The city of Alappuzha or Alleppey is the administrative headquarter of the Alappuzha district in Kerala and is one of the oldest planned cities of the region. The citys population is about 1,70,000 and Malayalam is the most widely spoken language. Alappuzha is located to the west of the Lakshadweep River and there are no major mountains or hills besides some scattered hillocks in the region. The district is characterized by many low and mid land divisions. As per the 2011 census, the population of the district is 2.1 million with 38 percent belonging to the working age, out of which 12 percent are engaged in the agriculture sector and 4 percent in the household industry and the bulk 84 percent in other industrial and services sectors to include manufacturing, trade and commerce in traditional activities such as coir making, marine products and handloom. The coastal lighthouse here is the first of its kind along the Lakshadweep river and one the major tourist attractions. The city is famous across the world for its canals, backwater lagoons and beaches. Primary export items from this district are coir products and seafood. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 is held annually on Onam.
