Kochi ([koˈtʃːi ]), also known as Cochin, is a major port city on the south west coast of India by the Laccadive Sea and is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Kochi is often called Ernakulam, which refers to the mainland part of the city. The city of Kochi (pop. 601,574) is the second largest city and second most densely populated city in the state and is part of an extended metropolitan region (pop. 2.1 million), which is the second largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. Kochi city is also a part of the Greater Cochin region and is classified as a Tier-II city by the Government of India.