Calicut also known as Kozhikode situated in the South Indian state on the west coast of Arabian Sea. The city of Calicut is located about 410 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The busy coastal city of Calicut holds an important place in the legend and history of Kerala. The place is historically famous as the Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama first landed in India, at Kappad near Calicut in 1498 AD. He was the first European to reach India via the sea route, around the southern cape of Africa. Later the Dutch, French and British came for trade to the shores of Calicut. Kozhikode (Calicut) was the capital of the powerful Zamorins. This ancient commercial town of Kerala still maintains its commercial traditions.
Climate:
Calicut features a tropical monsoon climate. The city has a highly humid tropical climate with high temperatures recorded from March to May. A brief spell of pre-monsoon showers hits the city sometime during April. However, the primary source of rain is the South-west monsoon that sets in the first week of June and continues till September. The city also receives significant precipitation from the North-East monsoon that sets in from the second half of October through November.
Administration:
The city is administered by the Kozhikode Corporation, headed by a Mayor, and with its headquarters in Calicut. Calicut has two assembly constituencies: Kozhikode North and Kozhikode South.
Transportation:
The city has a reasonably well-developed transport infrastructure. A large number of buses, predominantly run by individual owners, ply on the major routes within the city and to nearby locations. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation runs regular services to many destinations within the state and to the neighbouring states. The city has three bus stands. All private buses to the suburban and nearby towns ply from the Palayam Bus Stand. Private buses to adjoining districts start from the Mofussil Bus Stand on Mavoor Road. Buses operated by KSRTC ply from the KSRTC bus stand on the Mavoor Road. Private tour operators maintain regular luxury bus services to Mumbai, Bangalore, Ooty, Madurai etc.
Calicut is connected by rails to important cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Coimbatore and Chennai to the south and Mangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi to the north.
Calicut International Airport is located 22 km from the city at Karipur. Regular domestic services are operated to major Indian cities. There are frequent international flights to the Middle Eastern air hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Muscat.
Economy:
Calicut is one of the main commercial cities of Kerala. The economy is mainly business oriented. Calicut is expected to come under the radar of the IT industry with the development of Cyber Park by the Kerala Government.
Religion:
Calicut has been a multi-ethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period. Hindus form the largest religious group, followed by Muslims and Christians.
Food Culture:
Calicut offers fare to suit every palate. Vegetarian fare includes the Sadya. The non-vegetarian food offered in the city is a unique mix of Muslim and Hindu preparations. Some popular dishes include the Biriyani, Ghee rice with meat curry, seafood and paper-thin Pathiris to provide accompaniment to spicy gravy. Another well-known Calicut specialty is banana chips, which are made crisp and wafer-thin. The Kozhikoden Halwa is very popular, even overseas.
Education:
Calicut is home to two premier educational institutions of national importance- the Indian Institute of Management and the National Institute of Technology. Some of the other major institutes in Calicut are the University of Calicut, Calicut Medical College, College of Nursing, Government Engineering College, Malabar Christian College, Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Farook College, Government Arts and Science College, Providence women’s College, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Government Law College, Government College of Teacher Education, Kerala School of Mathematics, DOEACC Calicut etc.
Sports:
The most popular games are Football and Cricket,. Basketball, Badminton and Volleyball are also popular. The Corporation Stadium hosted many international football matches of major football teams in the past. Calicut is considered as an important name in the football history of the country.
