Ernakulam is the major industrial, financial and commercial hub of Kerala. The Cochin Port, Cochin Shipyard, Info Park, etc. has facilitated the faster growth of the city. Tourism has also contributed heavily to the economy of the district. The city with its temples, old churches and its culture is ranked first in the number of domestic tourists visiting Kerala. Cohin international air port is located in northern part of the district at Nedumbasseri village in Angamaly. Owing to the international airport, water ways, railways, and road ways, Ernakulam is one of the most connected districts in the state.
Ministers Adalath
Kottayam District came into existence on 1st July, 1949 at the time of the integration of the states of Travancore and Cochin. The district is divided into two Revenue Divisions, five Taluks and 95 villages. Revenue Division Pala comprising of Meenachil and Vaikom taluks and Kottayam Revenue Division consisting of Kottayam, Kanjirappally and Changanassery Taluks.
Kottayam District is situated a little south to the Central Kerala boarded on the north by Ernakulam District, East Idukki District, South by Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta Districts and on the eastern boundary Vembanad Lake. The district lies. north latitudes 9O 151 and 10 O 211 and the east longitudes 76O 221 and 77 O 251.
The district has an area of 2208 square kilometres. The district can be divided into three natural divisions – high land, midland and low land. The main rivers of the district are Meenachil river, the Muvattupuzha river and the Manimala rivers.The soil found in the district is mainly laterate.Clay soil also present in many part the district.Laterate soil is suitable for rubber plantations and clay soil suitsble for the seasonal crops like paddy,banana,ptantains ,tapioca etc.
Kottayam literally means the interior of a fort – Kotta + Akam. Kottayam is known as “Akshara Nagari” (city of Alphabets, the land of letters Lakes and Latex as the Mural city.
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.
