Malappuram is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The city has more or less the same climatic conditions prevalent else-where the state. The climate is generally mild hot and humid in nature. However the South West Monsoon is usually very heavy. The first municipality in the district formed in 1970, Malappuram serves as the administrative headquarters of Malappuram district. Divided into 40 electoral wards, the city has a population density of 2,083 per square kilometre (5,390 per square mile). As per the 2011 census Malappuram Urban Agglomeration is the fourth largest urban agglomeration in Kerala state with a total population of 1,698,645. Malappuram is situated 54 km southeast of Calicut, 90 km northwest of Palghat, and 140 km northwest of Coimbatore. The best season to visit Malappuram is during the months of September to March as the weather conditions are quite pleasant. Owing to its natural habitat, Malappuram is also a city of fresh air. According to the Central Pollution Control Board data for the year 2010, of the 180 cities monitored for SO2, NO2 and PM10, Malappuram was one of the two cities which met the criteria of low pollution (i.e. 50% below the standard) for all air pollutants. City is mainly divided to five as Up Hill, Down Hill, Melmuri, Panakkad and Anakkayam. Up Hill: Most of the government offices and establishments including District collectorate are based there. MSP (Malabar Special Police) headquarters, traffic Police HQ, Passport Seva Kendra, Doordarshan Relay station etc. are also situated here. Down Hill(Kottappadi): Considered as the trade hub of the city, occupies city daily market and other commercial enterprises. Malappuram Passport Office which consist of two revenue districts viz. Malappuram and Palghat having the majority of NRI population in Kerala is also situated at Down Hill on Malappuram-Parappanangadi State highway. Melmuri: 4 km from the city centre, Melmuri is famous for Swalath Nagar and Grand Masjid. Melmuri serves as the residential area in the city. Panakkad: Famous for the Panakkad family, Thangals hails from here and IUML political leaders of the district comes from there. Industrial Growth Centre at Panakkad is now under Inkid (a joint venture of Inkel and KSIDC) in developing the land to a prestigious place of the state as Edu-Health City. Anakkayam: This outgrowth of Malappuram has an unavoidable place in history of Kerala. Cashew Research and Development Center is situated here. It is also the major residential area of the city. Kottakkunnu: Known as Marine Drive of Malappuram is a hill garden, the park is one of the highest ticket revenue earning tourism destination in Kerala. Kottakkunnu park contains Water fountain and laser show, 16D cinema, Kids Traffic Park, Adventure Park, an open-air auditorium, Lalitha Kala Academy art gallery, DTPC helipad, a water theme park etc. At Kottakkunnu one can see traces of the first fort built by the Zamorins. This scenic table-top is located at the crest of the Cantonment Hill near the Collectorate. The temples and the mosques of the city are well known for their spiritual atmosphere as well as spectacular festivals. Malappuram Juma Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala. Thiruppuranthaka Temple, Mannoor Shiva Temple, Vettakorumakan Temple are a few famous temples. Shanthitheeram: is a riverside park behind Civil Station under KTDC on the shores of Kadalundi. It has peddle boating, rain huts, amphitheater, food court, pavilion and walk ways. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala: Situated 12 km away, is a world-renowned institute engaged in the practice and propagation of ayurveda, the ancient health care system of India. Arimbra Hills, Malappuram: Tourist spot located near here is a mountain 1000 ft above sea level.