South IndiaStateTN
Tamil Nadu
Capital: Chennai
#11
Area Rank
#6
Pop. Rank
80.1%
Literacy
38
Districts
πBasic Information
CapitalChennai
Largest CityChennai
Formation26 January 1950 (as Madras State; renamed Tamil Nadu 1969)
Population7.21 crore (2011)
Area130,058 sq km
LanguagesTamil
Literacy Rate80.1%
Districts38
Major RiversKaveri (Cauvery), Palar, Vaigai, Tamiraparani
πKey GK Facts
- 1.Marina Beach (Chennai) is the world's second longest natural urban beach (~13 km)
- 2.Bharatanatyam β oldest classical dance form β originated here
- 3.Tamil is the oldest classical language in the world (over 2,000 years)
- 4.The largest automobile hub in India β called "Detroit of India" (Chennai)
- 5.Chola dynasty built some of India's greatest temples (Brihadeeswarar)
- 6.Ooty (Udhagamandalam) hill station β known as Queen of Hill Stations
- 7.Longest coastline on the east (Coromandel Coast): ~1,076 km
βFamous For
Dravidian templesMarina Beach (2nd longest)BharatanatyamChennai auto industryNilgiri HillsJallikattu
π―Wildlife & National Parks
- πΏMudumalai National Park
- πΏAnamalai Tiger Reserve
- πΏGulf of Mannar Marine National Park
- πΏKalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Tips
- βBrihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur) built by Raja Raja Chola I β UNESCO site
- βTamil Nadu receives rain from Northeast Monsoon (OctβDec), unlike most states
- βCauvery dispute: Tamil Nadu is lower riparian state β gets less water due to Karnataka dams
π§ Quick Quiz
What is the capital of Tamil Nadu?
When was Tamil Nadu officially formed?