Tamil Nadu, the south-eastern State of India. With a long sea coast, hills, forests, rivers, temples, vestiges of old kingdoms, a rich cultural heritage involving multiple religions and a classical language that remains the lingua franca - Tamil, it is a leader in most progressive indices of India - education, healthcare, industrialisation and overall prosperity. The State was ruled by several empires, with four in particular - the Pallava and, Chera. Chola and Pandya shaped the region's cuisine, culture, and architecture.
Tamil Nadu was formed in 1956 after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines. The state is home to several historic buildings, multi-religious pilgrimage sites, hill stations and five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tamil is the sole official language of Tamil Nadu, while English is an additional official language for communication purposes.