Chennai Orientation

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the capital of the State of Tamil Nadu and is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is divided into three areas. The northern district bordered by the River Cooum is the location of George Town, west of the dock area and north of Poonamallee High Road. This area developed during British occupation and its main focal point today is Parry's Corner, which is the intersection of Prakasam Road and NSC Bose Road. The GPO is situated in this area and many city buses terminate here. The second area is Central Madras with Anna Salai as its centre where you will find most of the theatres, banks, consulates, high-end hotels and restaurants of the city. Also of particular interest is the area south of here near the coast called Mylapore which has several tourist attractions and places of pilgrimage.