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[[Europe]]an settlers arrived in [[16th century]], and the region got its initial character as a city when merchants of the [[British East India Company]] selected a fishing hamlet called Madraspatnam as a site for settlement in [[1639]]. Some believe that the British favoured the name "Madraspatnam" while the locals called it "Chennaipatnam", but this hypothesis is disputed. The [[England|British]] strengthened their position in the region in several steps until the end of the [[18th century]], following which Madras became an important English [[navy|naval base]] and the administrative centre of the growing British dominions in southern India. When the British eventually gained control over most of southern India, they integrated the region into the [[Madras Presidency]] and Madras became its capital. During the [[First World War]], Madras was bombarded by Emden, a German ship. It remained the only Indian city that was attacked during the Great War. After [[Indian independence|independence]] in [[1947]], the city became the capital of [[Madras State]], renamed Tamil Nadu in [[1956]].
In [[1996]], the state government renamed the city from "Madras" to "Chennai". According to most accounts, this was in accordance with the names "Madraspatnam" and "Chennaipatnam", but this hypothesis is disputed.
In [[December 2004]], about 200 people in Chennai were killed by a [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|tsunami in the Indian Ocean]]. Most of the casualties were fishermen and unlucky early morning joggers. The city was otherwise not significantly affected.▼
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*Strained [[infrastructure]], especially a shortage of [[potable water]]
The city's population has grown from [http://www.sampatti.com/news/urban3.shtml 1.54 million] in [[1951]] to [http://www.chennaicorporation.com/general_stats.htm 4.2 million] in [[2001]]. The population of the metro area is expected to grow from about 6 million in [[2001]] to about [http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/hud2004-05-8.htm 9.5 million] by [[2011]]. Due to structural and legal constraints in the city, tall buildings are not generally favoured, especially if they are residential buildings. Most residential buildings in the city are four stories or shorter. This has caused the city to spread outwards by a large extent. The area administered by the Chennai Corporation is about 172 [[square kilometer|km²]]<sup>[http://www.chennaicorporation.com/general_stats.htm]</sup>, which is a small fraction of the total 1177 [[square kilometer|km²]] currently urbanized.<sup>[http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/hud2004-05-8.htm]</sup>
Consequently, the average commute distance and number of vehicles on the streets have both increased, the latter factor also being aided by the city's strong economic growth. [[Air pollution]] is considerable due to a large number of [[two-stroke engine]]s used in [[auto rickshaw]]s and [[moped]]s, and [[diesel]] fuel used by [[bus]]es and [[truck]]s. It is more unpleasant in combination with the high temperatures and humidity. The Cooum and the Adyar rivers are both heavily polluted. The Cooum in particular has been severely polluted with sewage from slums on its banks, effluents from some business establishments, and plastic bags. The Adyar, which is much less affected, is desilted and cleaned periodically.
[[As of 2001]], about [http://www.tn.gov.in/economy/eco-oct2001-12.htm 25%] of the city's population were classified as living in [[slum]] conditions. The overall literacy rate is about [http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/statistics/table7and8.htm 80%]. Nearly all the illiterate people in Chennai live in slum conditions.
The large population has strained some of the city's urban [[infrastructure]]. While most agencies have been able to cope, the city's [[water supply]] in particular has proved inadequate for its population, and an over-reliance on annual [[monsoon]] rains to replenish water [[reservoir]]s has compounded problems. There had been some attempts to pipe in water from other sources, such as the [[Veeranam]], a water-rich place in Tamil Nadu, or from the [[Krishna River]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The [[Veeranam]] Project has proved unsuccessful so far, in part due to mismanagement of project funds and in part due to the nature of state politics <sup>[http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2110/stories/20040521004009700.htm]</sup> and [http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20050423232332&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0 has been axed] 24 April 2005. Water from the Krishna is occasionally pumped to the city, but has become infeasible due to political squabbles between Tamil Nadu, [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Karnataka]] over sharing river water. A large part of the city now buys water commercially from tankers, and [[rainwater harvesting]] has become an essential and widespread practice. Selling water has become a lucrative industry, and has attracted several entrepreneurs and companies including both Coca Cola and Pepsi which sell water under the [[Kinley]] and [[Aquafina]] brands respectively.
▲In [[December 2004]], about 200 people in Chennai were killed by a [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|tsunami in the Indian Ocean]]. Most of the casualties were fishermen and unlucky early morning joggers. The city was otherwise not significantly affected.
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