Ernakulam district

Coordinates: 10°00′N 76°20′E / 10.00°N 76.33°E / 10.00; 76.33
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the district in Kerala. For other uses, see Ernakulam (disambiguation).

Ernakulam district
District
Clockwise from top:
Kothamangalam
  • KL-63 Angamaly
    • HDI (2005)Increase0.801[3]
    very high
    Websiteernakulam.nic.in
    Kothamangalam

    Ernakulam (IPA:

    ISO: Eṟaṇākuḷaṁ) is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala, and takes its name from the eponymous city division in Kochi. It is situated in the central part of the state, spans an area of about 2,924 square kilometres (1,129 sq mi), and is home to over 9% of Kerala's population. Its headquarters are located at Kakkanad. The district includes Kochi, also known as the commercial capital of Kerala, which is famous for its ancient churches, Hindu temples, synagogues and mosques
    .

    The district includes the largest metropolitan region of the state:

    14 districts).[5]
    The district also hosts the highest number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala state.

    The most commonly spoken language in Ernakulam is Malayalam. English is widely used, mostly in business circles. Ernakulam became India's first district to have 100 percent banking or full "meaningful financial inclusion" in 2012.[6][7]

    Ernakulam has a high Human Development Index of 0.801 (UNHDP report 2005), which is one of the highest in India.[8]

    Etymology

    History

    Rama Varma XV at the Delhi Durbar of 1903.
    Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi

    Ernakulam has played a part in the political history of

    Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British, and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to the Kingdom of Cochin and left their impressions on the town. The port at Kozhikode held superior economic and political position in medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur, Kollam, and Kochi, were commercially important secondary ports, where the traders from various parts of the world would gather.[9] In 1664, the municipality of Fort Kochi was established by Dutch Malabar, making it the first municipality in Indian subcontinent, which got dissolved when the Dutch authority got weaker in 18th century.[10] In 1896, the Maharaja of Cochin initiated local administration by forming a town council in Ernakulam. Initially, The district's headquarters were located in the portion of the city known as Ernakulam, which gave the district its name; the headquarters was relocated afterwards to Kakkanad
    .

    In the year 1998, Kuttampuzha village was added to the district from Idukki district following which the district got a political boundary with neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. There is no interstate road that connects the district with the neighbouring state through this border.

    Geography

    The Ernakulam district covers an area of 3,068 km2 (1,185 sq mi) on the Western Coastal Plains of India. It is surrounded by the

    Edamalakkudy. Many types of sand, soil, and rocks are abundant here. Cochin International Airport is located in the northern part of the district at Nedumbassery
    , Kochi.

    The district houses two Urban Agglomerations,

    Kothamangalam. Kochi is the largest city in the state, and 17th most populous in the country according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
    rankings based on the 2011 Census, with an area of over 843km2 and 2.12 million population.

    Topography

    The district is divided into three parts: lowland, midland, and the highland that consist of seaboard, plains, and hills and forests respectively. 20 percent of the total area are lowlands. The forests in the eastern part of the district are mostly remote, forming a part of the

    Parur
    taluks. During the rainy season these rivers are full and heavy floods affect the low-lying areas on the banks, but in the summer season, they generally go dry and narrow. The Periyar is stretched over a length of 229 km (142 mi).

    Forest and wildlife

    The Grey hornbill

    The flora of this district is tropical. The heavy rainfall combined with moderate temperatures and fertile soil support abundant vegetation. Many of the common plants are found in the coastal area, which forms the lowland region. The midland region is occupied by coconut palms, paddy, tapioca, pepper, pineapple and pulses. The lower slopes of the highland region have teak and rubber.

    Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

    Mangalavanam

    migratory birds. The Managalavanam is called the "green lung of Kochi",[12] considering its role in controlling the city's air pollution.[13]

    Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

    Anamalais
    is reached.

    Climate

    Climate data for Kochi
    Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
    Record high °C (°F) 35
    (95)     		37
    (99)     		37
    (99)     		34
    (93)     		35
    (95)     		33
    (91)     		35
    (95)     		35
    (95)     		38
    (100)     		35
    (95)     		34
    (93)     		33
    (91)     		38
    (100)
    Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30
    (86)     		31
    (88)     		31
    (88)     		31
    (88)     		31
    (88)     		28
    (82)     		28
    (82)     		28
    (82)     		28
    (82)     		29
    (84)     		30
    (86)     		30
    (86)     		30
    (86)
    Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
    (73)     		25
    (77)     		26
    (79)     		26
    (79)     		26
    (79)     		25
    (77)     		24
    (75)     		24
    (75)     		25
    (77)     		25
    (77)     		25
    (77)     		23
    (73)     		25
    (77)
    Record low °C (°F) 17
    (63)     		18
    (64)     		20
    (68)     		21
    (70)     		22
    (72)     		21
    (70)     		21
    (70)     		20
    (68)     		22
    (72)     		20
    (68)     		20
    (68)     		19
    (66)     		17
    (63)
    Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.9
    (0.86)     		22.9
    (0.90)     		35.3
    (1.39)     		124.0
    (4.88)     		395.7
    (15.58)     		720.7
    (28.37)     		697.2
    (27.45)     		367.8
    (14.48)     		289.4
    (11.39)     		302.3
    (11.90)     		175.1
    (6.89)     		48.3
    (1.90)     		3,228.3
    (127.10)
    Source 1: [14]
    Source 2: [15]

    Economy

    Kochi Marine Drive Day View
    The beauty in the night, Marine Drive, Kochi
    Infopark, Kochi

    Ernakulam district is the richest district in Kerala and is the biggest commercial centre in the state of Kerala. It contributes the most to the state exchequer in terms of GSVA and tax revenues. It has the highest literacy rate as well as the highest per capita income in the state, along with having the greatest number of commercialised banks, startups and large-scale industries & MSMEs in the state. Its M.G. Road is home to some of

    Muthoot
    .

    The sea along the entire coast of the district and its backwaters are the habitat of various kinds of fish that supply both marine and inland fisheries.

    Agriculture

    The eastern part of Ernakulam is primarily agrarian in nature.

    plantain
    .

    Education

    See also:
    Educational Institutions in Ernakulam District
    Administrative Block of Cochin University of Science and Technology

    Ernakulam is the first district in India to have 100 percent literacy by 1990. In fact Kochi has the highest literacy rate for any city in the country with over 20 lakhs population. Pothanikkad is the first village in India that achieved 100 percent literacy according to state literacy programme is in this district.[citation needed]

    There are three prominent universities in Ernakulam: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kalamassery, and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies in Kochi. The district has the most educational institutions in the state; as of 2019, there are 476 fully high-tech schools in Ernakulam.[16]

    In 2017, Ernakulam district administration launched the Roshni project, which aims to provide Malayalam education to migrant children. It supported 1,265 migrant workers’ children from lower primary to high school.[17]

    Divisions

    See also: Administration of Ernakulam district

    There are two revenue divisions: Fort Kochi and Muvattupuzha. The municipal corporation is in Kochi.

    Taluks

    The district has the most taluks in the state. The district is divided by two revenue divisions with seven taluks.

    Municipalities

    Interestingly, Ernakulam district has the most municipalities in the state.

    A criticism that has been centered around this fact is that despite municipalities like Aluva, Kalamassery, Thrikkakara, Maradu, Tripunithura and Eloor becoming assimilated into Kochi city, they still exist as individual municipalities instead of being under

    Kochi Corporation. Surprisingly the corporation has not amended its limits for over half a century, since 1967 to be precise. The corporation was the largest in area and population when it was formed, and all these regions were panchayaths back then. Instead of adding them to the corporation when these regions started developing due to the urban expansion of Kochi city, they were made into separate municipalities thus largely handicapping the corporation. Now the call to expand these outdated limits for a better unified administration for the entire city of Kochi is a strong public demand.[18]

    Parliamentary Constituencies

    • Ernakulam Parliamentary Constituency
    • Chalakudy Parliamentary Constituency
      (partially)
    • Idukki Parliamentary Constituency
      (parts of Muvattupuzha taluk and Kothamangalam taluk)
    • Kottayam Parliamentary Constituency
      (parts of Muvattupuzha taluk and Kanayannur taluk)

    Assembly Constituencies

    Demographics

    Historical population
    YearPop.±% p.a.
    1901646,235—    
    1911735,267+1.30%
    1921789,311+0.71%
    1931982,731+2.22%
    19411,172,292+1.78%
    19511,393,679+1.74%
    19611,702,740+2.02%
    19712,170,820+2.46%
    19812,549,255+1.62%
    19912,840,279+1.09%
    20013,105,798+0.90%
    20113,282,388+0.55%
    20183,427,659+0.62%
    source:[19]

    According to the

    2011 Census of India reports that the district is ranked 104th most populous in India out of 640.[5] The district has a population density of 1,072 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,780/sq mi).[5] Its population growth rate in 2001–2011 was 5.69%.[5] Ernakulam has a sex ratio of 1027 females for every 1000 males,[5] and a literacy rate of 95.89%. 68.07% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 8.18% and 0.50% of the population respectively.[5]

    Languages of Ernakulam district (2011)[20]

      Malayalam (96.70%)
      Konkani (0.97%)
      Tamil (0.94%)
      Others (1.39%)

    According to the

    2011 census, 96.70% of the population spoke Malayalam, 0.97% Konkani and 0.94% Tamil as their first language.[20]

    This district is listed as the "most advanced" district in Kerala. It had a resident population of 3,105,798 as of 2001, excluding the commuters from neighbouring districts.[21]

    According to the 2011 Census of India, Ernakulam District also houses the largest city (UA) in the state (17th largest in the country) -

    Kochi Urban Agglomeration. Kochi UA spans across 843km2 with a population of 2,119,724 (2.12 million),[22]
    thereby housing approximately two thirds of the population of Ernakulam District. Government of Kerala have also marked Kochi UA as the only "first order UA" in the state, which has its influence spread across the entire state unlike the other smaller cities.

    The district also houses another smaller urban agglomeration -

    Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha
    form a major chunk of the Kothamangalam UA.

    Religion

    Religions in Ernakulam district (2011)[23]
    Religion Percent
    Hinduism
     
    		 45.99%
    Christianity
     
    		 38.03%
    Islam
     
    		 15.67%
    Other or not stated
     
    		 0.31%
    Religions in Ernakulam
    Talukas Hindus Christians Muslims Others
    Kunnathunad 45.32 35.39 19.16 0.13
    Aluva 37.78 44.64 17.29 0.29
    Paravur 56.69 28.93 14.13 0.25
    Kochi 41.74 41.15 16.67 0.44
    Kanayannur 53.16 34.49 11.91 0.44
    Muvattupuzha 40.53 45.14 14.12 0.21
    Kothamangalam 36.16 41.82 21.77 0.25

    Sikhs reside in Kochi.[24] Ernakulam once had a vibrant Jewish population, with several synagogues, known as the Malabar Jews who used to dominate the trade and commercial activities in the district. After the state of Israel was formed in 1945, the entire community made aliyah to Israel in the 1950s. Today they number 8000 in Israel but very few Jews remain in the district. After a direct flight service was established between Kochi and Tel Aviv
    they have retained ties with the state with annual visits and gatherings.

    Ernakulam also has a significant

    Jain community in Ernakulam district, concentrated mainly in Kochi city.[26] The Sikh community in Ernakulam is also concentrated mainly in Kochi. There are more than 25 Sikh families in Kochi and there is one gurdwara.[27]

    Thrikkakara Temple-one of the few temples in India and only temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Vamana
    Chottanikkara Temple

    Culture

    Festivals and traditions

    See also: Pilgrimage centres in Ernakulam district

    The Aluva Sivarathri festival at the Aluva Mahadeva Temple (situated on the banks of river Periyar) in Aluva attracts people from around the country.

    St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom is believed to be founded in 405 A.D. and was the headquarters of Archdeacon and St Thomas until the 18th century.

    Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kalady, which is considered to be a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus
    around the world.

    Kallil Kshethram is a famous Jain temple near Perumbavoor.

    Saint Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Malayattoor
    is located.

    The eight-day lent (Ettunombu) festival at

    St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Edappally
    was founded in 593 A.D.

    Important pilgrimage sites in Ernakulam are Koonan Kurish St George Orthodox Pilgrim church,

    Paulose Mar Athanasius on 26 January at Thrikkunnathu St Mary's Seminary Church, Aluva
    , where he is entombed, also attracts thousands.

    Parumala Thirumeni, the first saint of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from India was born and brought up in Mulanthuruthy
    .

    Places of interest

    Transport

    Main article:
    Transportation in Ernakulam district

    Road connectivity

    The three major national highways passing through Ernakulam are the Cochin-Mumbai Highway (NH 66), Salem-Kanyakumari (NH 47 part of NSEW corridor), and Cochin-Dhanushkodi highway (NH 49).

    Railway station

    Ernakulam has 17 railway stations. The

    Mulamthuruthy, Cochin Harbour Terminus, Karakutty, Chowara, Kalamassery, Nettoor, Kumbalam, Mattancherry H., Chottanikkara road, Kanjiramattom and Piravom road. The rail routes travel via Thrissur, Kottayam, Cochin H.T., Alappuzha, and Vallarpadam. The Angamaly-Erumely Sabarimala route passes through the district. Kochi Metro
    runs in Kochi.

    Airport

    Ernakulam district has two airports: Naval airport in W.island (Old Cochin airport) and Cochin International Airport (CIAL). CIAL is the fourth largest airport in the country after Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, and serves International passengers.

    Water transport

    Ernakulam lies in the flat delta region of the Periyar and Moovattupuzha rivers. Water transport is prominent in the district via rivers and lagoons.

    Notable people

    Gallery

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b Annual Vital Statistics Report - 2018 (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala. 2020. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
    2. ^ "Demography -Ernakulam" (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
    3. ^ "Kerala | UNDP in India". UNDP.
    4. ISBN 9788193456781
      . Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    5. ^ a b c d e f "District Census Hand Book: Ernakulam" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
    6. ^ "Ernakulam to be declared first district with 100% banking". The Hindu Businessline. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
    7. ISBN 9788171415533
      .
    8. ^ "Kerala". UNDP in India. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
    9. ^ The Portuguese, Indian Ocean and European Bridgeheads 1500–1800. Festschrift in Honour of Prof. K. S. Mathew (2001). Edited by: Pius Malekandathil and T. Jamal Mohammed. Fundacoa Oriente. Institute for Research in Social Sciences and Humanities of MESHAR (Kerala)
    10. ^ M K Sunil Kumar (26 September 2017). "50 years on, Kochi still has a long way to go". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
    11. ^ "Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary". Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
    12. ^ "Green Lung of Kochi". cochin.org. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
    13. ^ "Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary". Kochi Servnet. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
    14. ^ "Kochi, India". Whetherbase. August 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
    15. ^ "Kochi, India". MSN India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
    16. ^ "Now, Ernakulam has 476 fully high-tech schools". The Hindu. 7 December 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.
    17. ^ Shreehari Paliath, IndiaSpend com. "In Kerala's Ernakulam district, a programme is helping migrant children stay in school". Scroll.in.
    18. ^ "Chamber calls for expansion of Kochi Corp - The New Indian Express".
    19. ^ "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in.
    20. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Kerala". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
    21. ^ "censusindia.gov.in" (PDF).
    22. ^ "आवासन और शहरी कार्य मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार". Mohua.gov.in. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
    23. ^ a b "Table C-01: Population by religious community: Kerala". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
    24. ^ Official Ernakulam District Profile Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
    25. ^ "Exploring Kochi through a Goan lens". The New Indian Express.
    26. ^ "Jain festival celebrated in city | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India.
    27. ^ "Sikh families: The Sikhs here love Kochi | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India.
    28. ^ "Kuzhupilly Beach". www.kuzhupillybeach.com.

    Further reading

    External links

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