Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Bordered by the lofty and mighty 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 enviable 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 district has a unique place in the history of Kerala; Kottayam is the first literate town in India (1989 June 25). English education started at old seminary (1813), the first printing press in Kerala CMS press by Rev. Benjamin Baily in (1821), the first college of Kerala CMS college (1840) the only Co-operative society of literary workers for book publication Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam (1945), first printed Malayalam English Dictionary was published in 1846, the first Keralite president hailed from Kerala Sri. K.R.Narayanan (1997).

Kottayam literally means the interior of a fort 'Kotta' (fort) + 'Akam' (inside). The Kottayam town is the headquarters of Kottayam district and an important trade and commercial, educational, printing and publishing centre of Centre Travancore Region of Kerala. The city of Kottayam is also known as Akshara Nagari (City of Alphabets) in honour of its contributions to print media and literature. The educational institutes of the Town are catering the needs of the town as well as the region.

Kottayam town, the headquarters of Kottayam district is situated in the central part of Kerala, in the Central Travancore region. It is situated in between 9°29' 46" N and 9º 37' 59" North latitude and 76°29' 22" E and 76°34' 24" East longitudes.