History
The City of Chennai, also known as Madras earlier times, is the Capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated at the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Spread over an area of about 200 sqkm and still growing, it is the biggest industrial, commercial centre, and a major cultural, economic and educational centre in South India. It is today India’s fourth largest metropolis with an estimated population of 4.68 million (2011). The city is famous for its sandy beaches- the 12 km long Marina Beach being second longest beaches in the world, parks and historic landmarks.
Culture and Tradition
Chennai has a rich culture and heritage that goes back to thousands of years. The city has retained its traditional Tamil roots, boasting of its ancient culture and heritage and maintaining it the way it was since ancient times, while simultaneously acquiring a modern and cosmopolitan character. The people of Chennai have a special interest in music, dance and all other art forms of South India. The city is an important centre for Carnatic music and hosts a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season during Dec-Jan, which includes performances by hundreds of artists. The city has a diverse theatre scene and is one of the important centres for Bharata Natyam, a classical dance form which has been recognized the world over for its beauty and grace.
Geography and climate
Chennai lies on the Eastern Coastal Plains in the southeastern coast of India. Chennai enjoys little variation in seasonal temperature and has a hot and humid climate for most of the year due to its proximity to the sea. The average elevation is 6 meters (20 feet). Daytime temperatures in summer range between 38°C and 42°C, though sometimes it goes beyond 42°C. It gets most of its annual rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, from mid-October to mid-December. The Cooum (or Koovam) and Adyar rivers flow through the city. Chennai has several lakes like Red Hills, Sholavaram, Puzhal and Chembarambakkam, which supply potable water to the city