| Core fact | Kollam district at a glance |
|---|---|
| Geographical Location / Status | Southern Kerala district. Coastal district on the Arabian Sea, with Tamil Nadu on the east. Kollam is also known by its historic name Quilon. |
| District Headquarters | Kollam City. |
| Total Land Area in sq km | 2,491 sq km. |
| Population as per latest available Census data | 26,29,703 as per Census 2011 district profile. |
| Literacy Rate | 94.09% as per Census 2011 district profile. |
| Number of Rivers / Major Rivers | Exact official district-wide river count: Not clearly available from official public sources. Major rivers and water systems include Kallada River, Ithikkara River, Pallikkal River, Ashtamudi Lake, Sasthamkotta Lake, and Kollam Canal. |
| Revenue Divisions | Kollam and Punalur. |
| Taluks | Kollam, Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Punalur, Pathanapuram. |
| Municipalities | Karunagappally Municipality, Kottarakkara Municipality, Paravur Municipality, Punalur Municipality. Kollam also has Kollam Municipal Corporation. |
| Number of Grama Panchayats | 69 Grama Panchayats. |
| Assembly Constituencies | 11: Karunagappally, Chavara, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram, Punalur, Chadayamangalam, Kundara, Kollam, Eravipuram, Chathannur. |
| Lok Sabha Constituency / Constituencies | Kollam Lok Sabha constituency covers several Kollam district Assembly segments. Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency also includes some Kollam district Assembly segments, including Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, and Pathanapuram. |
| Official District Website | Official District Administration Website: Kollam District, Government of Kerala. |
What Makes Kollam Unique?
Kollam district is one of Kerala’s historic coastal districts.
It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. This gives Kollam Kerala a mixed landscape of coast, backwaters, plains, forests, and hills.
Kollam was historically known as Quilon. It had strong maritime links with the old spice trade. Kerala Tourism describes Kollam as a historic trade hub and a major centre of India’s cashew industry.
Ashtamudi Lake is central to Kollam’s identity. It shapes local transport, tourism, fishing, inland navigation, and settlement patterns. The district administration notes that Ashtamudi Lake and Kollam Canal give Kollam an important place in India’s waterway systems.
The district is also known for cashew processing. Kollam has been a centre of Kerala’s cashew industry from the Portuguese period. The official district profile states that Kollam continues to be a major processed cashew export centre.
Kollam has strong marine livelihood links. Neendakara and Thangasseri support fishing, harbour activity, and coastal trade.
The eastern side of Kollam includes forest and hill areas. Thenmala, Shenduruney, and Palaruvi are major eco-tourism and forest-linked locations.
The district’s cultural profile is Malayalam-speaking and Kerala-centred. Tamil is also understood in eastern border areas due to proximity to Tamil Nadu.
Major cultural anchors include temple festivals, coastal church traditions, mosque-centred community life, boat races, backwater festivals, and traditional performing arts of Kerala.
Geography and Administrative Profile
Kollam district is in southern Kerala. It lies north of Thiruvananthapuram district. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east. Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts lie to the north. Thiruvananthapuram district lies to the south.
The district headquarters is Kollam City. It is the administrative and urban centre of Kollam district administration.
Natural Geography
Kollam has four major landscape zones:
Coastal belt along the Arabian Sea.
Backwater and lake systems around Ashtamudi.
Midland areas with towns, villages, and agriculture.
Eastern forest and hill regions near the Western Ghats.
Important natural features include:
Ashtamudi Lake
Sasthamkotta Lake
Kallada River
Kollam Canal
Palaruvi Waterfalls
Thenmala forest and reservoir region
Shenduruney forest region
Kollam Beach and Thangasseri coastal zone
Ashtamudi Lake is one of the best-known water bodies in Kollam district. Kerala Tourism identifies it as a gateway to Kerala’s backwaters.
Revenue Administration
Kollam district has two revenue divisions:
Kollam Revenue Division
Punalur Revenue Division
These revenue divisions cover six taluks. The official district profile states that Kollam and Punalur revenue divisions have three taluks each.
Kollam Taluks
The six Kollam taluks are:
Kollam
Karunagappally
Kunnathur
Kottarakkara
Punalur
Pathanapuram
The official taluk page lists Kollam Revenue District as divided into six taluks.
Urban Local Bodies
Kollam district has one municipal corporation and four municipalities.
The urban local bodies are:
Kollam Municipal Corporation
Karunagappally Municipality
Kottarakkara Municipality
Paravur Municipality
Punalur Municipality
These form the main municipal service centres of Kollam local information and urban administration.
Panchayat Structure
Kollam district has:
1 District Panchayat
11 Block Panchayats
69 Grama Panchayats
1 Municipal Corporation
4 Municipalities
This structure is important for Kollam citizen services, local planning, welfare delivery, sanitation, roads, and local development.
Major Towns and Urban Centres
Important towns and local centres include:
Kollam
Karunagappally
Kottarakkara
Punalur
Paravur
Chavara
Kundara
Chathannur
Anchal
Pathanapuram
Sasthamkotta
Kadakkal
Chadayamangalam
These centres support trade, education, health care, transport, and local government services.
Major Places to Know in Kollam
Ashtamudi Lake
Location: Around Kollam City and adjoining backwater areas.
Why it is important: It is the main backwater identity of Kollam district.
Claim to fame: Kerala Tourism describes Ashtamudi Lake as a gateway to Kerala’s backwaters.
Ashtamudi Lake supports tourism, boating, fishing, and inland water movement. It is also central to the ecological identity of Kollam Kerala.
Jatayu Earth’s Center
Location: Chadayamangalam, Kollam district.
Why it is important: It is a major tourism and adventure destination.
Claim to fame: Kerala Tourism identifies Jatayu Earth’s Center at Chadayamangalam as a major destination linked to the Jatayu legend.
The site combines sculpture, mythology, landscape, and adventure tourism. It has become one of the most recognizable Kollam tourist places.
Thenmala
Location: Eastern Kollam district, near the Western Ghats.
Why it is important: It is a major eco-tourism destination.
Claim to fame: The district tourism page identifies Thenmala as India’s first planned eco-tourism destination.
Thenmala is known for forest landscapes, dam surroundings, and eco-tourism facilities. It connects Kollam district with the hill and forest geography of Kerala.
Palaruvi Waterfalls
Location: Near Aryankavu area, eastern Kollam district.
Why it is important: It is a major waterfall and natural attraction.
Claim to fame: The district tourism page states that Palaruvi Waterfalls falls from a height of 300 feet.
Palaruvi means “stream of milk” in Malayalam. It is part of the forested eastern landscape of Kollam.
Munroe Island
Location: Near the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River.
Why it is important: It is a major backwater village and canal-cruise location.
Claim to fame: Kerala Tourism describes Munroe Island as a cluster of islands known for canal cruises, coir-making, and cultural heritage. (Kerala Tourism)
Munroe Island reflects the everyday backwater lifestyle of Kollam district. It is also connected with Kallada River and Ashtamudi Lake.
Citizen Services and Local Infrastructure in Kollam
Administrative Centers
Key administrative and public-service centres include:
District Collectorate, Kollam
Kollam Revenue Division Office
Punalur Revenue Division Office
Taluk Offices at Kollam, Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Punalur, and Pathanapuram
Kollam Municipal Corporation
Karunagappally, Kottarakkara, Paravur, and Punalur Municipal Offices
Kollam District Panchayat
Block Panchayat Offices
Grama Panchayat Offices
Kollam district administration is organized under revenue administration and local self-government. The official organisation chart confirms two revenue subdivisions, six taluks, one corporation, four municipalities, 11 block panchayats, and 69 grama panchayats.
Police and Law-and-Order Infrastructure
Kollam has both city and rural police administration.
Important police offices include:
Commissioner of Police, Kollam City
Superintendent of Police, Kollam Rural
Police Control Room
Police stations across Kollam, Karunagappally, Punalur, Kottarakkara, Paravur, Chathannur, Kundara, Chavara, Sasthamkotta, Anchal, Kadakkal, and other local areas
The official district police page lists the Commissioner of Police, Kollam City and Superintendent of Police, Kollam Rural as key district police offices.
Courts and Judicial Services
Kollam has an important district-level judicial network.
Major courts include:
District & Sessions Court, Kollam
Additional District & Sessions Courts, Kollam
Family Court, Kollam
Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Kollam
Principal Sub Court, Kollam
Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Kollam
Munsiff and Magistrate Courts in Kollam, Karunagappally, Kottarakkara, Punalur, Sasthamkotta, and Paravur
The district administration’s courts page lists District & Sessions Court, Kollam and other major lower courts in the district.
Health Infrastructure
Major health institutions and hospitals in Kollam include:
Kollam District Hospital, Chinnakada
Government Taluk Hospital, Karunagappally
Government Taluk Hospital, Punalur
Government Taluk Hospital, Kottarakkara
Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres across panchayats
Major public and private hospitals in Kollam city and nearby towns
The district public utilities page lists Kollam District Hospital at Hospital Road, Chinnakada, near KSRTC Bus Station.
Kollam does not have a widely listed full-scale government medical college in the district administration’s core public-utility hospital list. Government Medical College availability: Not clearly available from official public sources for this district page.
Education Infrastructure
Kollam has a strong educational network.
Important institutions include:
Fatima Mata National College, Kollam
Sree Narayana College, Kollam
TKM College of Engineering, Kollam
College of Engineering, Perumon
Government College of Engineering, Karunagappally
Government, aided, and private arts and science colleges
Nursing, polytechnic, teacher education, and professional institutions
The district administration’s colleges and universities public-utility page lists institutions such as College of Engineering, Perumon, Fatima Mata National College, and Government College of Engineering, Karunagappally.
Transport Infrastructure
Kollam is an important transport node in southern Kerala.
Major transport facilities include:
Kollam Junction Railway Station
Eravipuram Railway Station
Punalur Railway Station
Karunagappally Railway Station
Paravur Railway Station
Kollam KSRTC Bus Station
Major private bus stands in Kollam and taluk towns
National Highway and state highway corridors
Inland water transport through backwater routes
Fishing harbour and port-linked activity at Neendakara and Thangasseri
The official district profile states that Kollam is connected by regular trains. It also identifies Kollam Junction and Eravipuram as city railway stations.
There is no regular airport inside Kollam district. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The official district page lists Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as the nearest airport to Kollam.
Ports, Harbours, and Water Transport
Kollam has strong coastal and inland water links.
Important water-linked locations include:
Neendakara Fishing Harbour
Thangasseri coastal and harbour area
Kollam backwater boat routes
Ashtamudi Lake water transport
Kollam Canal
Kollam–Alappuzha backwater route
The district profile notes that Neendakara and Thangasseri support marine livelihoods and employment.
Economy and Local Livelihoods
Kollam district has a mixed economy.
Its economy is shaped by coast, backwaters, hills, trade, agriculture, and services.
Cashew Industry
Cashew processing is one of Kollam’s strongest economic identities.
Kollam has long been associated with cashew factories, processing, and export. The official district profile states that Kollam has been a centre of Kerala’s cashew industry from the Portuguese period.
This industry has historically provided employment to many workers, especially women.
Fisheries and Marine Economy
The coastal belt supports fishing and allied activities.
Neendakara and Thangasseri are important fishing harbour and port-linked centres. Marine trade, fish landing, ice plants, transport, and processing support local livelihoods.
Agriculture and Plantation Crops
Agriculture is present in inland and eastern parts of Kollam district.
Important crops include coconut, rubber, banana, tapioca, paddy, vegetables, and small-scale homestead crops. Rubber is especially visible in eastern and midland areas.
Coir and Backwater Livelihoods
Backwater villages support coir-related work, fishing, small trade, and boat-based services.
Munroe Island and nearby water-linked areas show the relationship between backwaters and local livelihoods.
Tourism Economy
Kollam tourist places support guides, transport workers, boat operators, homestays, hotels, small shops, and local service providers.
Tourism is linked to:
Ashtamudi Lake
Munroe Island
Jatayu Earth’s Center
Thenmala
Palaruvi
Kollam Beach
Thangasseri
Sasthamkotta Lake
Small Industries and Services
Kollam has small industries, workshops, retail markets, educational services, hospitals, transport services, and government employment.
Kollam City, Karunagappally, Kottarakkara, Punalur, and Paravur are important service centres.
Remittance and Migrant Employment
Like many Kerala districts, Kollam has households supported by domestic and overseas employment.
Exact district-level remittance figures for this page are not clearly available from official public sources.
Culture, Language, and Society
Malayalam is the main language of Kollam district.
English is used in education, administration, courts, and professional services. Tamil is also familiar in eastern border areas and trade-linked communities.
Kollam society reflects coastal, backwater, agrarian, urban, and hill-region lifestyles.
Cultural Traditions
Kollam’s culture includes:
Temple festivals
Church feasts
Mosque-centred community gatherings
Boat races and backwater events
Traditional music and percussion
Folk and ritual arts
Kerala performing arts
Festivals and Heritage
Important cultural and religious anchors include:
Kollam Pooram
Oachira temple traditions
Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple traditions
Church festivals in coastal and urban areas
Mosque festivals and community events
Onam celebrations
Boat race traditions in backwater areas
Kerala Tourism identifies Oachira Temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Kollam Pooram, and backwater-linked cultural events as part of Kollam’s wider tourism and heritage profile. (Kerala Tourism)
Food Identity
Kollam food reflects coastal Kerala.
Common local food patterns include rice, fish curry, seafood dishes, coconut-based curries, tapioca, banana-based snacks, and traditional Kerala meals.
Backwater and coastal communities have a strong fish-based food culture.
Local Lifestyle
Kollam’s lifestyle varies by region.
The coastal belt is closely linked to fishing and marine trade. The city has government offices, hospitals, colleges, markets, and transport hubs. The eastern region has forest, rubber, hill, and plantation-linked livelihoods.
Kollam Local Information for Quick Reference
Kollam at a glance is best understood through four identities:
| Local identity | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Coastal district | Arabian Sea coast, fishing harbours, beaches, and marine livelihoods. |
| Backwater district | Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam Canal, Munroe Island, and inland water transport. |
| Cashew district | Major cashew processing and export identity. |
| Eco-tourism district | Thenmala, Palaruvi, Shenduruney, and eastern forest landscapes. |
Suggested Official Sources to Verify
Official District Administration Website
Kerala Government Portal
Kerala Tourism
Census of India
Local Self Government Department, Kerala
Kerala Legislative Assembly
Election Commission of India
Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala
District Tourism Promotion Council, Kollam
Frequently Asked Questions About Kollam
What are the taluks in Kollam district?
The taluks in Kollam district are Kollam, Karunagappally, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Punalur, and Pathanapuram. These six Kollam taluks form the main revenue administration units of the district.
What is Kollam district famous for?
Kollam district is famous for Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala backwaters, cashew processing, historic Quilon port heritage, fishing harbours, coastal culture, Thenmala eco-tourism, Palaruvi Waterfalls, Jatayu Earth’s Center, and its role as a southern Kerala trade and transport centre.
Which are the major tourist places in Kollam?
The major tourist places in Kollam include Ashtamudi Lake, Jatayu Earth’s Center at Chadayamangalam, Thenmala, Palaruvi Waterfalls, Munroe Island, Kollam Beach, Thangasseri Lighthouse, Sasthamkotta Lake, and Shenduruney forest region.