Northern Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Headquarters: Chennai

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46,46,732

Population

Census 2011

175 km²

Area

90.18%

Literacy

Census 2011

1798

District formed

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Overview

Chennai, formerly Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth-largest metropolis in India. Constituted as a district on 2 November 1798, it covered about 175 sq km at the 2011 Census, when it recorded a population of 4,646,732 and a high literacy rate of 90.18%. Situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it is the commercial, cultural and administrative heart of South India. The district was expanded in 2018 to align with the Greater Chennai Corporation limits of about 426 sq km. Known as the 'Gateway to South India,' it blends colonial heritage with a modern industrial and IT economy.

Economy

Chennai has one of India's most diversified urban economies, often called the 'Detroit of Asia' for its concentration of automobile and auto-component manufacturing. It is also a leading centre for IT and software services along the OMR IT corridor, healthcare and medical tourism, electronics manufacturing and financial services. Chennai Port and the nearby Kamarajar (Ennore) Port make it a major logistics and trade gateway. With a 2011 district population of 4.65 million and 90.18% literacy, it offers a large, skilled workforce that underpins its service and manufacturing sectors.

Automobile manufacturingInformation technology and software servicesHealthcare and medical tourismElectronics manufacturingPort and logisticsFinancial services

Tourism

Chennai is a major tourism and cultural hub, home to Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. Landmarks include the 17th-century Fort St. George (the first English fortress in India, now housing the state legislature), the San Thome Basilica, the Government Museum at Egmore and Guindy National Park. The city is renowned for Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance, celebrated during the annual Margazhi music season. Nearby heritage and beach sites make it a base for exploring northern Tamil Nadu.

Temples & heritage

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, a Dravidian-style Shiva temple with a towering gopuram, is Chennai's most famous shrine and a centre of the annual Panguni festival. The Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane, dedicated to Vishnu and dating to the Pallava period, is among the city's oldest temples. Numerous other historic temples, churches and mosques reflect Chennai's religious diversity.

Infrastructure

Chennai is a national transport hub, served by Chennai International Airport, two major seaports, an extensive suburban rail network and the Chennai Metro. It is a key node on the Golden Quadrilateral highway network and hosts the headquarters of Southern Railway. The city is a healthcare capital of India, with numerous multi-specialty hospitals attracting medical tourists.

Education & healthcare

Chennai is one of India's foremost education centres, home to premier institutions such as IIT Madras, Anna University, the University of Madras and numerous medical, engineering and arts colleges. Its 2011 literacy rate of 90.18% was among the highest of any Tamil Nadu district. The city's colleges and research institutions draw students from across India and abroad.

Gallery

The gopuram of Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai · 📷 N. Vivekananthamoorthy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

The MGR Memorial on Chennai's Marina Beach · 📷 Dey.sandip / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

A historical 18th-century engraving of Fort St. George, Chennai · 📷 Jan Van Ryne / Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Videos

Chennai City and Marina Beach - Aerial View

Sources & references

Source: Census of India 2011 (via census2011.co.in); Data note