Chennai - City Guide

Chennai is one of the most developed urban centers in the Indian subcontinent. The city forms the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. Formerly called Madras, the city exists as a developed trade and commerce centre in the South India. Complemented with other factors like accredited medical base station and facility provider, flourishing tourism industry, arts and learning centre, the region does not call for any testimonials. The burgeoning automobile industry and IT sector has put the city in global rankings. It is because of this fact the city has many a times been referred as Detroit of South Asia. Some leading medical institutes ushers in the people looking for the best of the treatments. And to have the experience of it there are golden beaches, inviting monuments, holy places and un oblivious Tamil culture. The city is the spice of South India, that has been holding the secrets of rich flavor from time immemorial.

Important Facts

Some important facts about the city are as:

State: Tamil Nadu
Status: Metropolitan city
Former Name: Madras
Area: 174 square kilometers
Population: 4.2 million (2001 census)
Location: South East India - 13.04 °N, 80.17 °E
Population Density: 24,231 persons per square kilometer
Literacy Rate: 80.14 %
Climate: Tropical Climate
Weather: Hot and Humid
Regional Language: Tamil, English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam
Mean Temperatures: 37 °C Summer, 24 °C Winter
Average Rainfall: 1300 mm
Industries: Automobile, IT, Petrochemicals, Textiles, Apparels
Transportation: Roadways, Railways, Airways and Water Transportation
Airports: Chennai International Airport
Airport Terminals: National as well as International
Ports: Chennai Port Ennore Port
Railway Terminals: Chennai Central, Chennai - Egmore
Distance from other metropolitan cities: Calcutta - 1676 kms, Delhi - 2095 kms, Mumbai - 1329 kms
Distance from Nearby Cities: Kancheepuram - 75 kms, Bangalore - 334 kms, Pondicherry - 162 kms, Tirupati - 154 kms, Mamallapuram - 58 kms, Vellore - 145 kms
Foreign Banks: Bank Of America, Bank Of Tokyo-mitsubishi, CitiBank, ECGC OF INDIA LTD, Ryan Services, Standard Chartered Bank

Must Know

The small globe lying in one of the corners of your room is actually a very big place. There are people, called globe trotters, who are fond of exploring new lands and enriching themselves with new experiences. The globe trotters have or develop one distinguished trait and that is to look for the right thing and at the right place. Chennai is a great destination and it would be a blunder to miss essential things during a sojourn in the city. Therefore, it is recommended to have a prior knowledge of the place, once you are destined to reach the place. Some essential facts about the city that a tourist must know as such are:

• Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state is primarily a developed urban center. The city features a number of industrial and commercial places. Some of the regions like Ambattur (extension of Chennai) are better known for these factors only. So, do not expect a fantasy island at such places
• The prime attractions in the city are popular temples, churches and mosques. There are going to be a good lot of people when you reach for these places. For solitude and a nice quite holiday try the beaches instead
• The city is the least populated amongst the metropolitan cities of India. But that in no way means that it is sparsely populated. You will find a good crowd, especially in the central most regions of Chennai like Egmore, George Town and Triplicane
• Chennai culture is very difficult to define. The region is marked by a culture that is dominated by Tamil traits and subdued cosmopolitan features
• The place falls in the south east of India, has an international and domestic airport terminal, railway network that connects it with other cities of India and a vast network of roadways. For commutation there are buses, taxis, auto rickshaws
• The climate is hot and humid. In summers people do sweat and the temperature is not tolerable
• One important thing about Chennai - the actual city center and geographical city center do not coincide
• Tamil and Malayalam dialects are largely used by the people. Do not panic, there are Hindi and Urdu speakers as well, besides English
• People are quite literate and the rate is without doubts high - 80.14 %

Climate

Chennai, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, has a hot and humid tropical climate. The place bears tropical climate with mercury rising higher than 40 °C mark in summers. The average temperature in summers is 37 °C and in winters it is 24 °C. The east of city is lined up by the sea, that is Bay of Bengal. The region thus receives a good amount of annual rainfall, mainly from the north eastern monsoons. Average annual rainfall received by the city is 1300 mm. The cyclones in the Bay of Bengal rarely hit the coastal regions of Chennai. The period from November to February constitutes the winter season and is the best time to visit the place. The period is marked by a tolerable temperature 24 °C and low humidity. There are little rains during this period.

Embassies

Name	Location	Phone
Austria	114-117 Kothari Building, MG Salai, Chennai	2833-4502
Belgium	88 Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai	2235-2336
Germany	49 Ethiraj Salai, Chennai	2821-0810/0824/0830
Indonesia	Thiruvika Industrial Estate, Chennai	2234-1095
Italy	19 Rajaji Salai, Chennai	2534-1110
New Zealand	Maithri, 132 Cathedral Rd, Chennai	2811-2473
Singapore	17 A North Boag Road, T. Nagar, Chennai	2815-8207/8
Spain	8/2 Nimno Road, Santhome, Chennai	2494-2008
Sri Lanka	196 TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai	2498-7896//7612
Switzerland	224 TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai	2811-2232
UK	No. 20, Anderson Road, Chennai	2151-5219-2308/2310
USA	220 Anna Salai, Chennai	2811-2000