Puducherry

Puducherry புதுச்சேரி
Union Territory
Coordinates:
Country	India
Established	1674
Founded by	French East India Company
Government
• Lieutenant Governor	Currently Vacant
Area
• Total	492 km2 (190 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	1,244,464
• Density	2,500/km2 (6,600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	605xxx
Area code(s)	+91-413
Vehicle registration	PY

Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, is a Union Territory of India. It was formed out of four exclaves of former French India, namely Pondichéry, Karikal, Mahé and Yanam. Puducherry is situated in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula. The Union Territory of Puducherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Puducherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea.

History

Puducherry has a rich history that dates back to the Roman times. However, it is most famously known for being a significant French colonial settlement in India. The French East India Company established this settlement in 1674, and it was eventually transferred to the Republic of India in 1954, officially becoming part of the Indian Union in 1962.

Geography

Puducherry is bordered by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state, sharing most of its culture and language with this region. The geography of Puducherry is characterized by a mostly flat terrain, with a few rolling hills to the north and west.

Economy

The economy of Puducherry is supported by a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Tourism plays a significant role due to its history and architecture, including colonial buildings, churches, temples, and statues which combine French and Indian influences.

Culture

The culture of Puducherry is a blend of French and Tamil influences, which is evident in its architecture, cuisine, and linguistic landscape. The official languages include Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English, and French. Puducherry is also known for the internationally famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot, Auroville, an experimental township where people from across the world come to live and work.

Education

Puducherry is home to several institutions of higher education, including the Pondicherry University and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), which are prominent in the fields of humanities, science, medicine, and engineering.

Transport

Puducherry is well-connected by road to major cities in South India. Puducherry Airport connects the territory with domestic flights to major Indian cities, but it is primarily served by the Chennai International Airport for international travel.

Governance

Puducherry has its own legislative assembly and operates under the federal system of the Government of India. The Lieutenant Governor is the administrative head, appointed by the President of India.

See also

• List of cities in India by population
• French India
• Colonial India