This virtual Venice of the East is strewn with various water streams. Lakes and rivers, lagoons and tributaries of the rivers, and much more, Alleppey has a vast network of waterways giving the impression of Venice. Surrounded by the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanmthitta and Kollam, on the west of Alleppey is the vast coastline of the Arabian Sea.
The proximity of the sea has always been the lifeline of this place as it was one of the most important places in the maritime history of India. The Dutch and the Portuguese had made this place their bastion long before the British came into the picture. But it was Maharaja Marthanda Verma who took recognized the value and potential of this place and took into development of the same as he came into power. As the trade increased the place soon started developing its coir industries thus making it one of the important trading points in the whole southern sector. Today, Alleppey is famous for its scenic backwaters and tourists from all around the world come here to seek solace with the nature. It is also famous for its coir industry and the Nehru Trophy Boat race that is held here annually during the festival of Onam.
