Calicut is the anglicized form of Kalikut, the Arabic for the Malayalam Kozhikode. It is also called the Cock Fort. According to the historian, K.V. Krishnan Iyer, the term means Koyil (Palce) Kodu (fortified). Any how, it is a historical town with a hoary past. From time immemorial, the city attracted travelers, with its charming physical features and prosperity. Even today, the glory that was Calicut has not faded.

The political history of Kozhikode is a story of treacherous and ill-conceived conspiracies hatched by the Western poswers. Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad
(16 kilometres north of Kozhikode) in May 1498, as the leader of a trade mission from Portugal and was received by the Zamorin himself.

This marked the beginning of foreign dominations in the East. From the 13^th century, Kozhikode attained a position of pre-eminence in the trade of pepper and other spices which made it India’s emporium of international trade. As Kozhikode offered full freedom and security, the Arab and the Chinese merchants preferred it to all other ports. The globe totter Ibu Btuta (A.D. 1342-47) notes: “We came next to Calicut, one of the great ports of the district of Malabar, and in which merchants of all parts are found”.

Athanaseus Nikiten, the Russian traveller, (1468-74) accounts thus, “Calicut is a port for the whole Indian sea, which God forbid any craft to cross, and whoever saw it, will not get over it healthy, everything is cheap and servant and maids are very good”.

Associated with the Zamorins is Kottaparamba where stood their ancient palace. Mananchira was the bathing tank of the members of the Zamorin’s household.

                                                  Topography
Topographically the district has three distinct regions-the sandy coastal belt, the rocky highlands formed by the hilly portion of the Western Ghats and lateritic midland. Of the total area of 23444 sq.kms, the sandy coastal belt is 362.85 sq.kms., lateritic midlands 1343.50 sq.kms. and rocky highlands 637.65 sq.kms.

All the three taluks are spread over the three regions. The district has a coastal length about 80 kms. Kozhikode district is stimulated on the south-west coast of India. The district is bounded on the north by Kannur district, on the east by Wayanad district, on the south by Malappuram district and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It is situated between North latitudes 11⁰08’ and 11⁰50’ and East longitudes 75⁰30’ and 76⁰08’.

Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and the proud peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district has all the elements that fascinate a visitor. The highland region accounts for 26.80 per cent and the lowland region for 15.55 per cent of the total area of the district.

                                                     Climate
The district has a humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The most important rainy season is during the South – West Monsoon which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September.. The average annual rainfall is 3266 m.m.

During December to March, practically no rain is received and from October onwards, the temperature gradually increase to reach the maximum in May, which is the hottest month of the year. The maximum temperature in the month of May comes to 36⁰C. The highest maximum temperature recorded at Kozhikode was 39.4⁰C during the month of March 1975 and the lowest temperature was 14⁰C recorded on 26^th December 1975. Humidity is very high in the coastal region.

Religion and Customs

Hindus constitute the majority of the population and next come the Muslim and the Christina communities respectively.

                                           Places of Interest

Art Gallery and Krishna Menon Museum

Situated adjacent to the Pazhassi Raja Museum, the art gallery houses paintings of Raja Ravi Varma among other collections. The museum has a section dedicated to V.K. Krishna Menon. The personal belonging of the late leader are exhibited here.
 

Vadakara

This ancient place is now the headquarters of the taluk as well as the municipality of that name. There is a ruined fort in the town. Vadakara was the scene of many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of the ballads of north Malabar (Vadakkan Pattukal). Five kms. South-East of Vadakara in Memunda amsom, is the Lokanarkavu which has three rock-cut caves in its vicinity. Annual ceremonies are conducted in memory of Othenan, whose birth place is Manikkoth near Meppayil.Vadakara (Vadakkekara) is so called because of its location just north (Vadakku) of Kotta river. The Orkattery cattle fair is held between 25^th January and 2^nd February at Orkattery 6.45 kms. from Vadakara.

Beypore

Beypore town is about 9.65 kms. from Kozhikode, at the mouth of the Beypore river. The place was formerly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. Tippu Sultan named the town “Sultan Pattanam”. It is one of the important ports of Kerala and naturally, an important trading centre.

Beypore is famous for its boat building yard where mammoth country crafts known as Urus are being built. It is major fishing harbour of Kerala. There are two man made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats. This is an ideal place for an outing.

Chaliyam

An island in Kadalundi amsom formed by the Beypore and kadalundi rivers, Chaliyam was formerly the terminus of the Madras Railway. The bridge at Feroke which extended the railway upto Kozhikode in 1888, reduced the importance of Chaliyam.

Cheruvannur

Cheruvannur and Feroke are predominant industrial areas. A number of tile factories, match factories etc. are located here, providing employment to thousands of workers. The Steel Complex is also located here.

Kozhikode Beach

The beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is not yet exploited to develop it into a tourist centre. Still people from all around gather here to enjoy the sunset and it is a popular retreat for local people. Two sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are a speciality. Lion’s club, children’s park make evening pleasant for visiting families. Fishermen with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with varieties of fish is worth watching.

Feroke

Feroke is the cradle of the tile industry in Kerala. The rapid rivers from the Western Ghats after passing through forests carry the clay which is the raw-material for tiles, pottery and ceramic wares. There are more than a dozen tile factories in Feroke alone.

Ghat Section

This is a thick dense forest and is called the “Chirapunchi” of Kerala because of the high availability of heavy rains. It is about 44 kms. from Kozhikode and is the boundary to Wayanad ditrict. A journey through this Ghat section is an enjoyable experience. It is 14 kms. long with nine hairpin curves amidst a number of hills and thick forests. A view from the top will be a breath taking experience.

Kappad

On 27^th May 1498, Vasco Da Gama landed here with three vessels and 170 men. If you travel 16 kms. north of Kozhikode by Kannur road, a small road near Tiruvangoor Health Centre will guide you to this beach of historical importance. A monument is here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.

Kallai

Kallai was known as the world’s best timber trading centre. Even now, it is the place for timber trade in Malabar.

kadalundi

Thousands of migratory birds from all over the world gather here during the season which starts from November.

Kuttiadi

Twenty nine kms. from Vadakara, Kuttiadi acknowledged the supremacy of the Kottayam Raja, whose fortified palace stands on a hill. During the Pazhassi rebellion, Kuttiadi, which commanded one of the chief passes to Wayanad was of great strategic importance. In 1957, the shafts of two golden swords supposed to have been used by Pazhassi Raja were unearthed. Overlooking Kuttiadi and other regions is the 1758 m. height Banasura peak, named after the giant demon Banasura, who is supposed to have built a fort on the summit. Now the name of Kuttiadi connected with the Hydro-Electric project in Kuttiadi river basin.

Mananchira Square

A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maithan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above all, a musical fountain. No doubt, locals and tourists seekings leisure and relief from the mad rush outside, find shelter here. Mananchira Maithan is managed by the Corporation of Kozhikode.

Nadapuram

Nadapuram is second only to Ponnani from the point of view of Islamic culture. It is located 18 kms. North-East of Vadakara,
 

Pazhassi Raja Museum

Pazhassi Raja Museum is located at East Hill, 5 kms. from Kozhikode. Copies of ancient mural paintings, antiques, bronzes, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc. are displayed here.

Panthalayini-Kollam

Ibu-Btuta described Kollam as a beautiful and large place, abounding with gardens and markets. Portugese attacks were strongly rebuffed by the garrison on mayyat Kannu. In 1550, Panthalayani was burnt by the Portugese.

The Dasara Festival is celebrated with great pomp in the month of Kanni. The Zamorin had a palace here.

Science Centre and Planetarium

Regional Science Centre and Planetarium are at the city’s Jaffarkhan Colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the universe, the planets and the galaxies. There are daily shows at 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00 hrs.

S.M. Street

Sweat Meat street, popularly known as S.M. Street with its cross roads, is the busiest shopping spot of Kozhikode. Old bakery shops here are known for the famous Kozhikode halwa and banana chips.

Thusharagiri

Thusharagiri is 48 kms. from Kozhikode and is one of the recently identified tourist centres. The waterfalls and streams amidst the hilly regions are really a feast to eyes.