Kollam (earlier Quilon), 72 km off Thiruvananthapuram, is a trade-nerve in Southern Kerala. Its trading-tradition dates back to early centuries when Chinese, Greeks, Arabs and Romans haunted the shore for ship-loading Kerala spices and produces. Today Kollam is the major cashew trading and processing centre in the country. Also a hub of marine industry.

Kollam, where past rubs shoulder with present, is a Kerala-in-miniature with its all features; sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest and vast green fields.