Kollam is an ancient seaport located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea in India. Situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, it serves as the fourth largest city in the state of Kerala, positioned approximately 71 kilometres northwest of Thiruvananthapuram.
The city is recognized as one of India's oldest continuously inhabited locations, with archaeological evidence of habitation dating back to the megalithic period. Historically, Kollam functioned as a maritime entrepôt for millennia, with early records of trade involving the Phoenicians and Romans. Today, it serves as a gateway to the Kerala Backwaters and is primarily known for its tourism industry, coir manufacturing, and cashew processing.