Chennai (formerly known as Madras), is a highly developed and the most advanced city of South India.
It is the capital of Tamil Nadu State and one among the four metropolitan cities of India. It is located on
the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The city's development started after 1639 when the British East
India Company established a Fort and a couple of Trading posts at the small fishing village called Chennai.
Since then three and a half centuries have transformed this small village into a bustling metropolis.

While moving around in the city one cannot overlook the obvious British influence which is evident
in the various cathedrals, buildings in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, wide tree lined avenues etc.
However, despite the strong British influence, Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture and
effectively blended it with the foreign influence. This is not surprising because this region had remained a
center of Pallavan culture long before the British had come here.

Chennai is lot more than the Gateway to South India. The varied aspects of traditional South Indian
culture existing alongside the lifestyle of a modern city complete with its plush hotels, restaurants offering
a range of continental to typical South Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of beaches,
modern shopping malls, cinema halls etc.