The district of Tiruvallur has been carved out
by bifurcating erstwhile
Chengalpattu district (which was renamed as Chengalpattu-MGR/Kancheepuram
at the time of 1991 Census). According to the said bifurcation
Tiruvallur revenue division which included Tiruvallur, Tiruttani
taluks and Uthukkottai and Pallipattu sub-taluks separated from
Chengalpattu district along with Ponneri and Gummindipoondi
taluks of Saidapet revenue division and formed this new district.
At present this district is comprised of eight
taluks namely Ambattur, Gummindipoondi,
Ponneri, Uthukkottai, Tiruvallur,
Poonamallee, Tiruttani and Pallipattu.
In the far past, this region was under a chain
of regimes commencing from the Pallavas during the 7th
century ending with the Nawab of Arcot during the early part of
19th century when it came under the British rule. In
1687, the Golkonda rulers were defeated and the region came under
the Moghul emperors of Delhi. The towns and villages of this region
were the scene of Carnatic wars. Battles are said to have been
fought in this region during the struggle for supremacy between
the English and French. The town of Pulicat was the earliest Dutch
possession in India founded in 1609 which was ceded to the British
in 1825. With this, the region came under the British rule which
ended on the 15th August, 1947 with India becoming
independent.
Geographical Position
Thiruvallur district, a newly formed district bifurcated
from the erstwhile Chengalpattu district (on 1st January 1997),
is located in
the North East part of Tamil Nadu.
North Latitude
between
12°15' and 13°15'
East Longitude between
79°15' and 80°20'
The district is surrounded by Kancheepuram district
in the South, Vellore district in the West.
Bay of Bengal in the East and Andhra Pradesh State in the North.
The district spreads over an area of about 3422 Sq.kms.
An insight into the early history of this region
shows that the region was reined by kingdoms such as the
Pallavas, the
Golkondas, the Mughals, the
French, the Dutch
and also the British.
Physical Features
The Coastal region is mostly flat while certain
areas in Tiruttani and Pallipattu taluks are undulated and even
hilly. The types of soil predominantly found are red non-calcareous
and coastal alluvial. Also found are sandy soil mixed
with soda or other alkali.
The soil found in the coastal region is of the
erinaceous type (sandy), suitable for casuarinas plants.
Population
The population of the district is 27,38,866 persons with 51% male and 49% female
as per the census 2001 (provisional).
Population Distribution
| |
Number |
Percentage |
| Total |
27,38,866 |
|
| Male |
13,90,292 |
50.76% |
| Female |
13,48,574 |
49.24% |
| Rural |
12,46,832 |
45.52% |
| Urban |
14,92,034 |
44.48% |
| Density (Per km2) |
800 |
|
| Sex ratio |
970/1000 |
|
Rainfall and Climate
The average rainfall of the district is 1104.4
mm, of which the North East monsoon contributes to the tune of
690 mm. The actual rainfall received during the agricultural year
2001 - 02 is 1164.4mm.
The average temperature of the district is
Maximum 37.9°C
Minimum 18.5°C
Like other parts of Tamil Nadu, hot climate prevails
during the month of April - May and humid climate during the rest
of the year except December - February when it is slightly cold.
