Kochi, also called Cochin, is a major city in the state of Kerala. Kochi is also known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', thanks to its status as a major port on the Southwestern coast of India since time immemorial. Kochi is the largest city in Kerala, home to more than 2.1 million people. The government of India has classified Kochi as a Tier 2 city. Kochi is actually Kerala's industrial, financial and commercial capital.
Kochi is very popular with tourists, who are enamored by the city's visual appeal and old colonial history (Portuguese). The city is also known for its nightlife and hospitality, which further attracts tourists, for many of whom, Kochi is a much visit tourist hot spot.
A number of Indian and international companies have their offices in Kochi, including HMT, Petronet LNG, International Pepper Exchange, Kochi Refineries, and many more. The number of information technology and electrical companies in Kochi has also increased in recent years, with the development of several technology parks such as KINFRA Export-Promotion Industrial Park, Infopark, and Cochin Special Economic Zone.
All this economic activity has also led to the development of a world-class transport infrastructure in Kochi, consisting of an international airport, metro rail, and excellent roads. The Cochin International Airport is located about 28 km from Kochi city and it is India's first airport powered fully by solar energy. The Kochi metro rail system was inaugurated in 2017.
