Chennai, formaly called as Madras, is a metropolitan city, which is the largest in South India and  fourth largest city in India.  The geographical area of Chennai is 172 sq. km. The climate is tropical with two monsoons : June to August and September to November.

Basically three centuries back Chennai was a small fishing village. The founding of the city proper is largely due to the establishment of Fort St. George by the British.

Today, Chennai is the capital of the state  Tamil Nadu and the city is the gateway to South India. Chennai is a major trade centre and well connected by air, sea and road. The city has proper educational facilities and is well known for health care facilities. This urban city also has all other facilities like amusement parks, good hotels and restaurants, theatre, shopping malls, etc.

The city has a stock exchange called Madras Stock Exchange and also has facilities of National Stock Exchange and Over the Counter Exchange of India. Further, Chennai is emerging as a major player in the gloabl automobile and software sectors. The city also has an export processing zone.

Chennai has continued to be a centre which has blended the foreign influence with the traditional Tamil-Hindu culture. As a city it continues to maintain the best of South Indian traditions. This is not surprising because the region was an important centre of Pallavan culture long before the British came here and the traces of which are to be found in the numerous old temples.

Thus, the unwary visitor will find Madras more than just a gateway of South India. He shall find it a convenient base to peep into the varied aspects of traditional south Indian culture and life styles which intermingle with the modern city complete with its plush hotels and restaurants- offering a range of continental and typical south Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of beaches, modern shopping centres which offer traditional handicrafts, textiles and much more peculiar to this part of India.

Besides the modern city itself, there are several interesting towns like Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram, each with a rich collection of ancient temples and an array of traditional handicrafts which are very much their own.

(The international telephone code for Chennai is 00-91-44.)

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Hospitals

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• Kalakshetra
  Thiruvanmayur
  Chennai
• Lalit Kala Academy
  170 Greams Road
  Egmore
  Chennai
• Kala Sadhanalaya  : A Bharatanatyam dance institution.
• Kuchipudi Art Academy : A Kuchipudi dance institution.
• Tamil Nadu Government Music College Greenways Road
  Chennai 600028
  Ph : 4937217
  

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Places of Tourist Interest

Official Government Tour Operator : Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation

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