When you speak about Pondicherry in this novel, you are speaking of the first incidence of setting of place. Therefore it's important to discuss the city in that regard.
My first (and strong) inclination is to say the VAST European influence in the city of Pondicherry in India. This is absolutely imperative in shaping Pi's thinking throughout the story. It is obvious that Pi was exposed to other religions other than his own family's. Of course, this is because Pondicherry was predominantly ruled by the French for hundreds of years already. (Even the idea of having a "zoo" for exotic animals is a fairly European idea.) Why is this important? Consider this quotation:
Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see God in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians, in their devotion to God, are hat wearing Muslims.
This idea, this blending of religions is the focal point of the book (and the focus of my favorite quotation, and one I will never forget). Don't forget when the older Pi turns to the reporter and asks him which story he likes better. The reporter answers that he liked the one with the animals the best. We should stand in awe at Pi's response:
And so it is with God.
That is to imply that ANY response the reporter would have said, ANY response the reporter would have clung to, ANY response the reporter would believe, ... is the right one. And all of this from Pi growing up in Pondicherry!
Secondly, yes, I must agree that it is also important that Pondicherry be a coastal city. With little or no knowledge of the ocean or boats, Pi (despite his smarts) could not have much hope of survival. In this way, then, the setting of Pondicherry makes Pi's eventual story more realistic, for sure.
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