Tiruchirapalli District, formerly known as Tiruchi, is situated on the banks of the River
Cauvery. It covers an area of 4,400 sq km and has a population of over 2.1 million. The temperature varies from 18
o C to 37
o C. Tiruchirapalli District receives an annual rainfall of 800 mm.
Tamil, English and
Hindi are the languages spoken.
Rice, millets, pulses, sugarcane, gingelly, groundnut and cotton are the chief crops. Agriculture, dairy farms, engineering industries, cottage industries, khadi and village industries, animal husbandry and fishing are the major occupations. The
rock fort is a well known landmark of Tiruchirapalli city. The fort was built by Nayaks (Kings) of
Madurai. Tiruchirapalli was ruled by
Cholas,
Pallavas,
Pandyas,
Mughals and the British rulers.
Sri Ranganatha Swami temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Mukkombu, Kallanai Dam,
Samayapuram and Puliancholai are the main tourist places. Tiruchirapalli is also famous for diamonds, cigars, handloom cloths, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.
Tiruchirapalli has a small international airport and is a major junction on the metre and broad gauge of
southern railway.