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About Chennai

Chennai formerly called Madras is the state capital of South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Coromadel Coast touching the Bay of Bengal, Chennai initially was a British settlement along Fort St. George. Today, it has grown into the fourth largest metropolis of India. Also known as the Gateway to South India, this 367 years old city is an epitome of Victorian Gothic architecture with its old cathedrals eluding the British dominance in its early construction.

The city is spread over 200 square kilometers encompassing the neighboring villages and towns to accommodate the migrant population. Chennai has acquired a cosmopolitan characteristic amidst the traditional Tamil Hindu culture. The well-preserved ethnicity has enabled the people of Chennai to remain carefully guarded against letting the city develop into a concrete jungle. Chennai preferred to stretch its limits and develop into a green and airy city rather than skyscrapers rudely proclaiming modernization.

Chennai is an important commercial and industrial center of South India. It is often referred to as the automobile capital of India as it houses a major part of the country's automobile industry. Leading automotive companies including Hyundai, Ford, BMW, Mitsubishi, TVS, Ashok Leyland, Madras Rubber Factory (MRF), Michelin etc. have manufacturing plants in and around Chennai.

Besides automotives, Chennai has a prominent position in the IT industry of India. It is the second largest exporter of IT and ITES. Several IT Parks have been developed in and around the city housing top software conglomerates. The Sriperumbudur Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has electronics & hardware manufacturing units of multinationals like Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Dell, Foxconn and Flextronics. Chennai is also aptly termed the Health Capital of India with the best health care facilities available. It is home to Apollo Hospitals Group - a leading healthcare provider.

The various oppotunities that Chennai city provides extend upto the blooming Tamil theatre and Film Industry. Kollywood the Tamil film industry stands the second largest after Bollywood in India. Chennai is also an important Bharatnatyam (an Indian classical dance) centre with world renowned artists performing and teaching here. The city's populace inherits special interest in these creative fields along with a legacy of classical Indian music. The kaleidoscope Chennai presents includes amicable collection of forts, palaces, sandy beaches, temples and shrines. The traditional charm of Chennai blends in perfectly with the vibrant metropolitan nature. The city offers a plethora of must see places. The 12-kilometre long Marina Beach and Elliots Besant Nagar beach form a perfect evening spot with a variety of local cuisine to offer. The sandy uncrowded Breezy beach of Valmiki Nagar and Covelong beach located at a distance of 40 km from Chennai present refreshingly perfect picnic spots.

Vivekananda House & Museum, Government Museum and National Art Gallery, The Theosophical Society, Kalakshetra, Valluvar Kottam, Gudiyam Caves, Snake Park, Anna Zoological Park and Fort St. George and St. Mary's Church form an impressive list of must visit tourist centers in Chennai. Religious and spiritual tourist platter of the city includes Sri Parthasarathy temple (Lord Krishna), Kapaleshwar temple situated in Mylapore dedicated to Lord Shiva, San Thom Cathedral housing a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin Mary that was brought from Portugal, and various other temples, mosques and churches.

For a visitor, Chennai proves to be more than just a Gateway to South India. Traditional South Indian cuisine, textiles and handicrafts vibrate Tamil culture. Whereas the swish hotels and restaurants serving a range of continental and international delicacies, sprawling shopping arcades with latest designer collections and top brands and an array of contemporary art pieces make Chennai a modern shopper's paradise. With numerous multiplexes, pubs, discotheques and nightclubs, the nightlife of Chennai is comparable to other metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

Chennai is well linked by road to all major cities of Tamil Nadu as well as other parts of India. By rail, the main Railway Stations for Chennai are Madras Central and Egmore railway station. By air you can reach Chennai through Kamraj National and Anna International Airports located at Tirusulam, at a distance of 20 km from the city. The city has a hot and humid climate with maximum temperatures running up to 37 C and minimum of 20 C. The monsoon season lasts from June to September with average annual rainfall of 1272 mm. Cotton clothing is best suited for Chennai climate.