Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a major port city located along the Malabar Coast of India. It borders the Laccadive Sea and is situated within the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala. The city serves as a significant urban center and is commonly referred to by its central business district name, Ernakulam.
As of 2011, the Kochi Municipal Corporation had a population of 677,381 across an area of 94.88 km2. The broader Kochi urban agglomeration exceeds 2.1 million inhabitants within a 440 km2 area, making it the most populous and largest metropolitan area in Kerala. The city is classified as a Tier-II city by the Government of India and is part of the Greater Cochin development region.
The Kochi Municipal Corporation was established in 1967 to govern the city's civic affairs. Development within the region is overseen by two primary statutory bodies: the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA).