Puducherry at a Glance: Window of French Culture in India
Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry literally New Town in Tamil is a Union Territory of India. It was formed out of four exclaves of former French India namely Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe. It is named after the largest district Puducherry. Historically known as Pondicherry (the territory changed its official name to Puducherry (Putuccēri) on 20 September 2006.
Historical Background:
The territory of (Puducherry) comprises the former French establishment Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, which lie scattered in South India. Puducherry, the capital of the territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India. It was under the French rule for 138 years and merged with the Indian Union on 1st November 1954. It is bounded on the east by the Bay of Bengal and on the three sides by Tamil Nadu. About 150 kms south of Puducherry on the East Coast lays Karaikal. It can be reached from Calicut Airport, which is 70 km from Mahe. Yanam is situated adjoining the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh and is about 200 kms from Visakhapatnam airport.
Source: post.jagran.com
Facts about Puducherry:
| Area |
479 sq km |
| Establishment |
1st November 1966 |
| Population |
1,244,464 (2011 census) |
| Principal official Language |
Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, English and French |
| Capital |
Puducherry |
| Members of Parliament |
Lok Sabha-1 Rajya Sabha-1 |
| Legislature |
Unicameral (30 seats) |
| Airports |
Nearest Chennai |
| Major Cities |
Puducherry, Karaikal,Yanam, Mahe |
| Festivals |
Mascarade (Mask festival), Masimagam, eve of French Bastlle Day |
| Economy Size |
US$ 4.125 billion (2014-15), Industries: Textile, Computer, Hardware, Electronics, Plastic, Bicycle Parts, Alcohol, Electrical Appliances, Automobile Parts, Soap, Rice, Bran Oil, Cotton Yarn, Sugar Glazed Tiles Agriculture Products: Rice, Pulses, Coconuts, Arecanut, Condiments Groundnut, Chilies etc. |
| Literacy |
86.55% |
| Districts |
4 |
| Sex Ratio (as per 2011 census) |
1038/Thousand male |
| Density |
2,598 person/ km2 |
| Principal Dances |
Podokazhi, Attam |
| Principal Rivers |
Gingee, Mahe |
| Tourist/Historical Places |
French War Memorial, Botanical Garden, Aurobindo Ashram, Bharati And Bharatidarshan Square, Auroville, Lighthouse, Roman Rolland, Library, Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple |
| Religion |
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity |
