Tamil Nadu தமிழ் நாடு

Pykara Waterfall, Tamil Nadu


Tamil Nadu தமிழ் நாடு) is a state in the southeastern tip of India. Covering 130,058 sq km (50,215 sq mi), it has a population of 72 million people (2011 estimate). It is the 11th largest state in terms of size and the 7th most populous. The capital and biggest city is Chennai.

The official language of Tamil Nadu is Tamil, a language with a history going back two thousand years. Tamil Nadu is bordered by by Andhra Pradesh to the north, Karnataka to the northwest, and Kerala to the west. It also surrounds the union territory of Puducherry, located south of Chennai.

Main Cities in Tamil Nadu

Main Sights in Tamil Nadu

Rayavaram, Tamil Nadu


Tamil Nadu has a 910 km coastline, the third longest of any state in the country facing the Bay of Bengal, the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. Sri Lanka is located across Palk Strait. The state has a tropical climate heavily influenced by the monsoon. The wet seasons are from June to September and from October to December, while the dry season is from January to May.

Tamil Nadu has a history going back thousands of years. According to archaeologists, it is among the longest continuously habitated areas in India. Some of the early civilizations to appear in Tamil Nadu include the Chola Empire (300 BC-1279 AD) and the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646).

Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu


Different European powers began to establish settlements in the Tamil Nadu area beginning with the Dutch in Pulicat in 1609 and the Danish in Tranquebar. The British established their settlement in Chennai in 1639. The French dominion of India covered a large area on the eastern coast of the Indian Subcontinent, but this was eroded by the British to just Puducherry.

When India attained its independence in 1947, the Madras State was created. This is the precursor of present-day Tamil Nadu, although it also included coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh, northern Kerala, and Bellary and Dakshin Kannada districts of Karnataka. The present state of Tamil Nadu, meaning "Tamil country", was created in 1968.

Fernhills Palace in Ooty, Tamil Nadu

How to go to Tamil Nadu

Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the third busiest international airport in India, and the gateway to Tamil Nadu. International flights arrive at Anna Terminal. From the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi to downtown Chennai. Fare is around Rs. 450.

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