Capital - Chennai
No. of Districts - 38
Population - 72,147,030
Area - 130,058 sqkm
Pop. Density - 555/km2 (1,440/sq mi)
GDP - 20.91 lakh crore (US$290 billion)
Literacy Rate - 80.1%
Gender Ratio - 996
Official Website - http://www.tn.gov.in/
Tamil Nadu is one of the southern states of India, known for its rich cultural heritage, history, and contribution to literature, art, and cuisine. Here are some key facts about Tamil Nadu:
Location: Tamil Nadu is situated in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the southeast, Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to the north.
Capital: The capital city of Tamil Nadu is Chennai (formerly known as Madras), which is also the largest city in the state. Chennai is a major cultural, economic, and educational hub in South India.
Language: The primary language spoken in Tamil Nadu is Tamil. Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages in the world and has a rich literary tradition dating back over two millennia.
History: Tamil Nadu has a long and illustrious history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Stone Age. It was ruled by various dynasties such as the Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas, who left behind magnificent temples, sculptures, and inscriptions that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites today.
Economy: Tamil Nadu has a diverse economy with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors. The state is known for its automotive and manufacturing industries, with major automobile companies like Hyundai, Ford, and Renault having manufacturing plants in the state.
Culture: Tamil Nadu is renowned for its vibrant culture, which includes classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, classical music, and traditional festivals such as Pongal, Tamil New Year (Puthandu), and Deepavali (Diwali). The state is also famous for its exquisite temple architecture, with temples like the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur and Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai being prime examples.
Cuisine: Tamil Nadu is known for its distinctive cuisine, which is characterized by its use of rice, lentils, spices, and coconut. Some popular dishes include dosa, idli, sambar, rasam, and various types of rice preparations like biryani and pongal.
Education: Tamil Nadu places a strong emphasis on education and boasts several prestigious educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Anna University, and the University of Madras.
Tourism: The state attracts a large number of tourists each year, drawn by its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches along the Coromandel Coast, hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal, wildlife sanctuaries, and pilgrimage sites.
Politics: Tamil Nadu has a dynamic political landscape with several prominent political parties. Dravidian parties like the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have traditionally been dominant in the state's politics.
These key facts capture some of the essence of Tamil Nadu, but the state's richness in history, culture, and contributions to various fields make it a fascinating and diverse region of India.