Chennai previously known as Madras is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is ranked as India's fourth largest metropolitan city and 34th largest metropolitan area in the world. It is situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the third largest commercial and industrial centre in India, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture.
Chennai has a rich colorful history traces back to 368 years and region surrounding Chennai has served as an important administrative, military, and economic centre dating back to the 1st century. Chennai has been predominantly ruled by South Indian kingdoms remarkably the Pallava, the Chola, the Pandya, and Vijaynagar empires. The town of Mylapore which presently forms a part of the metropolis was once a major port of the Pallava kingdom.
Chennai is situated at 13.04° N 80.17° E on the southeast coast of India and in the northeast corner of Tamil Nadu. It is located on a flat coastal plain known as the Eastern Coastal Plains. The city possesses an average elevation of 6 meters (20 feet), its highest point being 60 m (200 ft). Two rivers amble through Chennai, the Cooum River (or Koovam) in the central region and the Adyar River in the southern region. Chennai lies on the thermal equator and it primarily comprised of coastal region which prevents extreme variation in seasonal temperature. For most part of the year, the weather is hot and humid and the hottest part of the year is late May and early June.
Chennai is the abode of various nearby tourist destinations and it is also the hub for south Indian classical music and dance performances it is a favorite for those who are keen on experience the true flavor of south Indian culture. For the shopping freaks, Chennai also offers a host of choices and excellent quality of silk saris are the specialty in Chennai. For its wide spread popularity as a tourist destination, Chennai has evolved as a city with various ranges of tourist accommodations catering to the varying requirements and budgets of visitors.
