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Kollam or Quilon, 72 km from Trivandrum, is the centre of the country's
cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for
the state's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being
the centre for trawlers and ice plants. For all it's natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity. Kollam which is a veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted as it is with Kerala's very representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash crop.
Situated on the edge of the Ashtamudi Lake, Quilon has a rich history with the town being known as Desinganadu, Kollam and Quilon at various points of time. There was a flourishing Chinese settlement in the city in the 14th century with the rulers of Quilon and China maintaining diplomatic relations and exchanging embassies with each other during that period. The great Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited the city in 1275 in his capacity as a Chinese Mandarin. From the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese, Dutch and British came in quick succession to establish trading centres at Quilon. The British stationed a garrison at Quilon in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and British in the 18th century.
The eight hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest and the most enchanting expirence of backwaters in Kerala.
The charming old port city of Kollam (Quilon), located on the banks of
the picturesque Ashtamudi lake is now known as the centre of cashew
industry. Traces of a once prosperous trade with China are still seen in
the form of Chinese fishing nets, huge Chinese water pots, blue and
white porcelain and sampan-like boats. 
