PUDUCHERRY

Puducherry is a Union Territory of India. It is a former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or districts, and named for the largest, Pondicherry.

In September 2006, the territory changed its official name from Pondicherry to the vernacular original, Puducherry, which means “New village” in the Tamil language. It is also known as The French Riviera of the East.

Pondicherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahe; on the Arabian Sea. Puducherry ( Pondicherry) and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahe are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²: Puducherry (city) 293 km², Karaikal 160 km², Mahé 9 km² and Yanam 30 km².

MINERAL RESOURCES

Limestone is the important mineral occurring along the borders of South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu. Kaolin occurs in Karaikal and Puducherry areas. Lignite is the other important mineral found at Bahur area in Puducherry.