Ernakulam district prides itself of unparalleled natural beauty steeped in rich cultural and historic values. Also known as Kochi, the district is fringed by vast Arabian Sea coastline on one hand and commercially flourishing cities such as Kottayam, Alappuzzha and Thrissur on the other. Aquamarine waters stretching to eternity and coconut palms forming the skyline, Ernakulam has been generously blessed by nature with idyllic locations. The natural harbour in Kochi has witnessed trading ships anchoring in since Roman period. Reshaped in 1958, the harbour has the unique distinction of being the largest natural port serving as trading centre on the Western coast. Ernakulam or ‘The Queen of Arabian Sea’ has been named after Ernakulathappan Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The district had been formed by merging the princely states of Cochin and Travancore with British Malabar. The district is heavily influenced by Western cultures and carries vestiges of its interactions with British, Chinese, Dutch, Portugese and Arabians in the shapes of churches and regal palaces. It became the first district in India to boast of 100% literacy.