Six taluks, two revenue divisions and a cashew trade: the district once called Quilon

Background

Kollam, which was formerly called Quilon, is a district on the south west coast of Kerala with its headquarters at Kollam city. It covers 2,491 sq km and the Arabian Sea lies to its west, Tamil Nadu to its east, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta to its north and Thiruvananthapuram to its south. The district is administered as two revenue divisions, Kollam and Punalur, with three taluks each, making six taluks in all. Ashtamudi Lake, a large water body with many branches and islands, is its best known backwater and a popular boating destination. The eastern side holds forest and eco-tourism country at Shenduruni, Thenmala and Palaruvi. Kollam's cashew industry goes back to the Portuguese period and the district is a leading exporter of processed cashew in India. Neendakara and Thangasseri carry its fishing harbours and marine industry. Thangasseri Lighthouse, St Thomas Fort and Thevally Palace survive from the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods. The district records annual rainfall of 270 cm.