What Is at 8°N, 78°E? Chennai, India

The coordinates 8° N, 78° E point to Chennai (formerly Madras), capital of Tamil Nadu, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.

• Population: ~11 million (metro) – India’s 4th largest.
• Economy: Auto manufacturing, IT/ITES, healthcare, film (Kollywood), port.
• Culture: Classical Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam dance, Dravidian temples, Marina Beach (2nd longest urban beach).
• Climate: Tropical wet/dry – hot year-round, NE monsoon (Oct–Dec) brings most rain.

Chennai is a major gateway to South India and a UNESCO Creative City for music.