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Find out the location, history, attractions and economy of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth most populous metropolitan area in India. See the map of Chennai showing roads, hotels, hospitals and other places of interest.
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Find out where Chennai is in India, how many people live there and what to see in the city. Explore the satellite map, photo map and street map of Chennai and its districts, localities and landmarks.
Aug 5, 2013 · Find out about Chennai, the fourth largest metropolis in India, located on the southeastern coast. Learn about its history, culture, geography, economy and more from this comprehensive guide.
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Chennai was previously called Madras. Madras was the shortened name of the fishing village Madraspatnam, where the British East India Company built a fort and factory (trading post) in 1639–40. Tamil Nadu officially changed the name of the city to Chennai in 1996.
How was Chennai founded?
The present-day Chennai city emerged from the British East India Company's fort and a trading post at Fort St. George. By 1652, Fort St. George was recognized as a presidency, and between 1668 and 1749 the company expanded its control. The English became masters of southern India and Madras, their administrative and commercial capital.
In which state is Chennai located?
Chennai is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is also the capital of the state.
Chennai, city, capital of Tamil Nadu state, southern India, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Known as the “Gateway to South India,” Chennai is a major administrative and cultural centre. Pop. (2011) city, 4,646,732; urban agglom., 8,696,010.
Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal. The Cooum (Koovam) River flows through its centre and the Adyar River through its southern portion. The Buckingham Canal runs parallel to the coast, joining the Kortalaiyar (Kosasthalaiyar) River in the northern edges of the city and the Muttukadu Backwaters south of the city.
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Chennai’s climate is warm and humid. It reaches average temperatures of 89 °F (32 °C) in May and 77 °F (25 °C) in January. Annual rainfall is about 50 inches (1,250 mm), occurring mostly from October to mid-December.
Madras developed without a plan from its 17th-century core, formed by Fort St. George and the Indian quarters. To the north and northwest are the industrial areas. The main residential areas are to the west and south, where a number of modern high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed, and the old villages are in the centre.
The most distinctive buildings in the city are the seven large temples in the Dravidian style, situated in the city sections of George Town, Mylapore, and Triplicane. The Chepauk Palace (the former residence of the nawab [Mughal ruler] of Karnataka) and the University Senate House, both in the Deccan Islamic style, and the Victoria Technical Institute and the High Court buildings, both in the Indo-Saracenic style, are generally considered the most attractive buildings of the British period.
The population of Chennai is predominantly Tamil. About four-fifths of the population is Hindu; Muslims, Christians, and Jains make up the remainder. Tamil is the most common language, and many professionals speak English. About one-tenth of the population speaks Telugu; slightly fewer speak some variety of Hindustani.
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Since the late 1990s, software development and electronics manufacturing have made up the bulk of Chennai’s economy. Numerous technology parks, where many foreign companies have offices, are found throughout the city. Other major industries include the manufacture of automobiles, rubber, fertilizer, leather, iron ore, and cotton textiles. Wheat, ma...
Services, especially finance and tourism, are also significant. Indian Bank and Indian Overseas Bank, both administered by the Ministry of Finance, are headquartered in Chennai. Hotels, luxury resorts, restaurants, marinas, and parks line Marina Beach, the coastline abutting Chennai city.
Chennai is well connected by road, rail, air, and sea. It has an international airport and seaport. Within the city a network of bus services and auto-rickshaws are common modes of transport. About 37 miles (60 km) south of Chennai, the historic town of Mamallapuram, with its Shore Temple, is a popular tourist destination.
Chennai has one of the highest penetrations of high-speed Internet access in India and is one of a handful of cities in the country connected to submarine fibre-optic cables. It was one of the first cities in India to offer free Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces.
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu state in southern India, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Learn about its history, culture, economy, climate, and attractions from Britannica, the trusted source of knowledge.
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Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the sixth-most populous city in India and the gateway to South India. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a major economy and a UNESCO Creative City status.
Mar 26, 2024 · Find maps of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, with streets, roads, beaches, rivers, buildings, parks and more. See Chennai city centre map and location map of Chennai on the world map.
