Kottayam, located in the southern part of Kerala is an important commercial centre of India, producing a large chunk of cash crops. A beautiful town situated in the hills, most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam. The town is also home to the Rubber Board, one of the country's Primary Commodities Board. Situated in the Backwater circuit, the populace of Kottayam is marked by the presence of the Syrian Christian community. Well known for its churches, Kottayam sandwiched between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats on the east, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes.