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 with the serene beaches, lush green countryside, historic sites, all combine to make Kozhikode a popular tourist destination filled with a warm ambience to fascinate a visitor.The district enjoys a tropical climate throughout the year.
Kozhikode has played an important role in the field of education, agriculture, spice trade, fishing, ship building, sea trade, media, heritage stuctures, cultural arts and festivals, tourism, personalities like V. K. Krishna Menon, P.T. Usha and much more to become a well known district of Kerala. Kozhikode district has a rich heritage in agriculture as it was a port city famous for pepper & spice trade. Agriculture plays a major role in the district economy. The local cuisine, the mouth watering Kozhikodan halwa is a must-taste dish for visitors and very popular in these parts where exclusive sweetmeat shops are found, along Mitai Theru.
In the coastal belt, fishing and shrimp farming are the main occupations of a large number of people.The allied industries such as ice plant freezing and processing units also provide employment to around 5,000 people in the district. As a whole, the fishing industry makes a sizeable contribution to the economy of the district as well as the State.
During temple festivals and important social functions, entertainments like Koothu, Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Kaikottikali are performed which are very much enjoyed by the people. There are also ritual dances such as Thira and Theyyam unique in these parts.One of the favourite pastimes of the Muslims of the district is the singing of the Mappilapattu and Oppana. These songs are sung in a distinctive tune and cover a wide range of themes. The songs are composed in a composite language of Arabic and Malayalam.
