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 Chennai, one of the four major metropolitan cities of India, is the capital of the southeastern state of Tamilnadu-the exotic state famous for its cutworks in the temples, coconut fringes, and silk saris. The city of Chennai was earlier known as Madras. The city of Chennai was once a village of the fishing community. In 1639, the British took over the place and made it the capital of the British presidency. It used to be the center of conflict for the supremacy of the British and the French.
Stretched out at the coastline of the country, it has number of sites for the tourists to visit. The Marina beach, where the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal mingle with the golden sands, or the forts and palaces, which remind one of the bygone eras, make Chennai a preferred destination of the tourists. This thirteen kilometers long marvelous Marina beach adds more beauty to the city.
While on tour to Chennai, visit the splendid building of state secretariat of the St. George Forte, where you can find a variety of British and French antiques and other commemorations. Chennai offers a lot of opportunities to the nature and animal lovers. Here you can visit the Guindy National Park and the Snake Park where one can have adventure with lots of fun. Other main attractions of the city are the Santhome Cathedral, Birla Planetarium, Elliot Beach, Valluvar Kottam, National Art and Government Museum, Anna Zoological Park, Kalakshetra and the Theosophical Society.
Chennai at a Glance
| Area | 174.00 sq. km |
| Population | 4, 216, 268 (2001) |
| Altitude | Sea level |
| Languages | Tamil and English |
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Best time to visit | November to February |
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STD Code | 044 |
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