Kottayam is situated in central Kerala and is the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Bordered by the superior and grand Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the desirable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board. Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "city of letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.

The name is derived from the Malayalam word `kottayakam', which means the hold of a fort. This indicates the the town was the seat of royalty. It continues to be the headquarters of several Christian churches.Apart from being a busy base for Christian missionaries, Kottayam is also an important commercial centre, thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the well-kept plantations of Kottayam. Kottayam is equally well-known for its cultural achievements. It is the Mecca of Kerala's publishing scene, home to dozens of Malayalam newspapers and magazines. To sustain this plethora of publications, Kottayam became the first town in India to attain total literacy, an event which triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the country's first totally literate state. Kottayam is also the birthplace of a unique institution, the Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham or the Writers Co-operative Society, perhaps the first ever co-operative of writers