Regional City Spotlight: Chennai

Located near Adoni, Chennai is one of the largest cities in all of India. As the capital of the Tamil Nadu regional state, over 4 million people call Chennai proper home, with another 4 million people in the surrounding area. Situated on the coast of the Bengal Bay, the city formally began to develop under British leadership in the 17th century and grew as a major center of the Madras government.

Today, the city has an expansive economy, with a number of major businesses holding regional headquarters there. Among the city’s largest industries are automotive manufacturing and information technology; the city is the 2nd largest provider of IT support in the country and the largest car exporter.

Known for its rich cultural traditions, as well, the city hosts a Madras Music Season festival ever year, as well as a Kollywood Tamil film festival. As home to a number of leading artists, Chennai has deep roots in classical Indian traditions as well as modern business.