Parangipettai

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Parangipettai
Parangipettai
State - District(s)	Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore
Coordinates	11.49° N 79.76° E
Area
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001) - Density	20,901 -

Parangipettai, historically called Porto Novo is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Porto Novo was an important trade centre during colonial era. Today, Parangipettai is mainly a fishing village and a pilgrimage centre for Muslims. Parangipettai has a Marine Biology Station affiliated with the Annamalai University.

[edit] History

Parangipettai means "the place of foreigners" in Tamil language. The town was called Porto Novo by the Portuguese who controlled the region from early 16th century to early 18th century when they were defeated by the British. The town flourished as an industrial centre during the British rule, iron made here was exported to England. The Second Anglo-Mysore War was also fought here between Hyder Ali and the British under Sir Eyre Coote in July 1781.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Parangipettai had a population of 20,901. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Parangipettai has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 69%. In Parangipettai, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.