Tamil Nadu

Gateway to South India, Tamil Nadu is known for its beaming beaches, marvelous monuments, temple towers and cozy climate. It bears witness to the histories of the Pallavas, Pandyas, Cheras and the Cholas. Rich in art and culture, the state better known as “land of temples” is a hub of cultural activities.

Demographics

With a population of 62,405,679, Tamil Nadu ranks sixth in India. Nearly 44% of the total population inhabits the urban areas. Tamil Nadu’s population grows at lower rate than that of other populous states in India. Since 1971, it has decreased in every decade. Tamil is the mother tongue for a major part of the total population. Telugu, Urdu, Malayalam and Kannada are other languages that are more or less spoken by different communities. Majority of the population follows Hinduism.

Geography

Tamil Nadu is the southernmost point of the Indian Peninsula. Three sides of the state are surrounded by land and only one side by water. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala lie to the northwest, the north and the west of Tamil Nadu respectively, while The Bay of Bengal lies to the east. Tamil Nadu covers an area of 130058 square kilometers.

Five main physiographic divisions of Tamil Nadu are:

- Kurinji or mountainous region
- Marudham or the fertile plains
- Mullai or forest region
- Palai or arid region
- Neidhal or coastal region

Forests of the Western Ghat hills are denser that that of the Eastern Ghat hills. Montane rain forests of the Western Ghats, dry deciduous forests and thorn scrub forests of the South Deccan and mangrove forests in coastal areas mainly constitute the greenery and vegetation of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is the meeting point of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats running along the western and eastern coastlines of India. These hill areas are rich in plantations of coffee, tea and spices. Yercaud in the Shevaroy hills is known for its coffee plantations and fruit orchards. Palai is a desert like area that is the most arid in the entire district of Tirunelveli.

Climate

Tamil Nadu is favored for its tropical climate. Temperature varies a little from summer to winter. Summer reaches its peak with temperatures around 40 degrees Centigrade during April and June. Winter along with rainfall hangs over the state in the months from November to February. The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is October to March.

Flora and Fauna

Rain forests, deciduous forests, Deccan thorn scrub forests and mangrove forests of Tamil Nadu shelter as many as 3000 plant species such as Eucalyptus, Rubber, Palmyra, Cinchona, Common teak, Indian Laurel, Clumping bamboos, Grewia, Aredesia, Solanancea and Indian labumusum. Rare and precious plants include Dispyros nilagrica, Alsophila, Combretum ovalifolium, Impatiens elegans and Royal fern.

The National Parks, Biosphere Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu are rich in a wide variety of wildlife that ranges in an array of 2000 species. The wilderness of Tamil Nadu is a safe and secure habitat for Elephants, Wild dog, Leopard, Lion-tailed macaques, Gaurs, Tigers, Sloth bears, Nilgiri Tahrs, Nilgiri Langurs, Sambar deer and Grizzled Giant Squirrels.

Major Attractions

Tamil Nadu is one of the most popular tourist destination in India. It is a fascinating collage of wonder temples, cultural heritage, colonial structures, hill stations, enchanting beaches and amazing wildlife. With a palette of historical, architectural, religious and natural artifices and attractions, Tamil Nadu is a never-never land for tourists from across the globe. These include:

- The temple towns like Madurai, Kanchipuram, Trichy, Tanjore, Mahabalipuram and Palani
- Tanjore’s Brihadeswara Temple and Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple with one thousand pillars
- Cultural and religious festivals
- Arts and crafts
- The Marina Beach, the Kanyakumari Beach, the Elliot’s Beach, the Covelong Beach
- Hill stations like Kodaikanal, Kotagiri, Yercuad, Yelagiri, Coonoor and Udagamandalam
- Annamalai and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries

Tips

- Wear decent dresses while visiting religious places
- Carry both the original and Photo copies of documents like passport, airline tickets, and travel visas
- You may need to obtain an International Driving License
- Carry you own driving license with photo as an identity mark