Kollam

Kollam like other districts in the state is moderately industralised. Some of the major employers in the public sector are Indian Rare Earth (IRE), Kerala Metals and Minerals Limited at Chavara; Union Electrical Industries (popularly known as the Meter Company) and Parvathi Spinning Mills at Kollam. Kundara was known as an Industrial area with Alumnium, Ceramics, Starch factories, but all are closed or on the verge of closing. Cashew processing and coir production are the two most important sources of employment. Major share of employment in the private sector is provided by Cashew processing and exporting units. Cashew processing and sorting employs a large share of women workers who manually peel and sort the cashew into different categories according to their size.

Sites
Most of the sights in Kollam are situated within a radius of 8-10 km from the city centre. Places close to city centre include the calm and scenic Thirummulavaram and Tangasseri beaches. Another picturesque beach worth visit is the semilunar Kochupilamood Beach (Kollam beach). The light house at Tangaseeri Kollam stands 144 ft (44 m) tall. The Tangasseri Light House was built in 1902. Thirumullavaram, approximately 6 km away from the city centre is popular for its calm and serene beach. Boating facilities on Ashtamudi Lake are available at the Local boat jetty beside the main Bus depot popularly known as Civil station. House boats can be hired from the boat jetty or arranged through the tourist guides or by the local hotels. The Kayal (Lake) Pradakshina Cruise operated by local boat owner is available till the Munroe Island formed by the backwaters of Ashtamudi and Kallada River. The backwater trip from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest cruise in the state and takes around 8 hours. Tourist spots such as Thenmala, Residency Palace Ashramom, Adventure Park, Jetayu para and palaruvi water falls are popular attractions. A place in Kollam district that every tourist has to visit is the maruthimala. Maruthimala is situated in Kottarakara Taluk of Kollam district.

Places to visit
Kollam is widely known as the Cashew Paradise in Kerala, and affords a wide cultivation and processing techniques. The square-shaped clock tower is visible from all parts of the Chinnakada market(city center). Tourists can visit the Thevally Palace, currently used by the Indian Army and the Dutch fort at Thangassery. Though most of it has been repainted, still the ambrosial palace displays a magnificent view from the lake.

The Ashtamudi lake with its scenic beauty, houseboats and ayurvedic centers also has plenty to offer. There are many breathtaking viewpoints to savor, including Padappakkara, Munroe Islands, Vellimon, Paravoor, Ashtamudi, Thevally etc. Kollam is also close to the ‘Tenmala’ tea estates and spice county.

Approximately 7 km from Kollam on NH 47 towards Alappuzha is Neendakara. Once a fishing harbour under the Indo-Norwegian project, today it is more famous as a viewing point for ‘Chaakara’, a post monsoon phenomenon that occurs just off the coast. Ezhukone is a small village located 19 km north of Kollam District. Ezhukone has a concentration of more than 15 cashew nut processing factories, which is a major source of foreign income. Ezhukone is well connected with road and rail transport facilities.NH 208, connecting Kollam District and Thirumangalam district of Tamilnadu passes through Ezhukone. Ezhukone has a Metre gauge railway station. Passenger and Express trains from Kollam to various Tamilnadu districts have stop at Ezhukone. Also the villages of Kollam district are very much blessed with natural beauties.

Another place attracting tourist interest is Sathamkotta. The place is famous for the largest freshwater lake in the state. No engined boat is allowed to sail in the lake, manually propelled boats are permitted. Sasthamkotta is connected to Kollam city by both railway and road. It takes 30 minutes from Kollam to Sasthamkotta by train and around 1 1/2 hrs by road. One railway station and KSRTC operating station are ther st Sasthamkotta. This is the capital of Kunnathoor taluk.