Topography

Topographically the district has three distinct regions-the sandy coastal beelt, the rocky highlands formed by the hilly portion of the Western Ghats and lateritic midland. Of the total area of 23444 sq.kms, the sandy coastal belt is 362.85 sq.kms., lateritic midlands 1343.50 sq.kms. and rocky highlands 637.65 sq.kms.

All the three taluks are spread over the three regions. The district has a coastal length about 80 kms. Kozhikode district is stimulated on the south-west coast of India. The district is bounded on the north by Kannur district, on the east by Wayanad district, on the south by Malappuram district and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It is situated between North latitudes 11⁰08’ and 11⁰50’ and East longitudes 75⁰30’ and 76⁰08’.

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 has all the elements that fascinate a visitor. The highland region accounts for 26.80 per cent and the lowland region for 15.55 per cent of the total area of the district.

Climate

The district has a humid climate with a very hot season extending from March to May. The most important rainy season is during the South – West Monsoon which sets in the first week of June and extends up to September. The North-East Monsoon extends from the second half of October through November. The average annual rainfall is 3266 m.m.

During December to March, practically no rain is received and from October onwards, the temperature gradually increase to reach the maximum in May, which is the hottest month of the year. The maximum temperature in the month of May comes to 36⁰C. The highest maximum temperature recorded at Kozhikode was 39.4⁰C during the month of March 1975 and the lowest temperature was 14⁰C recorded on 26^th December 1975. Humidity is very high in the coastal region.

Religion and Customs

Hindus constitute the majority of the population and next come the Muslim and the Christina communities respectively.

The Hindu community is organized on the basis of caste and sub castes as elsewhere in the State. They worship all the major Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon as well as several minor deities. Vishnu and Siva are the major Gods worshipped. The temples are in many respects different from those of the East Coast. Elaborate rules prescribed by the Sastras are followed in their construction. The Kavu dedicated to the Bhadrakali is a typical example. They have their own oracles called Velichappad. There are also temples devoted to such deities as Ayyappan, Hanuman and Garuda. Serpent worship has been widely prevalent here. Ancestor worship also practiced by the Hindus.

The Muslims of the district are known as Mappilas. A great majority of them are sunnis following the Shafi school of thought. They are noted for their piety.

Though Christianity is believed to have been introduced in Kerala in 52 A.D, not much progress was made by the Christians of this district before the advent of the Portuguese towards the close of the 15th century. Almost all different sections of Christians are represented here. Christians of Travancore and Cochin have migrated to the hilly regions and have settled there.

Library movement in kozhikode

The beginning of library movement in Kozhikode District can be traced to the second decade of 20th century, gearing up the national movement for independence. The first organized library is the Calicut Public Library established in 1890, by the Calicut Municipal Council, subsequently renamed as central library and managed under the regulations of the Madras State Public Libraries Act 1948. Some of the local bodies also had established public libraries.

In 1920s, 30s and 40s, a number of village libraries were established by voluntary workers and thus a network of non governmental library system was organized. Those were centres for forming opinions providing library feedback for unifying the common people to rise up against imperial foreign rulers.

In 1937 a meeting of the library organizers were held at Kozhikode Town hall and Malabar Library Association was formed with the aim of co-ordinating individual libraries. Though the Madras Public Libraries Act 1948 was promulgated most of the village libraries were out of the preview of the Act but for the central library and local libraries.

Subsequent to the re-organization of States in 1956, and the formation of a state government in Kerala, attempts were made for an enactment. Such an attempt was made in 1958, but failed. Though a uniform act was not existing library organizations were trying for state wide library movement and lastly Kerala Library Union was formed in 1958 (subsequently renamed as Kerala Grandha sala Sanghom).

Most of the village libraries were affiliated to the central organ and elected bodies were formed from individual library to the state sanghom. With the minimum assistance from the State government and liberal contributions of the general public the Kerala State library system was effectively functioning up to 1977. In 1977 by an ordinance the elected bodies were dissolved and the administration of libraries devolved on a Control board. Finally, Kerala Public Libraries (Kerala Grandha sala Sanghom) Act 1989 has been enacted. In 1994 election to the respective bodies were conducted under the new Act and now more than five thousand libraries are functioning independently under the guidance and help of the Kerala State Library Council.

In Kozhikode District there are 393 affiliated libraries, some of them were established in 1930s. Out of them 28 are having books more than ten thousand. Desaposhini Vayanasala at Kuthiravattom is the biggest. All the local libraries, Public Libraries and Central Library are managed under the Madras Act, in Kozhikode District, have been devolved on the District Library Council under the Act 1989.

Individual libraries are functioning freely according to the byelaws they adopted and Library Council render necessary help, financial assistance and guidance through supervision.

Many projects have been introduced for lively and effectively functioning of libraries that are at the each of every person who seeks access to library.