Chennai is the gateway to South India and has an estimated population in the metropolitan area of over 8 million, making it the fourth largest city in India. Chennai is about 350 years old, it was founded at Fort St. George in 1640. Chennai was the first British people's major settlement in India. In the city, one cannot fail to notice the dominant British influences in the form of old cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and the wide tree lined avenues. But Chennai retains a charm characteristic of South Indian tradition. This may not be surprising because the region was an important center of Pallava culture long before the British arrived and the traces or inscriptions are found in numerous old temples.
Two rivers meander through Chennai, the Cooum River through the centre and the Adyar River to the south. The Marina Beach runs for 12 km along the shoreline of the city towards the Bay of Bengal. Marina Beach is a major tourist attraction. Most people visiting Chennai make it a point to visit the beach. Marina Beach is popular for its shops, food stalls,memorials and statues. The beach is primarily sandy, but the sea is rough and the waves are strong, so bathing/swimming is illegal and there are no lifeguards stationed there. There are fishermen colonies present at both ends of the beach. At a distance of 40 km from Chennai is Covelong Beach, one of the finest beaches on the coast of Coromandel. The beach is situated amidst picturesque locals and serves as the perfect retreat, away from the city.
Among the most popular tourist attractions in Chennai are: St. Gorge Fort, located on the banks of Bay of Bengal and built by the British East India Company in 1640. The Fort is a military architecture marvel, which was erected as a trading post. Freemasons Hall is the living example of the cultural and traditional heritage of the people who inhabited the ancient city of Madras. The Government Museum of Chennai is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in the city. It is one of India's oldest museums. The Thousand Lights Mosque is a well-known worship place for the Muslims in the Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. The mosque is popular for a number of reasons, such as its name, its architecture and its historical and religious importance. Valluvar Kottam is a monument built to pay homage to Tamil poet Saint Thiruvalluvar. The site where it is situated once housed an unused lake. The monument is in the shape of a temple chariot and contains a lively and splendid statue of the poet.
