Basic information

| Attribute | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Official Name** | Chennai | | **Common Name** | Chennai (formerly Madras) | | **Native Name(s)** | சென்னை (Tamil) | | **Nicknames** | Detroit of India, Gateway to South India, Health Capital of India | | **Motto** | _Data not readily available for this location._ | | **Geographic Level** | City | | **Country** | India | | **State/Province** | Tamil Nadu | | **Capital** | Capital of Tamil Nadu | | **Government Type** | Municipal Corporation (Greater Chennai Corporation) | | **Date Founded** | August 22, 1639 | | **Time Zone** | Indian Standard Time (UTC+05:30) | | **Latitude** | 13.0827° N | | **Longitude** | 80.2707° E | | **Elevation** | Average 6.7 m (22 ft) | | **Total Area** | 426 sq km (164 sq mi) - City boundaries | | **Population** | ~8.6 million (City), ~11.5 million (Metropolitan Area) | | **Population Density** | ~20,000 per sq km | | **ZIP/Postal Codes** | 600001 to 600137 (generally beginning with 600) | | **Area Codes** | +91 44 | | **Official Languages** | Tamil, English | | **Currency** | Indian Rupee (INR) | | **Demonym** | Chennaiite |