Tamil Nadu is a state on India's southeastern coast, with Chennai as its capital. Tamil, one of the world's classical languages, is central to the region's cultural life. Its landscapes range from the coastal plains and fertile Cauvery delta to the Western Ghats and their hill country. The state is also known for a long history of Tamil literature, music, and temple architecture, shaped by successive South Indian dynasties. These geographic and cultural features give Tamil Nadu a distinct place within India.