Coimbatore, popularly known as The Manchester of South India, is situated in the western part of the state of Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore City is the district head quarter. Coimbatore is well known for its textile industries and has excellent potential for industrial growth. Because of its proximity to the hills of the Western Ghats, Coimbatore enjoys an excellent climate throughout the year.

Coimbatore City is well connected with other parts of the country by air, railways and an excellent road network. An international airport is serving the city, which is located on Avinashi road at approximately 10 kms from the city center. It is also well connected with rail service to various parts of the country. The city is connected by an excellent road network with Kerala and Karnataka. The National Highway no.47 passes through the city. The queen of hills stations, Ooty is only 90 kms from the city and is well connected by road and mountain rail service throughout the year.

Coimbatore is the third largest city in Tamilnadu and the 14th largest in India.

Indicus Analyticus of New Delhi conducted a study for CII and ranked Coimbatore as 4th in the &Top 10 Business Friendly Cities” in India. It is known as the textile capital of South India hence it is called as "The Manchester of South India". More than 50,000 Large, Medium and Small Scale Industries in the various fields of general engineering, textiles, textile spates, auto spares, machine tools, motor & pumps, foundry, home appliances, software, farm equipments etc. Due to which it has earned the title "Detroit of the South". India′s 42 % of Motor Pumpsets are manufactured in Coimbatore. It is one of the six big cities having more foundry industries in India. 3 Software Parks are going to be formed. It is the second biggest industrial city in Tamilnadu, next to Chennai.

The black soil, good rains and water resources had made this place a major agricultural centre. Cotton grown is bulk and this made Coimbatore a "Textile City". The textile capital of South India is now becoming the hub of Information Technology.

The major industries include textiles, textile machinery, automobile spares, motors, electronics, steel and aluminium foundries.

Coimbatore Airport is about 17 or 21 km from the city centre. It is the second largest airport in terms of passenger movement and also second largest cargo hub in Tamil Nadu.

Tirupur ­ a neighbouring town has carves a niche for itself in the garments export market.

The rich fertile soil and tropical climate is excellent for the growth of millet, paddy, cotton, oil seeds and tobacco. The city is also known for its educational institutions. Coimbatore Agricultural University is renowned as one of the best colleges of it′s industrial and technological growth, traditions and age old customs are still held in high esteem. The temples bear witness to the religiousness and love of art and architecture of the people. There are also a number of places of tourist interest around Coimbatore.

The development of Hydro Electricity from the Pykara Falls in the 1930s led to a Cotton Boom in Coimbatore. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore′s flourishing Agriculture Industry and, it is in fact, the successful growth of cotton as served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry. The first textile mill came up as far back as 1888 and there are now over a hundred mills. India′s 15 % textile mills are situated in and around the Coimbatore. It is emerging as one of the largest exporter in India for cotton garments, auto components, valve parts, textile machinery and cast parts in steel and iron. Every year 10,000 crore valuable goods are exporting from here.

LOCATION

Coimbatore is located at the tri-junction of the southern states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Surrounded by the Fairy Queen, the Nilgiris by North, the Western Ghat side of Kerala In the west, Dindigul district in the south and the Erode district in the east there lies Coimbatore District. Known as Manchester of South India, Coimbatore alias Kovai, situated on the banks of Noyyal River.

Located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, so the climate is comfortable round the year, so it is called Poor Man′s Ooty. Located at an elevation of about 398 meters at the foot hills of Nilgiris, the city has a pleasant climate, peaceful atmosphere, cosmopolitan outlook and private enterprise.

HISTORY

Originally Coimbatore District formed part of the Kongu country, the history of which dates back to the Sangam age. It is found that in early days the area was inhabited by the tribes, the most predominant among them being the Kosars who are reported to have had their head quarters at Kosampathur which probably later became the present Coimbatore. However, tribal predominance did not last long as they were over-run by the Rashtrakutas. From Rastrakutas the Region fell in to the hands of the Cholas, who were in prominence at the time of Raja Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas the Kongun territory was occupied by the Chalukyas and then by the Pandyas and the Cysalas.

Due to internal strife in the Pandyas Kingdom the Muslim rulers from Delhi happened to interfere. Thus the area fell into the hands of Madurai Sultanate from whom the Vijayanagar rulers wrestled for the region during 1377-78 after overthrowing the Madurai Nayaks. During the period of Muthu Veerappa Nayak and later during the period of Tirumal Nayak internal strife and intermittent wars ruined the kingdom.

As a consequence during the period of Tirumal Nayak, the Kongu region fell into the hands of the Mysore rulers from whom Hyderali took over the area. However, consequents on the fall of Tippu Sultan of Mysore in 1799, the Kongu region came to be ceded to the East India Company by the Maharaja of Mysore, who was restored to power by the East India Company after defeating Tippu Sultan. From then till 1947 when India attained Independence, the region remained under British control who initiated systematic revenue administration.

In 1804, the areas were merged into one and brought under one District Collector. During the time, Mr. H.S. GREAME, [I/C] from 20/10/1803 to 20/01/1805 was the Collector. In 1868, the Nilgiris District was bifurcated from the Coimbatore District. At the opening of the present century there were 10 Taluks in the district viz., Bhavani, Coimbatore, Dharapuram, Erode, Karur, Kollegal, Palladam, Pollachi, Sathyamangalam and Udumalaipettai. The name of Sathyamangalam taluk was subsequently changed as Gopichettipalayam. Avinashi taluk was formed in the year. Karur taluk happened to be transferred to Tiruchirappalli district. In 1927, some villages of Bhavani taluk together with a few villages from Salem district were constituted into Mettur Area, but, very soon i.e, in 1929, this area was transferred to Salem district.

Again in 1956 considerable area of the district, viz., the whole of Kollegal taluk was transferred to Mysore State as part of the States Re-organisation Scheme. In 1975, Sathyamangalam Sub-taluk was upgraded as a full fledged Taluk.

Again in 1979, Perundurai Sub-taluk of Erode and Mettupalayam Sub-taluk of Avinashi were also upgraded into independent taluks. Thus the total number of Taluks in the district came to 12. This, however, did not last long. In the same year (1979) 6 taluks were bifurcated from the district to constitute a new district viz, Erode.

Under G.O. Ms. No. 1917 Revenue dt. 31-8-79, the following 6 taluks were bifurcated from then Coimbatore district to form Erode district. Bhavani, Gopichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Erode, Perundurai and Dharapuram. This bifurcation considerably reduced the size of the district. It has only 9 taluks, viz. Coimbatore (North), Coimbatore (South), Pollachi, Valparai, Udumalpettai,Avinashi, Palladam, Tirupur and Mettupalayam.

The city of Coimbatore was constituted as Municipality in the year 1866 and was subsequently constituted as Municipal Corporation from 01.05.1981. As per G.O. Ms. No. 617, 618 Revenue dt 24.10.2008, the 4 taluks from Coimbatore District (i.e. Tiruppur, Udumalpet, Palladam and Avinashi (Part) and 3 taluks from Erode districts (i.e. Dharapuram, Kangayam and Perundurai (Part) were bifurcated and formed as Tirupur District.

According to ancient manuscripts, Coimbatore′s history can be traced to the Irula tribal chief Kovan and his clan who were it′s earliest settlers and the founders of "Kovanpatti" a part of Kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and the founder of "Kovanpatti" a part of kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and a new village was formed called "Kovanputhur", which over the years came to be known as "Coimbatore".

The city derived its name from its local Goddess Koniyamman also known as Koniyattamuthur or Koniyamuthur that is metamorphosed to Koyamuthur and later anglicized as Coimbatore. Other version says that the area was once ruled by a king named Kovan and hence the name Kovanputhur (Kovan′s city).

Festivals

The Mariamman festivals, at the city′s numerous Amman temples, is a major event in summer. This is one of the most popular festivals celebrated along with Koniamman temple car festival. Car festivals at the Karamadai temple and The famous Avinashi temple attract a large attendance.

Traditional Hindu festivals like Pongal, Deepavali are major events. Ayudha pooja is an important festival. All commercial establishments are cleaned, painted, machines and vehicles washed, concluding with a pooja. Other religious occasions like Ramzan and Christmas are also observed by the city.