Kozhikode district, a district of Kerala state is situated in its southwest coastal region. The headquarters of the district is located in the Kozhikode city which was earlier called as Calicut. The district got its name from the two terms namely koyil meaning palace and kota meaning fort. Both the terms together means "A place of fortified palace". During the ancient period of time the Kozhikode city was called by different groups of people differently. Once upon a time the district was the capital of the powerful Zamorins and at that time it was very well developed in trade and commerce. A Portuguese Navigator named Vasco Da Gama found the Kozhikode district in 1498 through the sea route to India. On 1st January, 1957 the Kozhikode district was emerged as a separate district in the map of Kerala state.

Sankaran Kutty Pottekkatt, a distinguished Malayalam writer and author of nearly sixty books was born on 14st March, 1913 at the Kozhikode city. He was honoured by many prestigious awards including Kerala Sahitya Academy award in 1961, the Jnanpith Award in 1980 and many more.

Geographically, the district lies at 11°26'N latitude, 75°78'E longitude and 1 m Altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 80.26% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses an area of 2,345 sq km. and it is bounded by Kannur  district on the north, Wayanad district on the east, Malappuram district on the south and the Arabian Sea on the west. The climate of the district is characterised as the hot and humid climate. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 3293.5 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 4 taluks namely Kozhikode, Koyilandi, Vadakara and Thamarassery. Moreover, it comprises 3 sub-districts, 51 towns and 51 villages.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 30,86,293 out of which 14,70,942 are males and 16,15,351 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 1098 (females for every 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has projected population of 37,63,704 comprising 17,96,680 males and 19,67,024 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has sex ratio of 1,112 females and a child sex ratio of 1,060 females per 1,000 males. In the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 7.20% including 5.12% were males and 9.16% were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 56.21% of the total population. The population density in the district is 1,316 persons per sq. km. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Malayalam with 99.05%. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 42,677 out of which 21,699 were males and 20,976 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 28,846 out of which 16,150 were males and 12,696 were females.

The economy of the district is mainly dependent on agriculture. More than half of its population are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are Banana, coconut, paddy, nuts, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cashew, rubber, tapioca, arecanut, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from these agricultural products helps in its economy to a great extent. The district is scantily industrialised because it has a few small scale industries. Since the district has an intermediate port at Kozhikode and a minor port at Vadakara hence the economy of the district is also based on the business to some extent. In the year 2024-2025 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 1,04,47,959 lakh at current price and Rs. 57,32,255 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2024-2025 was Rs. 94,39,780 lakh at current price and Rs. 52,89,320 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2024-2025 was Rs. 2,74,740 at current price and Rs. 1,53,943 at constant 2011-2012 prices.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. The Calicut University situated about 24 km. in the southern part of Kozhikode in the Malappuram district was established in 1968 and most of the colleges in the Kozhikode district are affiliated to this university. Some of its recognised colleges are Government Engineering College, Malabar Christian College, Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, St. Joseph's College, Farook College, Government Arts and Science College, Providence Women's College, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Government Law College, Government College of Teacher Education, Kerala School of Mathematics, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 95.08% including 97.42% are males and 92.99% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 26,15,443 including 12,66,939 are males and 13,48,504 are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 97.18% including 97.48% are males and 96.92% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

C.H. Mohammed Koya, an eminent Indian politician and the tenth Chief Minister of Kerala from 12th October, 1979 to 1th December, 1979 was born on 15th July, 1927 at Atholi in the Kozhikode district. He was a member of the Indian Union Muslim League, political party.

During the year 2024 there were 13,34,089 domestic tourists and 14,224 foreign tourists who visited these places of the district. The district has several centres of attraction which allures numerous travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Sweat Meat Street, popularly known as SM Street is the one of the busiest shopping spots of Kozhikode. The street got this name because of the presence of numerous sweet meat stalls. Beypore town, situated near to the Beypore River at a distance of 9.65 km. from the Kozhikode district was earlier popularly known as Vaypura and Vadaparappanad. It is one of the significant fishing ports of the Kerala. Thusharagiri, alsao known as the 'Green Splendor' is situated 55 km. away from the Kozhikode city. The mesmerising scenery creates by the four waterfalls in the heart of the forest and streams in the hilly region attract the tourists from far off places. Some other notable places of interest in the district are Kallai, Kappad, Kirtads, Mananchira Square, Science Centre & Planetarium, Kadalundi, Kozhikode Beach, Vadakara, Kuttichira Mosque, Krishna Menon Museum, etc.