An ancient sea port dating back to the 9th Century ad, Kollam lends it's name to the malayalam era Kollavarsham in 825 AD. That was the year the town was founded by Persian immigrants, having received a charter of privileges by the Raja of Venad. The district Area is about 2491 sqkm. Two rivers, Kallada and Ithikkara, flow through this district. The Sasthamcotta lake, the only major fresh water lake in the State, is here. Two other major lakes are the Ashtamudi kayal and the Paravoor kayal, Edava and Nadayara kayals lie partly in this district. In addition to the traditional past times like Kathakali, Koothu, Ottamthullal, Pattakam, Harikatha, Kaikottikkali, Thiruvathirakkali, Kolattam etc.., there are certain amusements and festivites which are unique to Kollam district. They are held in connection with festivals in temples. The mock sword-fight -Oachirakkali, is one of the most important of such festivals. Oachira has been famous for long as one of the sacred places of Kerala. In Kottamkulangara Temple in Chavara, there is a peculiar custom of men dressing up as women and carry lighted lamps (Thalappoli) The Uriati is a typical festival associated with krishna Temple. The Kettukazhcha (exhibition of effigies) festival held at Mahadevar Temple, Thrikkadavur in February March every year is one of the colourful festivals of the district.

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District	Kollam
Area (in Sq.km)	2,491
Population	2,584,118
Males	1,248,616
Females	1,335,502
Sex ratio : Females/1000	1,070
Density of Population	1037
Per Capita Income (in Rs)	18,426
Literacy rate	91.49%; Male 94.63%; Female 88.60%
Coastal line in km.	37
Water bodied area in ha.	14,438
Forest area in ha.	81,438
Assembly Constituencies	1. Karunagappally 2. Kunnathoor  3. Chavara 4. Neduvathoor 5. Kottarakkara 6. Punalur 7. Pathanapuram 8. Chadayamangalam 9. Kundra 10. Chathannur 11. Eravipuram 12. Kollam