Search results
If you have time to explore Chennai (formerly Madras), this 284-sq-mi (400-sq-km) conglomerate of urban villages and diverse neighborhoods making up Tamil Nadu's capital will pleasantly surprise you. Its role is as keeper of South Indian artistic, religious and culinary traditions.
- View All Stories
Discover amazing travel experiences in Chennai Madras with...
- View All Stories
Chennai (/ ˈ tʃ ɛ n aɪ / ⓘ, Tamil: [ˈt͡ɕenːaɪ̯], IAST: Cennaī), formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is the state's primate city and is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal .
- Overview
- City site
- Climate
- City layout
- People
- Manufacturing
- Finance and other services
- Transportation and telecommunications
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.
Britannica Quiz
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.
Exclusive academic rate for students! Save 67% on Britannica Premium.
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.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
People also ask
When was Madras renamed Tamil Nadu?
When was Chennai renamed Madras?
Where is Tamil Nadu located?
Why should you visit Chennai (Madras)?
Aug 22, 2023 · August 22 is annually celebrated as Madras Day, to commemorate the foundation day of the city of Madras (now Chennai). It was on this day in 1639 that the town of Madrasapatnam, which later expanded and developed into modern-day Chennai, was purchased by the East India Company (EIC) from local kings.
- Rishika Singh
- 153
Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, in the southern part of India. Located on the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal, Chennai is as dynamic as it is immersed in tradition.
- This city is well connected with major cities in the country and daily trains are easily available. Chennai is also well connected to both national...
- Accessible from all over the country and has excellent transport facilities.One of the most visited Indian cities by foreign tourists, Chennai hous...
- Temperatures are very high from March to October. Most of the people do not speak Hindi and English, knowledge of basic Tamil may be required. Auto...
- Chennai is ideal to be used as a base for people looking for a trip to South India. Chennai is also suitable for beach lovers.If you’re a nature lo...
- Being one among the most popular religious capital cities in India, Chennai is quite a crowd puller for its ancient culture and art. Its geographic...
- Chennai’s local cuisine consists of traditional South Indian food such as sambar, dosas and idlis. Ranging from street side stalls to upscale resta...
- The packages for Chennai start at INR 6768 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and custom...
- There are 849 in Chennai which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Chennai are Phoenix Serviced Apartment - Anna Nagar, Adit...
- The top things to do in Chennai are Marina Beach, Government Museum, Chennai, MGR Film City, Breezy Beach, Marundeeswarar Temple, Arignar Anna Zool...
- The top places near to Chennai are Pulicat which is 40 km from Chennai, Bodinayakkanur which is located 40 km from Chennai, Pondicherry which is lo...
2 days ago · Tamil Nadu, state of India, located in the extreme south of the country. It represents the Tamil-speaking area of what was formerly the Madras Presidency of British India. The capital is Chennai, in the northeastern portion of the state.
History of Chennai. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India 's fifth largest city. [1] . It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. With an estimated population of 8.9 million (2014), the 383-year-old city is the 31st largest metropolitan area in the world.
