Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state of India. It is the tenth largest state by area and the sixth largest by population. The people of Tamil Nadu are called Tamils, and they speak the Tamil language, which is very special and was the first to be recognized as a classical language in India. Chennai, the state's largest city and capital, is a busy and important place.

Tamil Nadu is located on the southeastern coast of the Indian peninsula. It is surrounded by mountains and plateaus on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. The river Kaveri flows through the state, giving life to the land. Tamil Nadu shares borders with the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, and it also has a maritime border with Sri Lanka.

People have lived in Tamil Nadu for hundreds of thousands of years. The state has a rich history with many different rulers, including the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, and the Vijayanagara Empire. Later, European traders came, and the British controlled the area for a long time. After India gained independence in 1947, the state was renamed Tamil Nadu, meaning "Tamil Country."

Today, Tamil Nadu has a strong economy and is one of the most industrialized states in India. It is known for its manufacturing, tourism, and beautiful places like beaches, hill stations, and forests. The Tamil film industry, called Kollywood, is very popular and influences the culture of the state. With its mix of history, nature, and modern development, Tamil Nadu is a special and important part of India.

Etymology

The name Tamil Nadu comes from the Tamil language. The word "nadu" means "land," so Tamil Nadu means "the land of Tamils." The exact origin of the word Tamil is not fully known, but there are many theories about it. In ancient writings called Sangam literature, the area that is now Tamil Nadu was known as Tamilakam. This included parts of modern-day Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Important books from that time, like Tolkāppiyam and Cilappatikaram, talk about this region and sometimes use the name Tamil Nadu to describe it.

History

Main article: History of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a long history. Evidence shows people lived there over 385,000 years ago. Important ancient cities and settlements have been found, showing life from thousands of years back.

The Sangam period lasted from about 500 BCE to 300 CE. During this time, Tamil Nadu was ruled by three main groups: the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. These rulers supported different religions and created early Tamil books. They also traded with faraway lands like Rome.

In later centuries, new rulers came to power. The Cholas built big temples and expanded their lands far away. After many changes in rulers, Europeans arrived in the 16th century. The British set up a major trading post that later grew into the city of Chennai.

After India gained independence in 1947, the area was called Madras state. It was later renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969. The state grew and developed, becoming one of India's more modern and urban areas.

Environment

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the tenth-largest state in India, covering an area of 130,058 km². It is located on the southeastern coast of the Indian peninsula. The state is surrounded by the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau to the west, the Eastern Ghats to the north, and the Eastern Coastal Plains along the Bay of Bengal to the east. To the southeast lies the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and to the south, the Laccadive Sea. Tamil Nadu shares borders with the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as the union territory of Puducherry. The southernmost point of mainland India, Kanyakumari, is in Tamil Nadu.

The Western Ghats, with their highest peak at Doddabetta, run along the western edge of the state. The Eastern Ghats parallel the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side. Between these ranges lies the Coromandel region. The Deccan Plateau slopes gently from west to east, feeding major rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal. Tamil Nadu has a long coastline of 1,076 km, the second longest in India after Gujarat. Coral reefs can be found in the Gulf of Mannar and around Lakshadweep islands. The coastline was changed permanently by a big ocean event in 2004.

Geology

Tamil Nadu is mostly in an area with low earthquake risk, except for the western border, which has a low to moderate risk. The Deccan Plateau's volcanic basalt beds were formed during a big eruption between 67 and 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period. The soils in Tamil Nadu include red loam, laterite, black, alluvial, and saline soils. Red soil, rich in iron, covers much of the state, while black soil is found in western areas and parts of the southern coast. Alluvial soil is common in the fertile Kaveri delta, and saline soil is found along the coast where evaporation is high.

Climate

Tamil Nadu has a tropical climate and relies on monsoons for rain. The state is divided into seven agro-climatic zones. Most of the inland area has a tropical wet and dry climate, while a semi-arid rain shadow exists east of the Western Ghats. Winters and early summers are dry, with temperatures above 18 °C (64 °F). Summers can be very hot, with temperatures over 50 °C (122 °F) in low-lying areas. The rainy season runs from June to September, with average annual rainfall between 750 and 1,500 mm (30 and 59 in). The northeast monsoon, starting in September, brings most of the rain to Tamil Nadu when other parts of India are drier.

A hot semi-arid climate covers the land east of the Western Ghats, including inland south and south-central parts of the state, with annual rainfall between 400 and 750 mm (15.7 and 29.5 in). Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures around 32 °C (90 °F) from March to May and about 320 mm (13 in) of rain. Without irrigation, this area is not good for farming.

The southwest monsoon from June to September brings most of the rain to the west. The Arabian Sea branch hits the Western Ghats from Kerala and moves north along the Konkan coast, but the Deccan Plateau blocks these winds, so the area behind them gets very little rain. The Coramandel coast does not get much rain from the southwest monsoon. The northern and eastern parts of Tamil Nadu get most of their rain from the northeast monsoon.

The northeast monsoon happens from November to early March when the high-pressure system is strongest. Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea can bring strong winds and heavy rain throughout the year. Tamil Nadu's annual rainfall is about 945 mm (37.2 in), with 48% coming from the northeast monsoon and 52% from the southwest monsoon. The state has only 3% of India's water resources and depends entirely on rain to refill its water supplies. When monsoons fail, there can be serious water shortages and droughts.

Flora and fauna

Main articles: Wildlife of Tamil Nadu and List of birds of Tamil Nadu

Forests cover 22,643 km² (17.4% of the land). Tamil Nadu has many different plants and animals because of its varied climates and landscapes. Deciduous forests grow along the Western Ghats, while tropical dry forests and scrub lands are common inside the state. The southern Western Ghats have rain forests at high altitudes. The Western Ghats are one of the world's eight richest areas for biodiversity and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are about 2,000 types of wildlife, 5,640 types of flowering plants (including 1,559 medicinal plants, 533 endemic species, 260 wild relatives of crops, and 230 species on the list of plants at risk), 64 types of gymnosperms, and 184 types of ferns and similar plants.

Important places for nature in Tamil Nadu include the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Nilgiri Hills, the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Agastya Mala-Cardamom Hills, and the Gulf of Mannar coral reefs. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers 10,500 km² of ocean, islands, and coastline, including coral reefs, salt marshes, and mangroves. It is home to endangered sea animals like dolphins, dugongs, whales, and sea cucumbers. Bird sanctuaries such as Thattekad, Kadalundi, Vedanthangal, Ranganathittu, Kumarakom, Neelapattu, and Pulicat are home to many birds that travel long distances and local birds.

Protected areas cover 3,305 km² (2.54% of the land and 15% of the forests). Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, founded in 1936, was India's first wildlife sanctuary. Mudumalai National Park was founded in 1940. These protected areas are managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Pichavaram has many islands with mangrove forests, one of the largest in India, supporting rare shells, fish, and birds. The state has five National Parks: Anamalai, Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Gulf of Mannar (a marine park), and Guindy in Chennai. Tamil Nadu also has 18 wildlife sanctuaries.

There is one conservation reserve at Tiruvidaimarudur in Thanjavur district. The state has two zoos recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India: Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, both in Chennai. Other smaller zoos are in Coimbatore, Vellore, Salem, Yercaud, Tiruchirapalli, and Nilgiris. There are five places where crocodiles are kept: Amaravati in Coimbatore district, Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, Kurumbapatti in Salem district, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Chennai, and Sathanur in Tiruvannamalai district. Endangered animals in Tamil Nadu include the grizzled giant squirrel, grey slender loris, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, and the Indian leopard.

Administration and politics

Administration

Further information: Local government in Tamil Nadu and List of departments of the government of Tamil Nadu

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and is where the state's government operates. The state is split into 38 districts, each managed by a District Collector. These districts are further divided into smaller areas for easier management. Urban areas are run by different types of local bodies depending on their size and population, such as municipal corporations or town panchayats. Rural areas follow a three-level system called the Panchayati Raj, with district, block, and village levels of local government.

Legislature

The governor of Tamil Nadu is the official head of the state, while the chief minister holds the actual executive power. Tamil Nadu's legislature has changed over time. It started with advisory councils and grew into a fully elected body. Today, the state has a single legislative house called the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, located in Chennai. The state also sends members to the national parliament in New Delhi.

Law and order

The Madras High Court is the main court in Tamil Nadu, ensuring fair laws and justice. The Tamil Nadu Police works to keep the state safe, with many officers and special stations to protect women and manage traffic. The state is known for being safe, with low crime rates.

Politics

Main articles: Elections in Tamil Nadu and Politics of Tamil Nadu

Elections in Tamil Nadu are managed by an independent national body. For many years, national parties led the state, but this changed in the 1960s when local parties became more important. Two main local parties, the DMK and AIADMK, have mostly controlled the state's politics since then. Leaders from these parties have served as chief ministers for many years. Tamil Nadu has also contributed three leaders to serve as presidents of India.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is a busy state in India with lots of people. In 2011, about 72 million people lived there, and by 2023, this number grew to around 77 million. Many people in Tamil Nadu live in cities, with more than half of the population in urban areas. The state is known for having a good education rate, with over 80% of people able to read and write.

Main article: List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population

Further information: List of towns in Tamil Nadu by population

Chennai, the capital city, is the biggest city with over 8 million people. Other big cities include Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Tiruppur.

Main article: Religion in Tamil Nadu

People in Tamil Nadu have many different religions. Most people, about 88%, follow Hinduism. Christians make up about 6% of the population, and Muslims about 6% too. Tamil is the main language spoken by most people, but other languages like Telugu, Kannada, Urdu, and Malayalam are also spoken.

Main article: LGBT rights in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has been helpful and fair to everyone, no matter who they love. The state started a special program to support transgender people and has made sure everyone is treated equally.

Culture and heritage

Further information: Tamil culture

Clothing

Tamil women traditionally wear a sari, a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist with one end over the shoulder. Women wear colorful silk saris for special events like weddings. Men wear a veshti or a dhoti, which are pieces of cloth wrapped around the waist. In cities, people often wear modern clothes.

Cuisine

Rice is a main part of meals in Tamil Nadu, served with dishes like sambar, rasam, and poriyal. Coconut and spices are used a lot. Popular breakfast foods include idli, dosa, and pongal. Meals are often eaten from a banana leaf using hands.

Literature

Tamil Nadu has a long history of literature, with writings from over 2500 years ago. Early works include the Tolkappiyam and epics like Cilappatikaram. Famous writers like Thiruvalluvar and Subramania Bharati have contributed to Tamil literature.

Architecture

Tamil Nadu is known for its Dravidian architecture, where temples have tall towers called gopurams. These temples also have halls and special pools. Over time, different styles like British and Islamic influences added to the architecture.

Arts

Tamil Nadu is famous for its music, dance, and art. Bharatanatyam is a classical dance from the region. Traditional instruments include nadaswaram and thavil. Chennai is a big center for cultural events and music festivals.

Festivals

Pongal is a big harvest festival celebrated in January. Puthandu marks the Tamil New Year in April. Other festivals like Karthikai Deepam and Thaipusam are also celebrated with special traditions and events.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a strong economy that grows faster than the rest of India. By the end of 2023, the state's total wealth was ₹27.22 trillion (US$290 billion), making it the second richest state in India. It has many factories and a lot of people working in different jobs.

The state is good at making things and providing services. It is especially known for cars, computer technology, textiles, and healthcare. Tamil Nadu also grows a lot of rice and other crops, and it is a big place for fishing and fish farming.

Infrastructure

Tamil Nadu has limited water resources, with only 3% of the country's water despite having 6% of the population. The state relies on monsoons and rivers like the Kaveri, Bhavani, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani for water. Many of these rivers start in neighboring states, leading to water-sharing disagreements. Water supply and sewage are managed locally, and desalination plants, such as the large one in Minjur, help provide drinking water.

The state has strong health services, with nearly all people having access to toilets and good health facilities. Tamil Nadu has many hospitals, both government-run and private, and offers free polio vaccines. It is also a center for medical tourism, with Chennai known as "India's health capital." The state has good communication networks, including undersea fiber-optic cables and mobile services from companies like Bharti Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone Idea, and Reliance Jio. Tamil Nadu also has a high capacity for power generation, including thermal, nuclear, and wind power, and is a leader in renewable energy. The state has a vibrant media scene with many newspapers, television, and radio stations.

Transportation

Roads

Main article: Road network in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has many roads covering about 271,000 kilometers as of 2023. The Highways Department of the state was set up in April 1946 to build and take care of national highways, state highways, and other roads. There are 48 National Highways in Tamil Nadu, totaling 6,805 kilometers in length. The state also has state highways and many buses for public transport. As of 2020, Tamil Nadu had 32.1 million registered vehicles.

Rail

Further information: Southern Railway zone

The rail network in Tamil Nadu is part of Southern Railway of Indian Railways, based in Chennai. As of 2023, the state had a total railway track length of 5,601 kilometers. There are 532 railway stations in the state. Chennai has a well-established suburban railway network, and there is also a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) and Chennai Metro for city travel. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a special railway built by the British in 1908.

Air

Further information: List of airports in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu's aviation history began in 1910. There are three international airports, one with limited international flights, and six domestic or private airports in the state. Chennai airport is the fourth busiest airport in India and is a major gateway to the state. Other international airports include Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli. Domestic flights operate to certain airports, with plans to introduce more flights.

Water

There are three major ports: Chennai, Ennore, and Thoothukudi, managed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. There is an intermediate sea port at Nagapattinam and sixteen other minor ports, managed by the department of highways and minor ports of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is part of both the Eastern Naval Command and Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

Education

Main article: Education in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the most educated states in India, with many people able to read and write. This is partly because of special lunch programs in schools that started a long time ago to help more children go to school. Today, most children in Tamil Nadu finish their secondary education.

The state has many schools and universities. There are government schools, private schools, and many different types of universities, including some of the oldest and most famous in India. Students can study many subjects, from engineering to medicine, and there are also special colleges for arts and science. Libraries and research centers help people learn even more.

Tourism and recreation

Main article: Tourism in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is a beautiful place to visit because of its many different cultures, buildings, and landscapes. In 1971, the leaders of Tamil Nadu created a special group to help bring more visitors to the state and make sure there are good places for tourists to stay and explore. This group is called the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.

Tamil Nadu has long coastlines with many beaches. One of its beaches, Marina Beach, is one of the longest urban beaches in the world. The state also has cool hill stations like Udagamandalam (Ooty) and Kodaikanal. There are many old temples and special places recognized by UNESCO, including the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram and the Great Living Chola Temples.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu loves many sports. Kabaddi is the state's special game, and the Tamil Thalaivas team plays in the Pro Kabaddi League. Chess is very popular too, with Chennai often called "India's chess capital" because of its many strong players, including Viswanathan Anand. The state has also hosted big chess events.

Cricket is the most loved sport here. The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is one of India's oldest cricket stadiums. Chennai is home to the Chennai Super Kings, a very successful team in the Indian Premier League. Football is also enjoyed by many, with Chennaiyin FC representing the state in the Indian Super League. The state has many places to play different sports, including football, athletics, volleyball, basketball, kabaddi, and table tennis. Chennai has hosted international hockey tournaments and events for sailing, rowing, and motor racing. Coimbatore is known for its motor speedway.