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India

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is India's fourth-largest city and a major cultural, economic, and educational hub in southern India. Originally known as Madras, the city was founded by the British East India Company in 1639 and grew around Fort St. George. The city stretches along the Bay of Bengal, featuring the famous Marina Beach—one of the longest urban beaches in Asia. Chennai is the birthplace of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, and remains a center for traditional arts, music, and temple architecture. The city boasts a unique blend of Tamil heritage with colonial-era churches, Indo-Saracenic architecture, and modern shopping complexes. Notable neighborhoods include Mylapore (known for temples and classical music), Nungambakkam (commercial hub), and Anna Nagar (residential areas). Chennai's cuisine features authentic Tamil fare, with influences from Andhra and Sri Lankan culinary traditions in certain neighborhoods.