GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Geographical Features
Pondicherry region is located on the coromandal coast between 11 degree 46' and 12 degree 30' of north latitude and between 79 degree 36' and 79 degree 52' of east longitude. Its boundary on the east is the Bay of Bengal and on the other 3 sides is Cuddalore & Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu State. the region as a whole is 290 sq. Kms with a total population of 9,74,000 according to the 2001 census.
This is not a contiguous area but interspersed with some parts of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu state. It presents a picture of scattered parts enclosed within Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.
The lay out of Pondicherry region described above which is located within Tamil Nadu presents a peculiar picture of territorial jurisdiction, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. The historical reasons, which prompted the French and the British to limit their territories in the intermingling manner, are not known.
Languages and Religion
Main languages spoken in the region are Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. English and French are other languages, which are spoken by a considerable number of people. The fact that people speaking 55 different languages reside here and that Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, French and English are the five official languages certainly raises eyebrows. In spite of this linguistic plethora, there is no confusion but absolute harmony.
Majorities of the people are Hindus. There are quite a number of Christians and Muslims, whereas very few Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.