Chennai
45139
225549927
2008-07-14T07:22:07Z
210.212.240.52
/* Demographics */
{{redirect|Madras}}
{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
|native_name = Chennai
|type = multinational
|type_2 = capital
|latd=13.09 |longd=80.27
|locator_position = left
|skyline = Chennai Central .jpg
|skyline_caption = Chennai Central Station
|state_name = Tamil Nadu
|district = • [[Chennai District|Chennai]]<br/> • [[Kanchipuram District|Kanchipuram]]<br/> • [[Tiruvallur District|Tiruvallur]]
|leader_title_1 = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name_1 = [[M. Subramaniam]]
|leader_title_2 = Corporation Commissioner
|leader_name_2 = Rajesh Lakhoni
|altitude = 6
|population_total = 4.34 million
|population_as_of = 2001
|population_rank = 5th
|population_metro = 7.5 million
|population_metro_as_of = 2007
|population_metro_rank = 4th
|population_density = 24418
|area_total = 181.06
|area_total_cite = <ref name="total_area">{{cite web |url=http://www.jnnurm.nic.in/toolkit/CDP_CHENNAI.PDF |format=PDF |title=Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area |publisher=Govt. of India |pages=p.1 |month=April |year=2006 |accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref>
|area_magnitude = 9
|area_metro = 1180
|area_telephone = 91 44
|postal_code = 600 xxx
|vehicle_code_range = TN-01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 10
|unlocode = INMAA
|website = www.chennaicorporation.com
|seal = Chennai Corporation logo.gif
|seal_size = 60px
|seal_caption = Seal of the [[Chennai Corporation|Corporation of Chennai]]
|footnotes =
}}
'''Chennai''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: [[wikt:சென்னை|சென்னை]], formerly [[Indian renaming controversy|known as]] {{audio|Madras.ogg|'''Madras'''}}, is the capital of the [[India]]n [[states and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Located on the [[Coromandel Coast]] of the [[Bay of Bengal]], Chennai has an estimated population of 7.5 million (2007), making it the [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in India|fourth largest]] metropolitan city in India.
The city was established in the 17th century by the British, who developed it into a major urban centre and naval base. By the 20th century, it had become an important administrative centre, as the capital of the [[Madras Presidency]].
Chennai's economy has a broad industrial base in the automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing, and healthcare industries. The city is home to much of India's automobile industry and is the country's second-largest exporter of Software, information technology ([[Information technology|IT]]) and information-technology-enabled services ([[Business process outsourcing#ITES|ITES]]), behind [[Bangalore]]<ref name=itchennai>{{cite news
|title=Chennai emerging as India's Silicon Valley?
|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Chennai_emerging_as_Indias_Silicon_Valley/articleshow/3000410.cms
|work=The Economic Times
|date=[[May 1]], [[2008]]
|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref><ref name=itchennai2>{{cite news
|title=Tamil Nadu software exports to touch Rs 26,000 cr
|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Tamil_Nadu_software_exports_to_touch_Rs_26000_cr/rssarticleshow/2956510.cms
|work=The Economic Times
|date=[[April 16]], [[2008]]
|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref>
<ref name=itchennai3>{{cite news
|title=6 of top 10 IT exporters from Chennai
|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2993068.cms
|work=The Economic Times
|date=[[April 29]], [[2008]]
|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref>
<ref name=itchennai4>{{cite news
|title=Andhra Pradesh emerges as the preferred IT hub in India
|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/ITeS/Andhra_Pradesh_emerges_as_the_preferred_IT_hub_in_India/articleshow/2885028.cms
|work=The Economic Times
|date=[[March 20]], [[2008]]
|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref>. Chennai Zone contributes 39 per cent of the State’s GDP. Chennai accounts for 60 per cent of the country’s automotive exports.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/19/stories/2007101951332300.htm CII launches Chennai zone]</ref>
The city is served by an international airport and two major ports; it is connected to the rest of the country by five national highways and two railway terminals. Thirty-five countries have consulates in Chennai. <ref>According to the Ministry of External Affairs, [[Germany]], [[Japan]], [[Malaysia]], [[the Netherlands]], [[Russia]], [[Singapore]], [[Sri Lanka]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[United States of America]] maintain full diplomatic missions or consular offices in Chennai, while [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Chile]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Greece]], [[Hungary]], [[Iceland]], [[Indonesia]], [[Italy]], [[South Korea]], [[Kyrgyz Republic]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Malawi]], [[Maldives]], [[Mauritius]], [[New Zealand]], [[Norway]], [[Philippines]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]], [[Serbia]], [[Turkey]] and [[Turkmenistan]] maintain honorary consulates.{{cite web | last=Protocol Division, Ministry of External Affairs | title=Mission List | url=http://meaprotocol.nic.in/cgi-bin/db2www/foreignmission.d2w/seDataMis | accessdate=2007-10-04}}.</ref>
Chennai hosts a large cultural event, the annual [[Madras Music Season]], which includes performances by hundreds of artists. The city has a vibrant theatre scene and is an important centre for the [[Bharatanatyam]], a classical dance form. The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film industry, known as ''[[Kollywood]]'', is based in the city; the soundtracks of the movies dominate its music scene. Chennai is known for its sport venues and hosts an Association of Tennis Professionals ([[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]]) event, the [[Chennai Open]]. The city faces problems of water shortages, traffic congestion and air pollution. The state and local governments have undertaken initiatives such as the [[Veeranam]] project, [[Rainwater harvesting]] and the construction of [[Overpass|mini-flyovers]] to address some of these problems.
== Names ==
The name ''Chennai'' is an [[eponym]], [[Etymology|etymologically]] derived from ''Chennapattinam'' or ''Chennapattanam'', the name of the town that grew up around [[Fort St. George]], built by the [[Great Britain|British]] in 1640. There are different versions about the origin of the name. When the British landed here in 1639 A.D. it was said to be part of the empire of the Raja of Chandragiri. The British named it Chennapatnam after they acquired it from Chennappa Nayaka, a [[Vijayanagar]] chieftain. Gradually, the name was shortened to Chennai. The first instance of the use of the name Chennai is said to be in a sale deed dated August 1639 to Francis Day, an agent for the British where there is a reference to Chennaipattinam. <ref name=chendistprofhistory>{{cite web
|title=History
|url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist
|work=District Profile
|publisher=Government of India
|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
Although some believe Chennapattinam was named after the [[Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple]], as the word ''Chenni'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] means face, and the temple was thought of as the face of the city.<ref name=chennatemple>{{cite news
|last = Srinivasan
|first = T.A
|title= Face behind the name
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/02/28/stories/2002022800030400.htm
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[February 28]], [[2002]]
|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
The former name, ''Madras'', is derived from ''Madraspattinam'', a fishing village that lay to the north of [[Fort St. George]]. The origin of the name ''Madraspattinam'' is a subject of disagreement. One theory holds that the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], who arrived in the area in the 16th century, may have named the village ''Madre de Deus''.<ref name=motherofgod>{{cite news
|last = Kurian
|first = Nimi
|title=And the city grew
|url=http://www.hindu.com/yw/2007/08/31/stories/2007083150020100.htm
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[August 31]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> However, historians believe that the village's name came from the once prominent Madeiros family (variously known as ''Madera'' or ''Madra'' in succeeding years), who had consecrated the ''Madre de Deus'' church in [[Santhome]] in 1575 (demolished in 1997). Another theory says that the village was named after an Islamic college (a ''[[madrasa]]'') which was located in the area. After the British gained possession of the area in the 17th century, the two towns, ''Madraspattinam'' and ''Chennapattinam'', eventually merged. The British referred to the united town as ''Madraspattinam'', while the locals preferred to call it ''Chennapattinam''.<ref name=chennapattinam>{{cite web
|title=Chennai History
|url=http://www.chennaicorporation.com/madras_history.htm
|publisher=Corporation of Chennai
|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref>
The city was officially [[Geographical renaming|renamed]] ''Chennai'' in 1996, about the same time that many Indian cities were undergoing name changes. ''Madras'' was seen as a Portuguese name.<ref name=renamed>{{cite news
|last = Tharoor
|first = Sashi
|title=In India's name game, cities are the big losers
|url=http://www.shashitharoor.com/articles/iht/name-game.php
|work=International Herald Tribune
|date=[[September 06]], [[2002]]
|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
== History ==
{{main|History of Chennai}}
[[Image:Chennai History.jpg|thumb|200px|Madras Central Railway Station, 1925]]
The region around Chennai has served as an important administrative, military, and economic centre since the 1st century.<ref name=chendistprofhistory/> It has been ruled by various [[South India]]n dynasties, notably the [[Pallava]], the [[Chola Dynasty|Chola]], the [[Pandyan Kingdom|Pandya]], and [[Vijayanagara|Vijaynagar]].<ref name=chendistprofhistory/> The town of [[Mylapore]], now part of Chennai, was once a major Pallavan port. The [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] arrived in 1522 and built a port called ''São Tomé'' after the Christian apostle, [[Thomas (apostle)|St Thomas]],<ref name=chennapatnam>{{cite web
|title=Chennai History
|url=http://www.chennaicorporation.com/madras_history.htm
|publisher=Corporation of Chennai
|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> who is believed to have preached in the area between 52 and 70 CE. In 1612, the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] established themselves near [[Pulicat]], just north of the city.
On [[22 August]] [[1639]], [[Francis Day of Madras|Francis Day]] of the [[Honourable East India Company|British East India Company]] bought a small strip of land on the [[Coromandel Coast]] from the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara King]], [[Peda Venkata Raya]] in [[Chandragiri]]. The region was ruled by Damerla Venkatapathy, the [[Nayak (title)|Nayak]] of [[Vandavasi]].<ref name=chendistprofhistory/> He granted the British permission to build a factory and warehouse for their trading enterprises. A year later, the British built [[Fort St George]], which became the nucleus of the growing [[Colonialism|colonial]] city.<ref name=chendistprofhistory/> In 1746, Fort St. George and Madras were captured by the French under General [[Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais|La Bourdonnais]], the Governor of [[Mauritius]], who plundered the town and its outlying villages.<ref name=chennapatnam/> The British regained control in 1749 through the [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]] and fortified the town's fortress wall to withstand further attacks from the French and another looming threat, [[Hyder Ali]], the [[Sultan]] of [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]]. By the late 18th century, the British had conquered most of the region around Tamil Nadu and the northern modern-day states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Karnataka]], establishing the [[Madras Presidency]] with Madras as the capital.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia
|title=Madras, India (Capital)
|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Madras,_India_(Capital)
|encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Brittanica
|edition = eleventh edition
|year = 1911
|accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> Under British rule, the city grew into a major urban centre and naval base.
[[Image:Victoria Public Hall, Chennai.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[Victoria Public Hall]] at [[Park Town, Chennai]] - one of the finest examples of British architecture in the city]]
With the advent of [[Rail transport in India|railways in India]] in the late 19th century, the thriving urban centre was connected to other important cities such as [[Bombay]] and [[Calcutta]], promoting increased communication and trade with the hinterland. Madras was briefly under Portuguese and French rule during 16th & 18th century.
Madras was the only Indian city to be attacked by the [[Central Powers]] during [[World War I]], when an oil depot was shelled by the German [[light cruiser]] [[SMS Emden (1906)|SMS Emden]] on [[September 22]] [[1914]], as it raided shipping lanes in the [[Indian Ocean]], causing disruption to shipping.<ref name=emdenshelling>{{cite book
|last = Playne
|first = Somerset
|coauthors = J.W. Bond, Arnold Wright
|title=Southern India: Its History, People, Commerce and Industrial resources
|publisher=Foreign and Colonial Compiling and Publishing Company, London
|year = 1914
|pages = pp. 51–52
|isbn = 8120613449
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8WNEcgMr11kC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=emden+madras&source=web&ots=0h2YB7VQQ5&sig=86eYW0hrXCo7pUNVZcQvfTb4PQw#PPA51,M1
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> After [[Indian independence movement|India gained its independence]] in 1947, the city became the capital of [[Madras State]], renamed the state of Tamil Nadu in 1969. The violent [[Anti-Hindi agitations|agitations of 1965]] against the imposition of [[Hindi]] as the national language, marked a major shift in the [[Politics of Tamil Nadu|political dynamics]] of the city and the whole state.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Guha
|first = Ramachandra
|title=Hindi against India
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=[[January 16]], [[2005]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/01/16/stories/2005011600260300.htm
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref>
In 2004, an [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|Indian Ocean tsunami]] lashed the shores of Chennai, killing many and permanently altering the coastline.<ref>{{cite journal
|last = Altaff
|first = K
|coauthors = J. Sugumaran, Md. S. Naveed
|title=Impact of tsunami on meiofauna of Marina beach, Chennai, India
|journal = Current Science
|volume = 89
|issue = 1
|date=[[July 10]], [[2005]]
|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jul102005/34.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref><!--clarify this sentence-->
==Geography and climate==
{{Main|Geography of Chennai}}
{{seealso|List of neighbourhoods in Chennai|Flora and fauna of Chennai}}
[[Image:Chennai.satmap.annotated.jpg|thumb|Chennai is on a flat [[coastal plain]], as shown on this [[Landsat 7]] map.]]
Chennai is on the southeast coast of India in the northeast of [[Tamil Nadu]] on a flat coastal plain known as the [[Eastern Coastal Plains]]. Its average elevation is around 6.7 metres (20 ft),<ref>{{cite web
|title=Geographical and physical features
|work=District Profile
|publisher=Govt of India
|url=http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#geog
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> and its highest point is 60 m (200 ft).<ref name='highest-point'>{{cite journal
|last = Pulikesi
|first = M
|coauthors = P. Baskaralingam, D. Elango, V.N. Rayudu, V. Ramamurthi, S. Sivanesan
|title=Air quality monitoring in Chennai, India, in the summer of 2005
|journal = Journal of Hazardous Materials
|volume = 136
|issue = 3
|pages = 589–596
|date=[[August 25]], [[2006]]
|accessdate=2007-10-04
|quote=Chennai is fairly low-lying, its highest point being only 300 metres (934 ft)above sea level is a rugged barren hill opposite to the Airport called Pallavapuram Hill.
|doi = 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.12.039}}</ref> The [[Marina Beach]] runs for 12 km along the shoreline of the city. Two rivers meander through Chennai, the [[Cooum River]] (or ''Koovam'') through the centre and the [[Adyar River]] to the south. A third river, the Kortalaiyar, flows through the northern fringes of the city before draining into the sea at Ennore. Adyar and Cooum rivers are heavily polluted with [[effluent]]s and [[waste]] from domestic and commercial sources. The state government periodically removes [[silt]] and [[pollution]] from the [[Adyar]], which is much less polluted than the Cooum. A protected [[estuary]] on the Adyar forms a natural [[habitat]] for several species of birds and animals.<ref name="adyarestuary1">{{cite news
|last = Baskaran
|first = Theodore S
|title=Death of an Estuary
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[January 12]], [[2003]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2003/01/12/stories/2003011200110200.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref><ref name="adyarestuary2">{{cite news
|last = Doraisamy
|first = Vani
|title=A breather for the Adyar estuary
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[October 31]], [[2005]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/31/stories/2005103106660500.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref> The [[Buckingham Canal]], 4 km (3 miles) inland, runs parallel to the coast, linking the two rivers. The [[Otteri Nullah]], an east-west stream, runs through north Chennai and meets the [[Buckingham Canal]] at [[Basin Bridge]]. Several lakes of varying size are located on the western fringes of the city. [[Red Hills Lake|Red Hills]], [[Sholavaram Lake|Sholavaram]] and [[Chembarambakkam Lake]] supply Chennai with [[Drinking water|potable water]]. [[Groundwater]] sources are becoming [[Brackish water|brackish]].<ref>{{cite news
|last = Lakshmi
|first = K
|title=It's no cola, it's the water supplied in Korattur
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[July 13]], [[2004]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/13/stories/2004071312840300.htm
|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref>
Chennai's [[soil]] is mostly [[clay]], [[shale]] and [[sandstone]].<ref name=rainwaterharvesting.org>{{cite web
|title=Practices and Practitioners
|work=Technology
|url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Urban/Practices-and-practitioners.htm
|publisher=Centre for Science and Environment
|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref> <!-- The city is classified into three regions based on geology, sandy areas, clayey areas and hard-rock areas. --> Sandy areas are found along the river banks and coasts, such as [[Tiruvanmiyur]], [[Adyar]], [[Kottivakkam]], [[Santhome]], [[George Town]], [[Tondiarpet]] and the rest of coastal Chennai. Here rainwater [[Surface runoff|runoff]] [[Percolation|percolates]] quickly through the soil. Clay underlies most of the city including [[T. Nagar]], [[West Mambalam]], [[Anna Nagar]], [[Perambur]] and [[Virugambakkam]]. Areas of hard [[Rock (geology)|rock]] include [[Guindy]], [[Velachery]], [[Adambakkam]] and a part of [[Saidapet]].<ref name=rain_water_harvesting_TN_gov>{{cite news
|title=A ready reckoner on rainwater harvesting
|work=The New Indian Express
|date=[[August 11]], [[2003]]
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/pressclippings/archives/pc2003/newindpress/newindpress11082003.htm
|accessdate=2005-08-05}}</ref>
{{climate chart
|Chennai
|19.5|30|36
|20|31|10
|22|33|7
|26|35|15
|28|38.5|26
|27|38|37
|26|36|91
|26|35|116
|26|34|119
|24|32|306
|22|30|355
|20.5|29|138
|source=Nirvana Tour<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nirvanatour.de/india/clima.html
|title=Temperature and Rainfall chart |publisher=Nirvana Tour|accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref>
|float=right
}}
Chennai is divided into four parts: North, Central, South and West. North Chennai is primarily an industrial area. Central Chennai is the commercial heart of the city and includes an important business district, [[Parry's Corner]]. South Chennai and West Chennai, previously mostly residential, are fast becoming commercial, home to a growing number of [[information technology]] firms, financial companies and [[call centre]]s. The city is expanding quickly along the [[Old Mahabalipuram Road]] and the Grand Southern Trunk Road ([[Grand Southern Trunk Road|GST Road]]) in the south and towards [[Ambattur]], [[Koyambedu]] and [[Sriperumbudur|Sriperumbdur]] in the west.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Structure of Chennai
|work=Second Master Plan - II
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|pages = pp. II–9, II–10, II–11, II–15
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org/pdfs/SMP/B_Chap%20II%20_Structure%20of%20Chennai.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref> Chennai is one of the few cities in the world that accommodates a [[national park]], the [[Guindy National Park]], within its limits.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Guindy National Park
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gnp.html
|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref>
Chennai lies on the [[thermal equator]] and is also coastal, which prevents extreme variation in seasonal temperature. For most of the year, the weather is hot and humid. The hottest part of the year is late May and early June, known locally as ''Agni Nakshatram'' ("fire star") or as ''Kathiri Veyyil'',<ref>{{cite news
|last = Ramakrishnan
|first = T
|title=Hot spell may continue for some more weeks in the State
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[May 18]], [[2005]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/18/stories/2005051813790700.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> with maximum temperatures around 38–42 °C (100–107 °F). The coolest part of the year is January, with minimum temperatures around 19–20 °C (66–68 °F). The lowest temperature recorded is 15.8 °C (60.44 °F) and highest 45 °C (113 °F).<ref name=Singapore-temp>{{cite web
|title=Climate of India
|work=National Environment Agency – Singapore
|url=http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1111
|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref><ref name=hightemp>{{cite news
|title=Highest temperature
|work=The Hindu
|date= [[May 31]], [[2003]]
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/05/31/stories/2003053104790101.htm
|accessdate=2007-04-25}}</ref> The average annual rainfall is about 1,300 mm (51 inches). The city gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east [[monsoon]] winds, from mid-September to mid-December. [[Cyclone]]s in the Bay of Bengal sometimes hit the city. Highest annual rainfall recorded is 2,570 mm (101 in) in 2005.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Ramakrishnan
|first = T
|title=Entering 2006, city's reservoirs filled to the brim
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[January 3]], [[2006]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/03/stories/2006010315310300.htm
|accessdate=2007-05-04}}</ref> The most prevailing winds in Chennai are the South-westerly between May and September and the North-easterly during the rest of the year.
== Administration and utility services ==
{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="200" style="margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%"
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#cccccc" align="center" | '''City officials, as of September 2007'''<ref>{{cite web
|title=Who's who
|work=About COC
|publisher=Corporation of Chennai
|url=http://www.chennaicorporation.com/aboutcoc/whoswho.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title=Chennai City Police
|publisher=Tamil Nadu Police
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/telephone/hod/hodPage57.html
|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref>
|-
| width="15%" | '''[[Mayor]]'''
| Ma. Subramanian
|-
| '''[[Deputy Mayor]]'''
| R. Sathya Bama
|-
| '''[[Corporation Commissioner]]'''
| Rajesh Lakhoni
|-
| '''[[Commissioner of Police]]'''
| R. Sekar
|}
{{mainarticle|Administration of Chennai}}
{{See also|Chennai architecture|Subdivisions of India}}
Chennai city is governed by the [[Chennai Corporation|Corporation of Chennai]], consisting of 155 [[councillors]] who represent [[List of Chennai Corporation wards|155 wards]] and are directly elected by the city's residents. From among themselves, the councillors elect a mayor and a deputy mayor who preside over about six standing committees.<ref name=corp>{{cite web
|title=Executive Chart
|work=About COC
|publisher=Corporation of Chennai
|url=http://www.chennaicorporation.com/aboutcoc/org-chart.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state, houses the state [[executive (government)|executive]] and [[Legislature|legislative]] headquarters primarily in the Secretariat Buildings on the [[Fort St George|Fort St George]] campus but also in many other buildings scattered around the city. The [[Madras High Court]], whose jurisdiction extends across [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry]], is the highest [[judicial]] authority in the state and is also in the city. Chennai has three [[Parliament of India|parliamentary]] constituencies—Chennai North, Chennai Central and Chennai South—and elects 18 Members of the Legislative Assembly ([[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]]) to the state legislature.
[[Image:Gcp patrol car.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Chennai Metropolitan Police Patrol]]
The metropolitan region of Chennai covers many suburbs that are part of [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Thiruvallur]] districts. The larger suburbs are governed by town municipalities, and the smaller ones are governed by town councils called [[Panchayati Raj|panchayats]]. While the city covers an area of 174 km² (67 mi²),<ref name=cityarea>{{cite web
|title=General statistics
|publisher=Corporation of Chennai
|url=http://www.chennaicorporation.com/general_stats.htm
|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref> the metropolitan area is spread over 1,189 km² (458 mi²).<ref name=metroarea>{{cite web
|title= Chennai Metropolitan Area - Profile
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org
|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> The [[Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority]] ([[Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority|CMDA]]) has drafted a Second Master Plan that aims to develop satellite townships around the city. Contiguous satellite towns include [[Mahabalipuram]] to the south, [[Chingleput|Chengalpattu]] and [[Maraimalai Nagar]] to the southwest, and [[Kanchipuram]] town, [[Sriperumbudur|Sriperumpudur]], [[Tiruvallur]] and [[Arakkonam]] to the west.
The [[Greater Chennai Police]] department, a division of the [[Tamil Nadu Police]], is the law enforcement agency in the city. The city police force is headed by a [[Police commissioner|commissioner of police]], and administrative control rests with the Tamil Nadu Home Ministry. The department consists of 36 subdivisions with a total of 121 police stations, of which 15 are [[ISO 9001]]:2000 certified.<ref name=iso>*{{cite web
|title=Chennai Police ISO 9001:2000
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051218080442/http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr290705/pr290705.htm
|accessdate=2005-08-09}}</ref> The city's traffic is managed by the [[Chennai City Traffic Police]] (CCTP). The Metropolitan suburbs are policed by the [[Greater Chennai Police|Chennai Metropolitan Police]], and outer district areas are policed by the Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur police departments.
[[Image:Ripon Building panorama.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Ripon Building, which houses the [[Chennai Corporation]], was completed 1913. It is named after former [[viceroy]] [[Lord Ripon]].]]
The Corporation of Chennai and municipalities of the suburbs provide civic services. Garbage in most zones is handled by ''JBM Fanalca Environment Management'', a private company, and by the [[Chennai Corporation]] in the other zones. Water supply and sewage treatment are handled by the [[Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board]], popularly referred to as ''Metro Water''. Electricity is supplied by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]].<ref>{{cite web
|title=Emergency and Utility Services Contact Details at Chennai
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|url=http://chennai.nic.in/emergency.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-07}}</ref> The city's telephone service is provided by six mobile phone companies and four landline companies,<ref>{{cite press release
|title=Information note to the Press (Press Release No.71/2007)
|language = English
|publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
|date=[[August 24]], [[2007]]
|url=http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/486/pr24aug07no71.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}, Annexure I lists these six entities as the licensed cellular operators for the Chennai circle. The [[CDMA]] Development Group's official website lists [[Tata Teleservices]] and [[Reliance Communications]] as the only operators to have deployed [[CDMA]] on cellular systems in India. {{cite web
|title=CDMA Worldwide: Deployment search - Asia-Pacific
|publisher=CDMA Development Group
|url=http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=1
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Narayanan
|first = R.Y
|title=[[Touchtel]] arrives in [[Coimbatore]]
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=[[September 5]], [[2002]]
|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/09/05/stories/2002090502151700.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-07}}</ref> which also provide broadband Internet access, along with [[Sify]] and [[Hathway]].
Historically, Chennai has relied on annual [[monsoon]] rains to replenish water [[reservoir]]s, as no major rivers flow through the area. Steadily growing in population, the city has faced [[water supply]] [[Water crisis|shortages]], and its ground water levels have been depleted. An earlier [[Veeranam|Veeranam Lake project]] failed to solve the city's water problems, but the New Veeranam project, which became operational in September 2004, has greatly reduced dependency on distant sources.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Management of water supply during acute water scarcity in 2003 & 2004
|work=Operations and maintenance
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board
|url=http://www.chennaimetrowater.com/engg/operationmaintenance/cmwdrw04.htm
|accessdate=2007-03-16}}</ref> In recent years, heavy and consistent monsoon rains and [[rainwater harvesting]] (RWH) by Chennai Metrowater at its [[Anna Nagar]] Rain Centre have significantly reduced water shortages.<ref name=hindu_rwh_bangalore>{{cite news
|last = Lakshmi
|first = K
|title=Bangalore team visits RWH structures in city
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[August 3]], [[2007]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/03/stories/2007080360510500.htm
|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref> Moreover, newer projects like the [[Telugu Ganga project]] that bring water from water-surplus rivers like the [[Krishna River]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]] have eased water shortages. The city is constructing sea water [[desalination]] plants to further increase the water supply.<ref>{{cite news
|title=IVRCL to set up desalination plant near Chennai
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[August 12]], [[2005]]
|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081202820300.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Radhakrishnan
|first = R.K
|title=Preliminary work on desalination plant to be completed by December-end
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[September 4]], [[2007]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/04/stories/2007090460440400.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref>
== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Chennai}}
{{seealso|List of Tech Parks in Chennai}}
[[Image:DSC00390.JPG|thumb|220px|[[Parry's Corner]], one of the older business districts in Chennai]]
Chennai has a diversified economic base anchored by the automobile, software services, hardware manufacturing, healthcare and financial services industries.<ref>{{cite news
|last = O'Connor
|first = Ashling
|title=Hotspot for international manufacturers
|work=The Times
|date=[[September 13]], [[2007]]
|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/india/article2441910.ece
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> As of 2000, the city's [[total personal income]] was [[Indian rupee|Rs]]. 12,488.83 [[crores]], making up 10.9% of the total income of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Economy
|work=Second Master Plan - II
|pages = p. III-8
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org/pdfs/SMP/C_Chapt%20%20III_%20Economy.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> In 2001, the total workforce in Chennai was about 1.5 million, which was 31.79% of its population. According to the 1991 census, most of the city's workforce was involved in trade (25.65%), manufacturing (23.52%), transportation (10.72%), construction (6.3%) and other services (31.8%). Chennai metropolitan area accounts for over 75% of the sales tax revenue in the state.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Economy
|work=Second Master Plan - II
|pages = pp. III-14, III-19, III-20
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org/pdfs/SMP/C_Chapt%20%20III_%20Economy.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref>
The city is base to around 30% of India's automobile industry<ref name=autoindustry_share>{{cite journal
|last = Sivalingam
|first = T
|coauthors = Bhaskaran, E
|title=IT applications in Automotive Industry
|journal = GCMM 2004 first international conference on manufacturing and management
|pages = p. 20
|year = 2004
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=v4Tm1of3UEcC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=chennai+auto+components+industry&source=web&ots=tZMboJRII1&sig=k-lIb8u4MOywl1t6Nx8Cn0ewQ1I#PPA20,M1
|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> and 35% of its auto components industry.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Automotive Components
|publisher=Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India
|url=http://dsir.nic.in/reports/ExpTechTNKL/Abs%20new/Automotive_Components.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> A large number of automotive companies including [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[BMW]], [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]], The TVS Group ([[TVS]]), [[Ashok Leyland]], [[Nissan]]-[[Renault]], [[TI Cycles of India]], [[TAFE Tractors]], [[Royal Enfield]], [[Caterpillar Inc.]], [[Caparo]] and Madras Rubber Factory ([[Madras Rubber Factory|MRF]]), have manufacturing plants in and around Chennai. The [[Heavy Vehicles Factory]] at [[Avadi]] produces military vehicles, including India's main battle tank: ''[[Arjun MBT]]''. The [[Integral Coach Factory]] manufactures railway coaches and other rolling stock for Indian Railways. This very industrial expanse has given the name to Chennai as being the "Detroit of Southern Asia".<ref name=Integral_Coach_Factory>{{cite web
|title=Profile
|publisher=Integral Coach Factory
|url=http://www.icf.gov.in
|accessdate=2005-11-19}}</ref> The [[Ambattur#Ambattur Industrial Estate|Ambattur-Padi industrial zone]] houses many textile manufacturers, and an SEZ for apparel and footwear manufacture has been set up in the southern suburbs of the city.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Ravi Kumar
|first = N
|title=Mahindra City, a world of its own
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[December 3]], [[2004]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/03/stories/2004120310000400.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref> Chennai contributes more than 50% of India's leather exports.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area
|publisher=Govt. of India
|pages = p. 13
|url=http://www.jnnurm.nic.in/toolkit/CDP_CHENNAI.PDF
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref>
[[Image:Tidel Park.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Tidel Park]] is one of the many software parks in Chennai.]]
The city is an electronics manufacturing hub where multinational corporations like [[Dell]], [[Nokia]], [[Motorola]], [[Samsung Group|Samsung]], [[Flextronics]] and [[Foxconn]] have set up electronics and hardware manufacturing plants, mainly in the [[Sriperumbudur]] [[Special Economic Zone]] ([[SEZ]]). Many software and software services companies have development centres in Chennai, which contributed 14% of India's total software exports of Rs.144,214 crores during 2006–07, making it the second-largest exporter of software in the country, behind [[Bangalore]].<ref name=Nasscom>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=299725 |title=
IT in India: Big successes, large gaps to be filled|author=Jairam Ramesh|work=Online Edition of The Business Standard, dated 2007-09-30|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> Prominent financial institutions, including the [[World Bank]], [[HSBC]], [[Citi bank]] have [[back office]] operations in the city.<ref>{{cite news
|title=BPOs: Chennai most preferred
|publisher=Sify.com
|date=[[March 1]], [[2005]]
|url=http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13683363
|accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref> Chennai is home to three large national level commercial banks<ref name="Indian-Bank"> {{cite web
|url=http://www.indianbank.in/BranchAddress.htm
|title=Indian Bank Head Office
|publisher=Indian Bank
|accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref name="IOB">{{cite news
|last = Muthiah
|first = S
|title= The bank in a 'palace' grounds
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[October 1]], [[2003]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/01/stories/2003100100320300.htm
|accessdate=2007-10-13}}</ref><ref name="BOB">{{cite web
|title=Branch Network
|publisher=Bharat Overseas Bank Bank
|url=http://www.bharatoverseasbank.com/branch.asp
|accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> and many state level co-operative banks, finance and insurance companies. Some of India's well-known healthcare institutions such as [[Apollo Hospitals]] (the largest private healthcare provider in Asia),<ref>{{cite web
|title=Medical Tourism
|publisher=Apollo Hospitals
|url=http://www.apollohospdelhi.com/medical-tourism.html
|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref> [[Sankara Nethralaya]] and [[Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute|Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre]] are based in the city, making it one of the preferred destinations for [[Medical tourism|medical tourists]] from across the globe.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Indian State: Tamil Nadu
|publisher=Govt of India
|url=http://www.indiainbusiness.nic.in/know-india/states/tamilnadu.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref> Telecom giants [[Ericsson]] and [[Alcatel-Lucent]], pharmaceuticals giant [[Pfizer]] and chemicals giant [[Dow Chemical Company|Dow Chemicals]] have research and development facilities in Chennai. TICEL bio-tech park<ref name="ticel-park">{{cite web
|title=List of clients
|publisher=TICEL Bio Park
|url=http://www.ticelbiopark.com/clients.html
|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> and Golden Jubilee bio-tech park<ref name="golden-jubilee-park">{{cite web
|title=Existing units
|publisher=Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society
|url=http://www.biotechpark.com/existingunits.html
|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061206184412/http://www.biotechpark.com/existingunits.html
|archivedate=2006-12-06
|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> at [[Siruseri]] house biotechnology companies and laboratories. Chennai has a fully computerised stock exchange called the [[Madras Stock Exchange]].
== Demographics ==
[[Image:Chennai Shopping.jpg|thumb|Ranganathan Street in [[T.Nagar]] is usually packed with pedestrian shoppers.]]
A resident of Chennai is called a ''Chennaiite''. As of 2001, Chennai city had a population of 4.34 million, while the total metropolitan population was 7.04 million.<ref name="masterplan_popfigs">{{cite web
|title=Demography
|work=Second Master Plan - II
|pages = pp. I-5, I-10
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org/pdfs/SMP/A_Chap%20I%20_Demography.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-06}} The population density for Chennai city and the metropolitan area have been calculated using the population figures and the total area of the respective regions, mentioned in the Second Master Plan. The conversion rate of {{convert|1|mi|km|0|sing=on}} = 1.609 km. has been used to compute the density per sq. mile.</ref> The estimated metropolitan population in 2006 is 4.5 million.<ref name='Hindu-CMDA'>{{cite news
|last=Srivasthan
|first=A
|title= New land use proposals mooted in draft Master Plan
|date=[[April 12]], [[2007]]
|url =http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041213350400.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> In 2001, the [[population density]] in the city was 24,682 per km² (9,534 per mi²), while the population density of the metropolitan area was 5,922 per km² (2,287 mi²), making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world.<ref name="masterplan_popfigs"/><ref>{{cite web
|title=Urban Areas by Population Density
|work=World Urban Areas (World Agglomerations)
|pages = p. 77
|month = March
|year = 2007
|publisher=[[Demographia]]
|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-10-09}} In terms of population density, Chennai was ranked 51st among all urban agglomerations in the world with over 500,000 people.</ref> The [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] is 951 females for every 1,000 males,<ref name='sex-ratio-nic'>{{cite web
|title=Census 2001 Data
|work=Census of India
|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu
|url=http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#CENSUS
|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> slightly higher than the national average of 934.<ref name=CIA_World_Factbook>{{cite web | title= India| work=CIA World Factbook | url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref> The average literacy rate is 80.14%,<ref name=literacy>{{cite web
|title=Districts performance on Literacy Rate in Tamil Nadu for the year 2001
|work=Department of school education
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/statistics/table7and8.htm
|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref> much higher than the national average of 64.5%. The city has the fourth highest population of slum dwellers among major cities in India, with about 820,000 people (18.6% of its population) living in slum conditions.<ref name=slum>{{cite web
|title=Slum Population – Census 2001
|publisher=The Government of India
|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/slum/Intro_slum.pdf
|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070621135109/http://www.censusindia.net/results/slum/Intro_slum.pdf
|archivedate=2007-06-21
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-03-08}}</ref> This number represents about 5% of the total slum population of India. In 2005, the crime rate in the city was 313.3 per 100,000 people, accounting for 6.2% of all crimes reported in major cities in India.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://ncrb.nic.in/crime2005/cii-2005/Table%201.6.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-09-19
|title=Incidence & Rate Of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) In States, UTs & Cities During 2005
|publisher=Govt. of India}}</ref> The number of crimes in the city showed a significant increase of 61.8% from 2004.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://ncrb.nic.in/crime2005/cii-2005/CHAP2.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2007-09-19
|title=Crimes in Mega Cities
|work=Crime In India – 2005
|publisher=Govt. of India}}</ref>
The majority of the population in Chennai are [[Tamil people|Tamils]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] is the primary language spoken in Chennai. [[Indian English|English]] is widely spoken especially in business, education and [[white collar]] professions. Sizeable [[Telugu people|Telugu]] and [[Malayalee]] communities live in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chennai-online.in/Profile/Culture/ |title=Chennai Culture | publisher=chennai-online.in |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> Chennai also has a large migrant population, who come from other parts of Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country. As of 2001, out of the 937,000 migrants (21.57% of its population) in the city, 74.5% were from other parts of the state, 23.8% were from rest of India and 1.7% were from outside the country.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cmdachennai.org/pdfs/SMP/A_Chap%20I%20_Demography.pdf
|format=PDF
|title=Demography
|work=Second Master Plan - II
|pages = pp. I-11
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref>
According to the 2001 census, [[Hindus]] constitute about 82.27% of the city's population, and [[Muslims]] (8.37%), [[Christians]] (7.63%) and [[Jains]] (1.05%) are other major religious groups.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/shb-pdf/SHB001%20-%20AREA%20POPULATION.pdf |format=PDF
|title=Area and Population
|publisher=Govt of Tamil Nadu
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref>
== Culture ==
[[Image:Bharatanatyam 16.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A traditional [[Bharata natyam]] performance]]
{{main|Culture of Chennai|Cuisine of Chennai}}
{{See also|Tamil cuisine}}
Chennai's culture reflects its diverse population. The city is known for its classical dance shows and Hindu temples. Every December, Chennai holds a five-week long ''[[Madras Music Season|Music Season]]'' celebrating the 1927 opening of the [[Madras Music Academy]].<ref name=Music_season>{{cite news
|title=Music musings
|work=The Hindu
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/03/stories/2005020301281000.htm
|date=[[February 3]], [[2005]]
|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref> It features performances (''kutcheries'') of traditional [[Carnatic music]] by hundreds of artists in and around the city. An arts festival called the [[Chennai Sangamam]], which showcases various arts of Tamil Nadu is held in January every year. Chennai is also known for [[Bharatanatyam]], a classical dance form that originated in [[Tamil Nadu]]. An important cultural centre for [[Bharatanatyam]] is [[Kalakshetra]], on the beach in the south of the city.<ref>{{cite news
|author=GR
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/12/02/stories/0902033h.htm
|title=Yearning for Chennai ambience
|accessdate=2007-09-07
|date=[[December 2]], [[2000]]
|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
Chennai is the base for the large Tamil movie industry, dubbed ''[[Kollywood]]'' after [[Kodambakkam]], home to most of the movie studios.<ref>{{cite book
|last = Ellens
|first = Dan
|coauthors = Lakshmi Srinivas
|title=A Time for India
|publisher=Vantage Press Inc., New York
|year = 2006
|pages = p. 150
|isbn = 0533150922
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6Nsyr3J1fpIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=kollywood#PPA150,M1
|accessdate=2007-09-07}}</ref> The industry makes more than 150 Tamil movies a year,<ref>{{cite book
|last = Ganti
|first = Tejaswini
|title=Bollywood: A Guidebook To Popular Hindi Cinema
|publisher=Routledge, London
|date=2004
|pages = p. 3
|isbn = 0415288541
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=GTEa93azj9EC&pg=PA3&dq=tamil+films+per+year&sig=Q9a_mC8aqRjWWyxHaHpsbCV6xuE
|accessdate=2007-09-07}}</ref> and its soundtracks dominate the city's music. Chennai's theatres stage many Tamil plays; political satire, slapstick comedy, history, mythology and drama are among the popular genres.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Ramesh
|first = V
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/17/stories/2003071700060100.htm
|title=The Sultan of sarcasm
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[July 17]], [[2003]]
|accessdate=2007-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Ashok Kumar
|first = S.R
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/11/stories/2006011115150700.htm
|title=Actor R.S. Manohar dead
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[January 11]], [[2006]]
|accessdate=2007-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Kumar
|first = Ranee
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/10/stories/2003121000390100.htm
|title=Laughter, the best medicine
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[December 10]], [[2003]]
|accessdate=2007-09-22}}</ref> English plays are also staged in the city.
Among Chennai's festivals, [[Pongal]], celebrated over five days in January, is the most important. Tamil New Year's Day, signifying the beginning of the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil year]], usually falls on [[April 14]]. Almost all major religious festivals such as [[Diwali|Deepavali]], [[Eid ul-Fitr|Eid]] and [[Christmas]] are celebrated in Chennai. Tamil cuisine in Chennai includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Many of the city's restaurants offer light meals or [[tiffin]], which usually include rice-based dishes like [[Pongal (dish)|pongal]], [[dosa]]i, [[idli]] and [[vada]]i, served with steaming hot [[Indian filter coffee|filter coffee]].
== Transport ==
{{main|Transport in Chennai}}
[[Image:Tidel_Park_junction_panorama.jpg|thumb|330px|The IT Highway in Chennai with the [[MRTS]] passing overhead.]]
The [[Chennai International Airport]], comprising the Anna international terminal and the Kamaraj domestic terminal, is the third busiest airport in India.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://aai.aero/traffic_news/jun2k7annex3.pdf
|format=PDF
|publisher=[[Airports Authority of India]]
|title=Traffic statistics - Passengers (Intl+Domestic), Annexure IIIC
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://aai.aero/traffic_news/jun2k7annex2.pdf
|format=PDF
|publisher=Airports Authority of India
|title=Traffic statistics - Aircraft movements (Intl+Domestic), Annexure IIC
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> The city is connected to major hubs in [[South Asia]], [[South East Asia]], [[East Asia]], the [[Middle East]], [[Europe]] and [[North America]] through more than 30 national and international carriers. The airport is the second busiest cargo terminus in the country. The existing airport is undergoing further modernisation and expansion, and a new greenfield airport is to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore in [[Sriperumbudur]].<ref name=New_Airport>{{cite news
|title=New greenfield airport to be set up near Chennai
|work=The Hindu
|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200705221441.htm
|date=[[May 22]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>
The city is served by two major ports, [[Chennai Port]], one of the largest [[artificial ports]], and [[Ennore Port]]. The Chennai port is India's second busiest container hub, handling automobiles, motorcycles and general industrial cargo. The [[Ennore Port]] handles cargo such as [[coal]], [[ore]] and other bulk and rock mineral products.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://app.mfa.gov.sg/pr/read_content.asp?View,4753,
|publisher=Business Times
|title=Gateway to India for Singapore firms
|date=[[July 6]], [[2006]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> A smaller harbour at [[Royapuram]] is used by local fishing boats and trawlers.
[[Image:Chentrain.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[Mass Rapid Transit System (Chennai)|MRTS]] Train station in Chennai]]
Chennai is well connected to other parts of [[India]] by road and rail. Five major [[Expressways of India|national highways]] radiate outward towards [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Tiruchirapalli|Trichy]], [[Tiruvallur]] and [[Pondicherry]].<ref name=transport>{{cite web | title= GIS database for Chennai city roads and strategies for improvement | publisher=Geospace Work Portal | url=http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/Utility/transport/utilitytr0001.htm|accessdate=2005-08-04}}</ref> The [[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus]] ([[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus|CMBT]]), the terminus for all intercity buses from Chennai, is the largest bus station in [[Asia]].<ref name="thehindu20051228">{{cite news
|last = Dorairaj
|first = S
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/28/stories/2005122816740400.htm
|work=The Hindu
|title=Koyambedu bus terminus gets ISO certification
|date=[[December 28]], [[2005]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> Seven government-owned transport corporations operate inter-city and inter-state bus services. Many private inter-city and inter-state bus companies also operate services to and from Chennai.
The city has two main railway terminals. [[Chennai Central]] station, the city's largest, provides access to trains to major cities like [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Bangalore]], [[Delhi]], [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], [[Kochi]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and [[Coimbatore]] as well as to smaller towns across India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southernrailway.org/sutt/arr-dep.php|title=Sub-urban Train timings|publisher=Indian Railways|accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref> [[Chennai Egmore]] is a terminus for trains traveling primarily within Tamil Nadu; it also handles a few inter-state trains.<ref name='egmore-trains'>{{cite news
|title=35 trains to run at higher speed
|date=[[August 27]], [[2004]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/28/stories/2004082807870500.htm
|work=The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref>
Buses, trains, and [[auto rickshaw]]s are the most common form of [[public transport]] within the city.
[[Image:ChennaiMTC.JPG|thumb|200px|One of the newer [[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|MTC]] buses]]
The [[Chennai suburban railway]] network consists of four [[broad gauge]] rail sectors terminating at two locations in the city, namely [[Chennai Central]] and [[Chennai Beach]]. Regular services are offered in the following sectors from these terminii: [[Chennai Central]]/[[Chennai Beach]] - [[Arakkonam]] - [[Tiruttani]], [[Chennai Central]]/[[Chennai Beach]] – [[Gummidipoondi]] - [[Sullurpeta]] and [[Chennai Beach]] – [[Tambaram]] - [[Chingleput|Chengalpattu]] - Tirumalpur([[Kanchipuram]]). The fourth sector is an elevated [[Mass Rapid Transit System]] ([[Mass Rapid Transit System (Chennai)|MRTS]]) which links [[Chennai Beach]] to [[Velachery]] and is interlinked with the remaining rail network. The city has plans for an underground [[Chennai Metro|Metro]].<ref name="hindumetrorail">{{cite news
|first = Gaurav Vivek
|last = Bhatnagar
|title=Chennai metro back on track
|date=[[August 22]], [[2006]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082206160500.htm
|work=The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04 }}</ref>
The [[Metropolitan Transport Corporation]] ([[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|MTC]]) runs an extensive city bus system consisting of 3,093 buses on 617 routes and transports an estimated 4 million passengers daily.<ref name=mtc_details>{{cite web
|title=The Growth
|publisher=Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd
|url=http://www.mtcbus.org/
|date=[[May 31]], [[2008]]
|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref>
Vans, popularly known as ''Maxi Cabs'' and 'share' auto rickshaws ply many routes in the city and provide an alternative to buses. Metered call [[taxi cab|taxis]], tourist taxis and auto rickshaws are also available on hire. Chennai's transportation infrastructure provides coverage and connectivity, but growing use has caused traffic congestion and pollution. The government has tried to address these problems by constructing [[Overpass|flyovers]] at major intersections, starting with the [[Anna Flyover|Gemini flyover]], built in 1973 over the most important arterial road, [[Anna Salai]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/nic/draftmasterplanii_short.pdf
|format=PDF
|title= Land Use and Planning Strategy
|work=Draft Master Plan – II for Chennai Metropolitan Area
|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
|page = p. 60
|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last = Srivathsan
|first = A
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007092950161200.htm&date=2007/09/29/&prd=pp&
|title=Bridge across time Skyline
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[September 29]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref>
== Media ==
{{mainarticle|Media in Chennai}}
{{seealso|List of Tamil language television channels}}
Newspaper publishing started in Chennai with the launch of a weekly, ''The Madras Courier'', in 1785.<ref name=media_history>{{cite web
|url=http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#evt
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|title=Historical Events at a Glance
|work=District Profile
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> It was followed by the weeklies ''The Madras Gazzette'' and ''The Government Gazzette'' in 1795. ''The Spectator'', founded in 1836, was the first English newspaper in Chennai to be owned by an Indian and became the city's first daily newspaper in 1853.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Muthiah
|first = S
|url=http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/02/03/stories/2003020300160300.htm
|date=[[February 3]], [[2003]]
|work=The Hindu
|title=A landmark's last vestiges vanish
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> The first Tamil newspaper, ''Swadesamitran'', was launched in 1899.<ref name=media_history/>
<!-- Uncomment the next line after adding the names of the six media groups and the major newspapers/magazines to the sub-article [[Media in Chennai]]-->
<!-- Chennai has six major [[print media]] groups that publish about{{clarifyme}} eight major newspapers and magazines.-->
The major English dailies published in Chennai are ''[[The Hindu]]'', ''[[The New Indian Express]]'', ''[[The Deccan Chronicle]]'' and ''[[The Times of India]]'' recently joined the list. The evening dailies are, ''The Trinity Mirror'' and ''[[The News Today]]''. As of 2004, ''The Hindu'' was the city's most read English newspaper, with a daily circulation of 267,349.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Shankaran
|first = Sanjiv
|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/04spec3.htm
|publisher=Rediff.com
|title=How Deccan Chronicle stormed Chennai
|date=[[May 4]], [[2005]]
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> The major business dailies published from the city are ''[[The Economic Times]]'', ''[[The Hindu Business Line]]'', ''[[Business Standard]]'', and ''[[Financial Express|The Financial Express]]''. The major Tamil dailies include the ''[[Dina Thanthi]]'', ''[[Dinakaran]]'', ''[[Dina Mani]]'', ''[[Dina Malar]]'', ''[[Tamil Murasu]]'', ''[[Makkal Kural]]'' and ''[[Malai Malar]]'' and major Telugu dailies include Eenandu, Vaartha, Andhra Jyothi and Sakshi .<ref name="newspapers-list"> {{cite web|url=https://rni.nic.in/search_place.asp|title=Publication Place Wise-Registration|publisher= Registrar of Newspapers for India|accessdate=2007-10-09}} If one types in ''Chennai'' in the input box and submits, the list is displayed.</ref> Neighbourhood newspapers such as ''The Annanagar Times'' and ''The Adyar Times'' cater to particular localities. Magazines published from Chennai include ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'', ''[[Kumudam]]'', ''[[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]]'', ''[[Kungumam]]'', ''Swathi (Telugu magazine)'', ''[[Frontline magazine|Frontline]]'' and ''[[Sportstar]]''.
[[Doordarshan]] runs two [[terrestrial television]] channels and two [[satellite television]] channels from its Chennai centre, which was set up in 1974. Private Tamil satellite television networks like [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]], [[Raj Network|Raj TV][Raj Digital Plus]], [[STAR TV|Star]] Vijay, [[Jaya TV]], [[Makkal TV]] and [[Kalaignar TV]] broadcast out of Chennai. The [[Sun Network]] one of India's largest broadcasting companies is based in the city. While SCV and Hathway are the major cable TV service providers, Direct-to-home ([[Direct broadcast satellite|DTH]]) is available via [[DD Direct Plus]], [[Dish TV India|Dish TV]], [[Tata Sky]] and Sun Direct.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061317950300.htm
|title=Dish TV launches 'One Alliance' bouquet
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[June 13]], [[2006]]
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030404630200.htm
|title=DTH companies come up with offers for World Cup
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[March 4]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> Chennai is the first city in India to have implemented the [[Conditional Access System]] for cable television.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/06/stories/2003120604511200.htm
|accessdate=2007-09-07
|date=[[December 06]], [[2003]]
|title= Conditional Access System in South Delhi from December 15
|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Radio broadcasting started from the radio station at the Rippon Buildings complex, founded in 1930 and was then shifted to [[All India Radio]] in 1938.<ref name=media_history/> The city has two [[amplitude modulation|AM]] and ten [[frequency modulation|FM]] radio stations, operated by [[Anna University]], [[All India Radio]] and private broadcasters.<ref>{{cite book | editor-last=Gilbert | editor-first=Sean | title=[[World Radio TV Handbook|World Radio TV Handbook 2007: The Directory of International Broadcasting]] | publisher=WRTH Publications Ltd. | date=2006 | place=London | pages= pp. 237–242 | isbn=0823059979}}</ref>.
== Education ==
{{mainarticle|Education in Chennai}}
{{seealso|Schools in Chennai|Education in India}}
[[Image:Anna-university.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The main entrance to [[Anna University]]]]
Schools in Chennai are either run publicly by the Tamil Nadu government or privately, some with financial aid from the government.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.schools.tn.nic.in/SS/SS1to5.pdf
|format=PDF
|title=District-wise number of schools according to area, type and management
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|work=Reports
|pages = pp. 1–25
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> The medium of education is either English or Tamil. Most schools are affiliated with the [[Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education|Tamil Nadu State Board]], the Matriculation Board or the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE).<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/edu/2006/11/20/stories/2006112000410100.htm
|title=Balancing uniformity and diversity
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[November 20]], [[2006]]
|author=Ramachandran, K. and Srinivasan, Meera
|accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> A few schools are affiliated with the [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education]] (ICSE) board, Anglo-Indian board or the [[Montessori|Montessori system]]. Schooling begins at the age of three with two years of kindergarten followed by ten years of primary and secondary education. Students then need to complete two years of higher secondary education in either science or commerce before being eligible for college education in a general or professional field of study.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/structure.htm
|title=Educational Structure
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/statistics/picture1-edn.htm
|title=Educational System in Tamil Nadu
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> There are 1,389 schools in the city, out of which 731 are primary, 232 are secondary and 426 are higher secondary schools.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.schools.tn.nic.in/TownSchools.asp?DCODE=02&VTCODE=40200988
|title=No. of Schools in the Town : Chennai
|publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref>
The [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras) and [[Anna University]] are two well known centres for engineering education in the city; most city colleges that offer engineering programs are affiliated with [[Anna University]]. [[Madras Medical College]] (MMC), [[Stanley Medical College]] (SMC), Kilpauk Medical College and [[Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute]] (SRMC) are the notable medical colleges in Chennai.
Colleges for science, arts and commerce degrees are typically affiliated with the [[University of Madras]], which has three campuses in the city; some colleges such as [[Madras Christian College]], [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]] and [[The New College, Chennai|The New College]] are autonomous. Research institutions like the [[Central Leather Research Institute]] (CLRI), the [[Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute]] (CEERI) and the [[Institute for Financial Management and Research]] (IFMR) are in the city. The [[Connemara Public Library]] is one of four [[National Depository Centre]]s in India that receive a copy of all newspapers and books published in India.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.com/forPublisher.htm
|title=The Delivery of Books' and Newspapers' (Public Libraries) Act, 1954
|publisher=Govt. of India
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> It has been declared a [[UNESCO]] information centre.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.com/History.htm
|title=Highlights
|publisher=Connemara Public Library
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref>
== Sports ==
{{mainarticle|Sport in Chennai}}
[[Image:IPL T20 Chennai vs Kolkata.JPG|thumb|220 px|right|An [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] match between [[Chennai Super Kings]] and Kolkata Knight Riders in progress at M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium]]
[[Cricket]] is the most popular sport in Chennai.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://tnpesu.org/chennai.htm |title=About Chennai |accessdate=2007-10-04 |publisher=Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University }}</ref> The [[M.A. Chidambaram Stadium]] (MAC) in [[Chepauk]] is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India.<ref>{{cite web
|last = Sriram
|first = Natarajan
|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/ground/58008.html
|title=MA Chidambaram stadium
|publisher=[[Cricinfo]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> The [[Chemplast Cricket Ground]] on the [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] campus is another important venue hosting first class matches. Prominent cricketers from the city include former Test-captains [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan|S. Venkataraghavan]] and [[Kris Srikkanth|Kris Srikkanth]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Srinivas Venkataraghavan|publisher=[[Cricinfo]] |url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/35656.html| first=Partab |last=Ramchand | accessdate=2007-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kris Srikkanth|publisher=[[Cricinfo]] |url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/34103.html| first=Partab |last=Ramchand | accessdate=2007-10-15}}</ref> A cricket fast bowling academy, the [[MRF Pace Foundation]], whose coaches include [[Dennis Lillee]], is based in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Howard visits MRF Pace Foundation
|date=[[March 9]], [[2006]]
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/09/stories/2006030908432000.htm
|work=The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Pathan owes his success to MRF Pace Foundation | date= [[February 20]], [[2004]] | publisher=Yahoo! News | url =http://in.news.yahoo.com/040220/43/2bljj.html | archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20070311232922/http://in.news.yahoo.com/040220/43/2bljj.html | archivedate=2007-03-11 | work =Indo-Asian News Service |accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> Chennai is home to the [[Indian Premier League]] cricket team, the [[Chennai Super Kings]]. Chennai is also home to the [[Indian Cricket League]] team, the [[Chennai Superstars]], who won the first ever ICL 20s championship and the ICL Domestic 50s.<ref name='hindu-icl'>{{cite news | first=Vijay | last=Lokapally | coauthors= | title= Chennai Superstars tame Lions to triumph | date=2007-12-17 | publisher= | url =http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121760922500.htm | work =The Hindu |pages=|accessdate=2007-12-18 |language=}}</ref><ref name='ICL-official'> {{cite web|url=http://iclcricket.net/content/view/3403/9/ |title=Chennai Superstars crowned ICL 20:20 Champions |accessdate=2007-12-18 |publisher=Indian Cricket League }}</ref>
The [[Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium]] is regarded by the [[International Hockey Federation]] as one of the best in the world for its state-of-the-art infrastructure. The city is home to a Premier Hockey League ([[Premier Hockey League|PHL]]) team, the [[Chennai Veerans]], and has hosted many [[field hockey|hockey]] tournaments such as the Asia Cup and the Men's [[Hockey Champions Trophy|Champions Trophy]].<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/10/stories/2007091055590100.htm
|title=India retains Asia Cup hockey title
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[September 10]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102004161800.htm
|title=Radhakrishnan stadium to have new turf
|work=The Hindu
|date=[[October 20]], [[2004]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref>
[[Image:Chennai.ATP.jpg|thumb|left|140px|[[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP]] [[Chennai Open]] - Centre Court at the SDAT Tennis Stadium complex]]
Chennai has produced popular tennis players such as [[Vijay Amritraj]] and [[Ramesh Krishnan]]<ref name="amirtharajs">{{cite news
|last=Basu
|first=Arundhati
|title=Off-court ace
|date=[[March 19]], [[2005]]
|url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050319/asp/weekend/story_4513588.asp
|work =The Telegraph
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last=Srinivasan
|first=Kamesh
|title= For Paes and Bhupathi, glory days began in Chennai
|date=[[December 28]], [[2001]]
|url =http://www.hindu.com/2001/12/28/stories/2001122801651900.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref><ref name='ramanathan-krishnan'>{{cite news
|last=Keerthivasan
|first=K
|title= A trip down memory lane
|date=[[December 30]], [[2004]]
|url =http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123006512000.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref> and is host to an [[Association of Tennis Professionals]] (ATP) event, the [[Chennai Open]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.chennaiopen.org
|title=About the venue
|publisher=[[International Management Group]]
|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> [[Football (soccer)|Football]] and athletic competitions are held at the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]], which also houses a multi-purpose indoor complex for competition in volleyball, basketball and [[table tennis]]. Water sports are played in the [[Velachery Aquatic Complex]]. Chennai was the venue of the [[South Asian Games]] (SAF Games) in 1995.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Thyagarajan
|first=S
|title=On the road to restoration
|date=[[December 4]],[[2003]]
|url =http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/04/stories/2003120400820400.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref>
Auto racing in India has been closely connected with Chennai since its beginnings shortly after independence. Motor racing events are held on a special purpose track in Irungattukottai, [[Sriperumbudur]],<ref name="hindumotorsport">{{cite news
|last=Thyagarajan
|first =S
|title=On the right track
|date=[[August 22]], [[2002]]
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/22/stories/2002082200640400.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> which has also been the venue for several international competitions.<ref name="expressmotorsport">{{cite news
|title=Chennai on right track
|date=[[February 5]], [[1998]]
|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980205/03650544.html
|work =The Indian Express
|accessdate=2007-10-04 }}</ref> Horse racing is held at the [[Guindy Race Course]], while rowing competitions are hosted at the [[Madras Boat Club]]. The city has two 18-hole golf courses, the [[Cosmopolitan Club]] and the [[Gymkhana Club]], both established in the late nineteenth century. [[Viswanathan Anand]], the chess World champion and the world's top ranked chess player as of October 2007, grew up in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Brijnath
|first = Rohit
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100655521900.htm
|title= India's most consistent champion
|work= [[The Hindu]]
|date=[[October 6]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news
|last = Fide
|first =
|url=http://www.fide.com/ratings/toparc.phtml?cod=117
|title=FIDE Top 100 Players October 2007
|work= Fide
|date=[[October 15]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-10-15}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news
|last = Official site of the 2007 World Chess Championship
|first =
|url=http://www.chessmexico.com/es/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=114
|title=Viswanathan Anand the new World Champion 2007
|work=
|date=[[October 15]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-10-15}}</ref>
Other athletes of repute from Chennai include table tennis players [[Sharath Kamal]]<ref>{{cite news
|last = Srinivasan
|first = Meera
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/07/stories/2007090760930400.htm
|title=Four Chennai teachers have a reason to rejoice
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=[[September 7]], [[2007]]
|accessdate=2007-10-04}}
</ref> and two-time world [[carrom]] champion, [[Maria Irudayam]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://sportal.nic.in/front.asp?maincatid=51&headingid=71
|publisher=Govt. of India
|title=Indian Teams in International Competitions
|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref> The city has a [[rugby union]] team called the [[Chennai Cheetahs]].<ref>{{cite news
|title=Chennai Cheetahs lifts title
|date=[[April 16]], [[2007]]
|url =http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/16/stories/2007041605951700.htm
|work =The Hindu
|accessdate=2007-10-04 }}</ref>
== Sister cities ==
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]] [[United States]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Chennai, India Overview | url =http://www.denversistercities.org/chennai.php |accessdate=2007-09-11|publisher=Denver Sister Cities International}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Texas]] [[United States]], since February 2008
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]], since 2005
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Volgograd]], [[Russia]], since 1966<ref>{{cite news | last =Mahalingam | first =Sudha | title =Riding into a steppe sunset en route to Mumbai | work =The Hindu | date =[[November 26]], [[2006]] | url =http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112602291000.htm |accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref>
== See also ==
*[[Tourism in Chennai]]
*[[Chennai suburban railway]]
*[[Areas of Chennai]]
*[[Water supply in Chennai]]
== Notes ==
<div style="height:220px; overflow:auto; padding:3px; border:1px solid #AAAAAA; reflist4" >
{{reflist|2}}
</div>
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Chennai}}
*[http://www.tourismchennai.com/ Chennai Tourism]
*[http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/ Official government website of Chennai District]
*[http://www.chennaicorporation.com/ Official website of the Corporation of Chennai]
*[http://www.cmdachennai.org/ Official website of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority]
*{{wikitravelpar|Chennai}}
*{{dmoz|Regional/Asia/India/Tamil_Nadu/Localities/Chennai/}}
*[http://www.ponniyinselvan.in/articles-f6/chennai-historical-events-1639-1988-t26484.html சென்னை - வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகள் (Chennai Historical Events) 1639 - 1988 ]
{{Template group
|list =
{{State and Union Territory capitals of India}}
{{Metropolitan cities of India}}
{{Million-plus cities in India}}
{{Municipal corporations of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Tamil Nadu}}
{{Neighbourhoods of Chennai}}
{{World's most populated urban areas}}
}}
{{featured article}}
[[Category:Chennai| ]]
[[Category:Coastal cities]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Chennai railway division]]
[[Category:Divisions of Indian Railways]]
[[Category:Southern Railway (India) Zone]]
{{Link FA|ta}}
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