About Chennai
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the largest city on India's southeastern coast. Known as Madras until 1996, it is the cultural capital of South India, a major economic hub, and a city where deep tradition coexists with rapid modernisation.
History
Chennai's recorded history begins with the establishment of Fort St. George by the British East India Company in 1644, making it one of the earliest colonial settlements in India. However, the region's history stretches much further back. Mylapore was a thriving port town long before European contact, with Tamil literary references dating to the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). The Pallava dynasty built the temples and rock-cut architecture that still define the region's heritage, most notably at Mahabalipuram.
Under British rule, Madras grew into a major administrative and commercial centre, and the city's colonial architecture, from the Madras High Court to the Ripon Building, reflects that era. After Indian independence in 1947, Madras became the capital of the newly formed Madras State, later renamed Tamil Nadu. The city was officially renamed Chennai in 1996, reclaiming its pre-colonial identity.
Geography & Size
Chennai sits on the flat Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal. The metropolitan area covers approximately 426 square kilometres and is divided into 200 wards across 15 zones administered by the Greater Chennai Corporation. The city is broadly divided into North Chennai, Central Chennai, and South Chennai by the Cooum and Adyar rivers. The coastline stretches over 19 kilometres, with Marina Beach being the most prominent landmark at 13 kilometres.
Population & Demographics
The city proper has a population of approximately 7.1 million, while the Chennai Metropolitan Area exceeds 11 million. Tamil is the primary language and the working language of government and everyday life. English is widely used in business, education, and the IT sector. The city is predominantly Tamil but has significant Telugu, Malayalam, Marwari, Bengali, and Anglo-Indian communities, each concentrated in specific neighbourhoods such as Sowcarpet, Purasawalkam, and George Town.
Economy
Chennai is India's fourth-largest economy by GDP. The city is a major centre for automobile manufacturing (earning it the nickname "Detroit of India"), information technology, healthcare tourism, and film production (Kollywood). The IT corridor along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and the SIPCOT IT Park in Siruseri house offices of global technology companies. The port of Chennai is one of the largest in the country by container traffic, and the city is a major hub for exports in the automotive and electronics sectors.
Culture & Arts
Chennai is the global centre of Carnatic music and the birthplace of Bharatanatyam. The annual Margazhi music and dance season in December draws performers and connoisseurs from around the world to over 3,000 concerts across six weeks. Institutions like the Music Academy, Kalakshetra Foundation, and Narada Gana Sabha form the backbone of the city's cultural infrastructure. The city also has a strong literary tradition, with the Chennai Book Fair being one of the largest in Asia.
Food
Chennai's food culture is defined by South Indian vegetarian traditions, Chettinad non-vegetarian cuisine, and a competitive biryani scene. Filter coffee, idli-sambar, dosa, and vada are daily staples rather than occasional meals. Street food thrives in areas like Sowcarpet, Marina Beach, and Mint Street. The city's dining range spans century-old legendary eateries like Saravana Bhavan and Ratna Cafe to modern fine dining at Avartana and Dakshin.
Heritage
Chennai's heritage is multi-faith and multi-era. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, the San Thome Cathedral, the Thousand Lights Mosque, and the Jain temples of George Town reflect the city's religious diversity. Colonial-era landmarks include Fort St. George, the Government Museum (India's second oldest), the Madras High Court, and the Ripon Building. Newer heritage sites include the Valluvar Kottam, dedicated to the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar.