Madras

Madras is now called Chennai.

Madras (now officially Chennai) is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It has a population of 5.9 million. The main language is Tamil. Madras is an important centre of Dravidian culture. It is also the place where the first British settlement was established by the East Indian Company in 1639, later followed by a fort (Fort St George).

Madras has two main parts. The first one is George Town, the second is situated south of Periyar EVR High Road. The city has two important railway stations: Egmore and Central. Post offices are at Rajaji Salai and at Anna Salai. The city has many cultural centres, libraries and bookshops.

Things to see in Madras are: Fort Saint George, the Enfield motorcycle factory, the Marina and Aquarium, the High Court Building, the Government Museum, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Saint Andrew’s Church and Guindy National Park. Daily organised tours take you to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). The city has a number of hotels near Kennet Lane.

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