Towns and Cities
Kerala is a State of 32 million people, with many small towns, with a population density of about 800 persons/square km. The Main towns are Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the capital, Kollam (Quillon), Alleppey (Alappuzha), Cochin (Kochi and Ernakulam) and Kozhikode(Calicut).
Trivandrum is the capital in the South of the State. It is a pleasant town, with an impressive temple, palace, fort, and museums. It has an international airport, and good links to nearby beaches at kovalam and Varkala.
Cochin is the thriving tourist business town of Kerala. Fort Kochi is the historical Portuguese and Dutch fortress town, located on an island opposite to the commercial and shopping town of Ernakulam. It has many heritage buildings and sites, including St Francis Church where Vasco de Gamma was originally buried, the old Dutch Cemetery, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Mattancherry Palace, and the Old Synagogue. It contrasts with most of Kerala in actively preserving its old heritage building.
Alleppey is the heart of the backwater business, where the annual Nero Boat race is held in August, and most of the houseboats are located. It is a convenient centre for touring Kerala, as Cochin is less than 2 hr drive, while Thekkady, Trivandrum and Thrissur are about 4 hours away.
