Chennai
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| Chennai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Chennai |
| Settlement type | Metropolis |
| Coordinates | 13, 05, N, 80... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | India |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Tamil Nadu |
| Subdivision type2 | District |
| Subdivision name2 | Chennai district |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1639 |
| Founder | East India Company |
| Government type | Municipal corporation |
| Governing body | Greater Chennai Corporation |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | R. Priya |
| Area total km2 | 426 |
| Population total | 7,088,000 |
| Population as of | 2018 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population metro | 10,971,108 |
| Population rank | 6th |
| Population demonym | Chennaite |
| Timezone1 | IST |
| Utc offset1 | +5:30 |
| Postal code type | PIN |
| Postal code | 600... |
| Area code type | Telephone code |
| Area code | +91-44 |
| Registration plate | TN-01 to TN-14, TN-18, TN-22 |
| Blank name sec1 | HDI |
| Blank info sec1 | 0.750 (High) |
| Blank name sec2 | Official language |
| Blank info sec2 | Tamil |
| Blank2 name sec2 | Additional official language |
| Blank2 info sec2 | English |
| Website | https://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/ |
Chennai, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major cultural, economic, and educational hub, renowned for its vibrant Tamil cinema industry, historic colonial-era architecture, and as a center for Carnatic music. Governed by the Greater Chennai Corporation, it is one of India's largest metropolitan areas and a significant gateway for trade, technology, and healthcare in South Asia.
History
The region's history spans ancient settlements, notably part of the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara realms. Modern foundations were laid in 1639 when the British East India Company established Fort St. George, a pivotal trading post and the first major English fortress in India. The fort's growth led to the surrounding settlement of George Town, with the city serving as a crucial administrative center for the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. It was a significant site during the Carnatic Wars and the Anglo-Mysore Wars, and later a focal point in the Indian independence movement, witnessing events like the Anti-Hindi agitations. The city was officially renamed from Madras in 1996.
Geography and climate
Situated on a flat coastal plain, the city is bisected by the Cooum River and the Adyar River, with the Buckingham Canal running parallel to the coast. Its defining feature is the expansive Marina Beach, one of the world's longest urban beaches. The climate is classified as tropical wet and dry, heavily influenced by the northeast monsoon, which brings the bulk of its annual rainfall between October and December. The city is vulnerable to cyclonic storms from the Bay of Bengal, such as those in 2015 and 2016, and experiences a hot, humid summer from March to June.
Demographics and culture
Predominantly Tamil-speaking, the metropolitan area is home to diverse communities including Telugu, Malayali, and Kannadigas populations, alongside significant Anglo-Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil communities. It is a global center for Carnatic music, hosting the famed Madras Music Season, and is the heart of the Tamil cinema industry, colloquially known as Kollywood. Major cultural landmarks include the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Basilica, and the Fort St. George Museum. The city's cuisine, notably its filter coffee and idli-sambar, reflects its South Indian heritage.
Economy
A leading economic engine, it hosts major manufacturing sectors, particularly the automotive industry with global plants for BMW, Ford, and Hyundai centered around the Sriperumbudur corridor. It is a global hub for information technology and business process outsourcing, with expansive campuses in areas like OMR and Siruseri. The city is also a premier destination for medical tourism, anchored by institutions like the Apollo Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare, and is a key banking and financial center, housing the Reserve Bank of India's southern office and the Madras Stock Exchange.
Governance and administration
The city is administered by the Greater Chennai Corporation, headed by a Mayor and overseen by the Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation. It forms the core of the Chennai district, with the wider metropolitan area under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is based at the Fort St. George, and the Madras High Court exercises jurisdiction over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The city is divided into three parliamentary constituencies for the Lok Sabha and is policed by the Greater Chennai Police.
Transport
Chennai International Airport serves as a major aviation gateway in South India. The city is a pivotal railway junction for the Southern Railway zone, with central hubs at Chennai Central and Egmore. Its port, one of India's largest, handles significant container and cargo traffic. Urban transit is facilitated by the Chennai Metro, extensive public bus services, and a suburban railway network connecting to satellite cities like Chengalpattu and Gummidipoondi.
Education and research
The city is a renowned educational nucleus, home to prestigious institutions like the University of Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and Anna University. It hosts premier research centers including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the Central Leather Research Institute, and the Kalpakkam nuclear power and research facility. Numerous arts and science colleges are affiliated with the University of Madras, and medical education is anchored by the University of India's oldest medical colleges, the University.