Kothamangalam is situated in the eastern part of the Ernakulam district. Kothamangalam is known as the Gateway of Highrange. According to the division of the geographical regions of Kerala, i.e. High-lands, Mid-lands and Low-lands, Kothamangalam is in a Mid-land region. The general topography is hilly. The Munnarhill station is around 85 kilometres from Kothamangalam. The riverPeriyar, the largest river in Kerala, flows through the taluk. The dams built across Periyar at Edamalayar, Lower Periyar and Bhoothathankettu for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation purposes are located in the Kothamangalam taluk. Present Kothamangalam region was historically known as Malakhachira. Kothamangalamar, a small river which flows through the town goes to join Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayar to form the Muvattupuzhayar which is the second largest river in Ernakulam district.
Demographics
Kothamangalam urban agglomeration has a total population of 114,574 according to the 2011 census, 56,753 being males and 57,821 females. There are 30,067 households in the Kothamangalam municipality. The literacy rate of Kothamangalam Agglomeration is 95.24%. In comparison, the National Urban average literacy in India is 85%. Literacy rate of males and females stood at 97.04% and 93.48% respectively. Total literates in Kothamangalam Urban Agglomeration were 98,398, of which 49,412 were males and remaining 48,986 were females. The town's population consists of Syrian Christians, Hindus and Muslims. The languageMalayalam is used widely as in the rest of Kerala.
Administration
Kothamangalam municipality was formed in 1978 and is the headquarters of the Kothamangalam Taluk. The municipality has an area of 37.45 km2 and is divided into 31 electoral wards. Elections to the local self bodies are held once every five years. From the elected Municipal Councilors, a chairman and vice-chairman are elected. The present chairperson of the municipality is Manju Siju and the vice-chairman is A.G George. Kothamangalam is part of the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency. Till 2009, it was part of Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha constituency. Kothamangalam is also represented in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as a constituency. The panchayats in Kothamangalam Taluk are Nellikuzhi, Kottapady, Pindimana, Varapetty, Pallarimangalam, Kavalangad, Keerampara, Kuttampuzha. The block panchayat is also Kothamangalam.
The air gateway to Kothamangalam is the Cochin International Airport located at Nedumbassery, which is about 32 km and handles both domestic and international flights. It is the first international airport in India to be built without Central Government funds and is the world's first fully solar energy powered airport.
