East’. Coir and coir products, Coconut, Ginger, Pepper and Turmeric were the important items of trade through Alappuzha port in the past. With the development of Cochin port and road transport, the importance of Alappuzha port diminished. Government has taken action to renovate Alappuzha port.

A singularity of this land is the region called Kuttanad --- a land of lush paddy fields referred to as the `Rice Bowl of Kerala' and one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. The entire district has been categorized into four agro climatic regions, namely, Onattukara, Coastal belt, Southern Midland and Kuttanad region. Physiographically, the district is divided into two broad divisions ie, low land and midland.

Heavy rainfall, a warm humidity of atmosphere and a fairly uniform temperature throughout the year are the characteristic climatic features of the district. The climate is moist, humid and hot in the coastal areas and is slightly cooler and drier in the interior region. The temperature ranges from 18 to 39°C. The normal annual rainfall received in the district is 2423mm.

Agriculture and Live Stock provide opportunities for augmenting income and employment in the rural households. Major crops cultivated in the District are paddy, coconut, tapioca, jack, mango, Plantain, Cashew, Pepper Arecanut etc. Paddy is the major crop cultivating in the District which comes around 34.16 percent of total cropped area of the District and 17.38 percent of total paddy area of the State. Coconut is the other major crop cultivating in the District, which contribution is around 36.26 percent of the total cropped area of the District. Coconut provides income and employment for large number of households with small land holdings..

A singularity of this land is the region called Kuttanad --- a land of lush paddy fields referred to as the `Rice Bowl of Kerala' and one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. The entire district has been categorized into four agro climatic regions, namely, Onattukara, Coastal belt, Southern Midland and Kuttanad region. Physiographically, the district is divided into two broad divisions ie, low land and midland.

The coastal belt of our district about 82 kms connected with a wide network of inland water bodies, Alappuzha has the requisite natural endowments for emerging as a leading fish producing district in the state. There are 54 fishing villages, where fishing and allied activities provide livelihood for vast majority of the population.

Achankovil, Pumba and Manimala are the important rivers passing through this district. The Vembanadu, which is the largest backwater in the state, is in the eastern side of this district. The major irrigation projects in the district are Pumba Irrigation Project and Kallada Irrigation Project.