Cochin

State: Kerala

Main languages: Malayalam and Telegu

 

History:

 

Cochin is also known as Kochi. The city is one of the principal seaports of India. The city is located in the district of Ernakulam which is about 220 km away from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It is said that name of Cochin is derived from the Malayalam word 'koch azhi' which also means 'small lagoon'. But this is disputed by scholars who claim that the city gets its name from the Sanskrit word Go shree which means 'prosperous with cows'. Kochi had been a vital part of the princely state of the Kulasekhara Empire. It had an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast since the 14th century. Ancient travelers have referred to Kochi in their writings in different names like Cocym, Cochym and Cochi. Cochin had been occupied by the Portuguese in 1503. It was the first European colonial settlement in India. Cochin remained the capital of Portuguese in India until 1530. It was later occupied by the Dutch colonialists and gained independence in 1947 when it joined India.

 

Geography and demographics:

 

The city of Cochin has a beautiful view of harbor mouth from the Willingdon Island. The city is located on the southwest coast of India at 9°58′N, 76°13′E. On the west side of Cochin is the Arabian Sea and on the right sides estuaries drained by perennial rivers. These rivers originate in the Western Ghats. Most of the city is located at sea level. The soil here consists of sediments such as teri's, alluvium, brown sands etc. Hydromorphic saline soils are found in the areas around the backwaters. The area is ecologically sensitive. There are various migratory birds frequenting the nearby bird sanctuary. The city has a population of about 600,000 with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million.

 

Climate:

 

The proximity of the city to the equator along with its coastal location leads to little change in temperature. The average temperatures here range between 20 to 35 °C. October to December is the months for the northwest monsoon to shower the city.

 

Economy:

 

The city had experienced various decades of economic stagnation after the independence until the past few years. But the past decade has witnessed an economic boom for the city with growing centers of information technology, tourism and international trade. The city has also become the commercial hub of Kerala and is also one of the fastest growing second-tier metros. Apart from sea trade and export seafood and spices exports, gold and textile retailing, information technology, tourism, health services, banking, shipbuilding, and the fishing industry prosper here. 

 

Culture and tourism:

 

Due to ancient migration history the city has a cosmopolitan culture. There are Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists living here peacefully. There are various places to see here like Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi, Fort Kochi beach, St. Francis Church, Vasco House, Santa Cruz Basilica,Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry and Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. Multi cuisines are the specialty of the region. 

 

Transportation:

 

The city is well connected through roads, railways and even sea ports. The city also has an international airport.