Coimbatore district General information
Coimbatore District is one of the more affluent and industrially advanced districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The headquarters of the district is Coimbatore city, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, which is located approximately 497 km from Chennai, the state capital, and 330 km from Bangalore. It is highest revenue yielding district in the state.
History
The district was ruled successively by several dynasties of South India. Under the Cholas during the 11th century, the present-day Coimbatore came into existence as a jungle village under an Irula chieftain. The district was occupied by Mysore in 1700s from the Madurai rulers and after the Mysore wars in 1799, the district was occupied by the British until the Indian independence in 1947.
Geography
Coimbatore district lies in the western part of Tamil Nadu, part of the Kongu Nadu region. The district borders with Palakkad district of Kerala in the West, Nilgiris district in the north, Erode district in the North East and East, Idukki district of Kerala in the South and Dindigul district in the south east. The district has an area of 7,649 square kilometers.
Climate
The South Western and Northern parts are hilly, part of the Western Ghats, and enjoys pleasant climate all throughout the year with heavy rainfall. To the West is the Palghat Gap, the only major pass in the long stretch of the ghats abutting Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Palghat Gap, connecting Coimbatore city and Palakkad city, serves as an important transit link for both the states. The rest of the district lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats and experiences salubrious climate most parts of the year. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for Coimbatore city during summer and winter vary between 35°C to 18°C . The average annual rainfall in the plains is around 700 mm with the North East and the South West monsoons contributing to 47% and 28% respectively to the total rainfall
River
The major rivers flowing through the district are Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravathi, Siruvani and Aliyar. The Siruvani river is the main source of drinking water for Coimbatore city and is known for its tasty water. Amaravathi Dam, which created Amaravathi Reservoir, is located at Amaravathinagar.
Demography
It had a population of 4,271,856 as of 2001, with a decennial growth rate of 21.76%[4]. The literacy rate of the district is 76.97%.
Tamil is the principal language spoken in the district, with sizable minorities of Malayalam and Telugu speakers. Hindus formed the majority of the population at 90.08% followed by Muslims at 5.33%, Christians at 4.35% and others at 0.24%[5]. As per the 2001 Census, Coimbatore district had a population density of 572 persons per square kilometer and a sex ratio of 963 females for every 1000 males.
Flora and Fauna
Coimbatore district is home to Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. The Park and the Sanctuary are the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is under consideration by UNESCO as part of The Western Ghats World Heritage site. The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna typical of the South Western Ghats. There are over 2000 species plants of which about 400 species are of prime medicinal value. The animals in the park include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Giant Flying Squirrel. The birds endemic to the Western Ghats residing here include Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Grey Hornbill etc...The Amaravathi reservoir and the Amaravathi river are breeding grounds for the Mugger Crocodiles
Industry
Textile is the major industry in the Coimbatore district and one of the important textile hubs of India. Coimbatore is also called as the "Manchester of South India" because it houses many textile industries.India's leading Textile Machinery Manufacturer " Lakshmi Machine works Ltd " producing textile machineries for textile mills in India & Abroad. LMW is pride of Coimbatore. There are many electric pump manufacturing companies in and around Coimbatore like Deccan, CRI, Texmo, KSB, Sharp. Coimbatore also houses some of the auto component manufacturing brands like Roots, Pricol and LGB. Germany auto component major Robert Bosch has started their R & D facility in Coimbatore.
Coimbatore also houses many Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing companies like Cognizant Technology Solutions and Perot Systems.
The district is home to almost 50% of the poultry population of Tamil Nadu.
Places of interest
2. Thirumurthy Dam, Udumalpet.
3. Amaravathy Dam, Udumalpet.
4. Kovai Kutralum, Perur, Coimbatore.
5. Siruvani Dam, Near wallaiyar.
6. Black Thunder (Water Sports),
7. Narayanakavi Memorial, Udumalaipettai
8. Valparai Hill Station.
9. Cholayar Dam, Valparai.
10. Kadamparai Power House, Valparai
11. Tamilnadu Agri. University Botanical Gardens
12. Horticulture Farms, Kallar, Near Mettupalayam.
13. Vaitheki Falls, Narasi Palayam
14. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park (Top Slip), Pollachi
15. V.O.C Park, Coimbatore
16. Karamadai Range Forest eco-torism
PLACES OF WORSHIP
1. Patteswarar Temple, Perur, Coimbatore.
2. Murugan Temple, Marudhamalai.
3. Arulmigu Echanari Vinayakar Temple, Coimbatore.
4. Lingeswarar Temple, Avanashi.
5. Koniamman Koil Temple, Coimbatore
6. Subramanian Samy Temple, Thirumuruganpoondi.
7. Pathrakaliamman koil, Nellithurai, Mettupalayam.
8. Masaniamman Koil, Anaimalai, Near Pollachi.
9. Munthi Vinayakar Koil, Puliakulam, Coimbatore.
10. Saibaba Temple, Coimbatore.
11. Balaji Temple, Karumalai, Valparai.
12. Karamadai Aranganathar Temple, Near Mettupalayam.
13. Athar Jamad Mazid, Coimbatore.
14. Guruthvara, Coimbatore.
15. Jain Temple, Coimbatore.
16. Immanuel Church, Coimbatore.
17. Christ Church, Coimbatore.
18. Bethesdha Prayer Centre, Karunyanagar.
19. Carmel Prayer Tower, Coimbatore.
20. Anthoniar Church, Puliakulam, Coimbatore.
SHOPPING OUTLETS
1. Big Bazaar Street and Oppanakara Street.
2. Raja Street, Rangey Gounder Street.
3. Sukravarpettai (Handloom Sarees).
4. Chinthamani Supermarket.
5. Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium, Town Hall.
6. Co-optex, Nehru Stadium Complex.
7. Khadikrafts, Avinashi Road
8. Cross-cut Road, Gandhi puram.
9. D.B. Road, R.S. puram.
10. Loom World (Co-op Retail outlets), S.B. Colony