With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the east by travellers from across the world , this backwaters country is also home to diverse animal and bird life.

By virtue of its proximity to the sea , the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.

Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of thsi land is the region called kuttanad.

Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops is at the heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of bananas, yams and casava which accompany the rice bowl as "side dishes". This is one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.

According to the mythology a young brahmin dived into the Vembanad lake to perform his evening ablutions and water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sand of midnight). This little island on the backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and kumarakom and is accessible by boat.