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About Chennai
Chennai (formerly known as Madras), is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is the fourth largest metropolis in India. Modern Chennai grew out of a small fishing village called Madraspatnam, when the East India Company chose the location for a new settlement way back in 1639.
Quick Facts
Area: 426 sq km
Population: 8.2 mn
Altitude: Sea Level
Language: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, English
GETTING THERE
From Asia Pacific
If you are visiting from Asia Pacific locations, there are daily flights from South East Asia, North Asia and Australasia via key Asian gateways - Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand and Australian capital cities. The airline choices include Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways.
From Europe
If you are visiting from Europe, there are daily non-stop flights from London, Paris and Frankfurt. The airline choices include Air India, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Delta.
From North America
If you are visiting from North America, there are daily flights from all major US cities to Chennai via Europe or Asia Pacific.
CLIMATE
Average temperature in Chennai in Celsius.
- Jan to Mar
- Apr to June
- July to Sep
- Oct to Dec
- 30-40°c
- 35-45°c
- 25-35°c
- 20-26°c
LANGUAGE
There are many distinct languages and dialects in India. However, in Chennai, English and Tamil are widely spoken. Road signs and directions are posted in both languages.
CURRENCY
The national currency is the rupee. It is divided into 100 paisas. Traveller's cheques are easy to cash and there are ATMs throughout the city. Please see www.xe.com for currency exchange rates.
IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Visas are required. For business visas, enquiries should be directed to the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
HEALTH
Chennai has several modern general and specialist hospitals. Reasonable precautions should be taken against hepatitis-A, malaria, cholera and typhoid. Drinking boiled or bottled water is often an adequate precaution against water-borne illnesses. You should consult your doctor and arrange travel insurance prior to departure.
TELEPHONE
Mobile telephones use the GSM standard and global roaming is active.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 230 volts/ 50 cycles.
TIME
India is plus five-and-a-half hours Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Please see http://www.timeanddate.com