Kochi
Kochi comprises 10 islands in the midst of the Arabian Sea and the-backwaters.
General Information, Kochi
General Information, Kochi
A city tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters is one of the important towns in South India, with a natural harbour. It is the commercial hub of Kerala. Kochi is a dynamic city with soaring land prices and rapidly industrializing suburbs. A trading port since Roman times, it lies on the main trade route between Europe and China. The town has three main parts- Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. This city is home to the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth as well as numerous old churches and temples. Half the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around on local ferries.
Area
95 sq. km.
Population
1.2 million.
Location
9° 58"N, 76° 17"E
Time Zone
Indian Standard Time (IST) - UTC +5:30
Altitude
Sea level
Rainfall
350cm annually
Temperature
20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F)
Seasons
Monsoon season: June - September (heavy rains)
Mild winter: October - February (cool, dry with occassional rain)
Summer: March - May (hot and humid)
Mild winter: October - February (cool, dry with occassional rain)
Summer: March - May (hot and humid)
Languages
State language: Malayalam
English is widely understood. Hindi and Tamil are used occasionally.
English is widely understood. Hindi and Tamil are used occasionally.
Religions
Being a city in a secular country, almost all major religions are represented including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Jewism, Jainism and Buddhism.
Main Occupation
Trading, fishing, heavy industry and information technology
Airport code
IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCC
Telephone
+91 484
Emergency numbers
Police: 100, Fire: 101, Ambulance: 102.
Power supply
230V, 50Hz
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR), 1 Rupee = 100 paise.
Population
The city of Cochin has a population near 600,000 but the agglomeration of towns - called Kochi - that is greater Cochin, is home to 1.2 million.
Port
Cochin is home to a fine natural harbor that sees heavy commercial and military use.
Climate
Tropical and dry during the summer. Expect highs in the 80 to 90-degree range.
LANGUAGE
Malayalam is the official language of the area (India has a total of 15!), but English and Hindi are common in Cochin as well.
CURRENCY
Indian rupee. You should be aware that Indian currency circulates until it's falling apart, and sometimes if you offer an old, tattered bill it will be refused. Just save it for tips and substitute a cleaner one. You're within your rights to refuse such notes in your change, so just hand them back. Banks will gladly change old notes. You are not allowed to bring Indian currency into the country, or take it with you when you leave.