Salem, Tamil Nadu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salem
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Clockwise from top left: Mookaneri Lake, Modern Theatres, Trumpet Exchange Flyover, Salem Collectorate and Salem Steel Plant
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| Nickname(s):
Steel City
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 Salem
Location in Tamil Nadu
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| Country |  India |
| State |  Tamil Nadu |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Body | Salem City Municipal Corporation |
| Area | |
| • Metropolis | 91.34 km2 (35.27 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 799.59 km2 (308.72 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 5 |
| Elevation | 278 m (912 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Metropolis |  1,189,000 |
| • Rank | 55th |
| • Metro | 2,463,367 |
| • Metro rank | 37th |
| Demonym(s) | Salemians, Salethar |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| • Spoken | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
636xxx
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| Telephone code | +91-427 |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-TN |
| Vehicle registration | TN-27, TN-30, TN-54, TN-90 |
| HDI | 0.669 medium |
| Sex ratio | 987 ♀/ 1000 ♂ |
| Literacy | 84.42% |
| GDP per capita (2020–21) | ₹44,228,123 (US$750,000) |
Salem is a big city in Tamil Nadu, India. It sits by the Thirumanimutharu river and is surrounded by mountains. Salem is the fifth largest city area in Tamil Nadu. Only Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli are bigger. It's also the third largest city region after Chennai and Coimbatore. The city covers about 124 square kilometers. Salem is known for its silver anklets, sago (a type of starch), mangoes, steel, and textiles.
Contents
History of Salem
Early Times
Around 2,000 years ago, Salem was a busy place. We know this because Roman silver coins were found there in 1987. These coins were from the time of Emperor Nero (37–68 CE).
Later, different kingdoms ruled Salem. The Pandya dynasty was first, then the Pallava dynasty. A Pallava king named Mahendra Varma Pallava brought new religious ideas to Salem. After him, the Pandya dynasty ruled again. The Hoysala kingdom also controlled parts of Salem for a while.
Medieval Period
Salem was also part of the Chola Dynasty. A mosque in the city is thought to have been built by Tipu Sultan. He was a ruler from the Mysore Kingdom. Salem was an important stop on trade routes with the Roman Empire.
Later, local leaders called Poligars ruled the area. They built temples and forts. Salem then became part of the Vijayanagara empire. In the 18th century, Hyder Ali took over the city. It was given to the British in 1768. The area then became a battleground between local fighters and the British.
Modern Period
After India became independent in 1947, Salem became part of the Salem district. This district was one of the first to be formed in India on April 4, 1792. It was very large, including areas that are now Namakkal, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri. Alexander Reed was the first collector of the Salem district.
Salem is also home to one of India's first film studios, Modern Theatres.
Geography and Climate
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Salem is located at 11.67°N, 78.14°E. It is about 278 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded by hills. These include Nagaramalai to the north and Jarugumalai to the south. The Thirumanimutharu River flows through Salem, splitting it into two parts. The oldest part of the city is around the fort area.
Location of Salem
Salem is at the foot of the Shevaroy Hills. These hills are home to the famous hill station called Yercaud. Salem is about 140 km northwest of Tiruchirappalli. It is also 170 km northeast of Coimbatore. The city is about 206 km southeast of Bangalore. It is 346 km southwest of Chennai, the state capital.
Water Resources
The Mettur Dam is the main source of water for the entire Salem district.
Salem's Climate
Salem has a tropical climate. January and February are usually pleasant. The hot summer starts in March, with April being the hottest month. Thunderstorms happen in April and May before the monsoon season. The Southwest monsoon brings rain from June to September. The Northeast monsoon occurs from October to December.
| Climate data for Salem, Tamil Nadu (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.2 (99.0) |
39.4 (102.9) |
41.7 (107.1) |
42.8 (109.0) |
42.8 (109.0) |
42.8 (109.0) |
40.6 (105.1) |
39.9 (103.8) |
38.9 (102.0) |
37.9 (100.2) |
35.6 (96.1) |
35.6 (96.1) |
42.8 (109.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.1 (89.8) |
34.7 (94.5) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.8 (100.0) |
37.2 (99.0) |
35.0 (95.0) |
34.0 (93.2) |
33.4 (92.1) |
33.2 (91.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
31.0 (87.8) |
30.7 (87.3) |
34.0 (93.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19.2 (66.6) |
20.4 (68.7) |
22.5 (72.5) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.1 (75.4) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.1 (70.0) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 12.8 (55.0) |
11.1 (52.0) |
14.4 (57.9) |
16.5 (61.7) |
18.3 (64.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
18.9 (66.0) |
18.1 (64.6) |
18.5 (65.3) |
15.5 (59.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
11.1 (52.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 4.4 (0.17) |
3.4 (0.13) |
17.3 (0.68) |
55.5 (2.19) |
109.7 (4.32) |
72.4 (2.85) |
108.0 (4.25) |
140.6 (5.54) |
176.5 (6.95) |
185.5 (7.30) |
110.2 (4.34) |
35.0 (1.38) |
1,018.5 (40.10) |
| Average rainy days | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 6.3 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 9.9 | 6.4 | 2.6 | 57.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 45 | 36 | 33 | 40 | 49 | 55 | 57 | 58 | 61 | 69 | 66 | 56 | 52 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department | |||||||||||||
Economy and Industries
Salem is a big center for textiles in Tamil Nadu. It has over 125 spinning mills and weaving factories. The textile industry grew a lot after the 1960s. Many large spinning mills and dyeing units were built.
The area also has many factories that make sago. Sago is a type of starch. About 34,000 hectares of land in Salem district are used to grow cassava. Cassava is the plant from which sago is made. There are 650 factories that process tapioca, which is another name for cassava.
In 1981, a group called SAGOSERVE was started. It helps the sago industry. Salem's SAGOSERVE meets about 80 percent of India's need for sago and starch. The cassava plants in Salem grow very well. They produce 25–30 tons per hectare. This is one of the highest yields in the world.
The Salem Steel Plant makes stainless steel. It is part of the Steel Authority of India. The plant is growing and adding new facilities. Another company, JSW Steel, also has a steel plant in Salem. It makes special steel bars.
Salem is rich in minerals. It has some of the largest deposits of magnesite and bauxite in India. Several factories in Salem process these minerals.
Salem is also known for its mangoes. The "Salem Mango belt" exports mangoes to other countries. It also supplies mangoes across India. The Leigh Bazaar is the biggest market for farm products in the region.
The government is planning to build a large IT park in Salem. It will cover 160 acres. The Steel Authority of India is also planning a special economic zone for steel. An industrial area for electronics is in the Suramangalam part of the city.
Salem is famous for its silver jewelry. Many small businesses make silver anklets, toe rings, and other items. Big companies like Capgemini also have offices in Salem. The government is trying to get Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to build a factory in Salem. This is part of a big defense project.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1871 | 50,012 | — |
| 1881 | 50,667 | +1.3% |
| 1891 | 67,710 | +33.6% |
| 1901 | 70,621 | +4.3% |
| 1911 | 59,153 | −16.2% |
| 1921 | 52,244 | −11.7% |
| 1931 | 102,179 | +95.6% |
| 1941 | 129,702 | +26.9% |
| 1951 | 203,052 | +56.6% |
| 1961 | 249,145 | +22.7% |
| 1971 | — | |
| 1981 | — | |
| 1991 | 366,712 | — |
| 2001 | 696,760 | +90.0% |
| 2011 | 829,267 | +19.0% |
| Religious census | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent(%) | |||
| Hindu | 89.79% | |||
| Muslim | 7.48% | |||
| Christian | 2.36% | |||
| Jain | 0.11% | |||
| Sikh | 0.02% | |||
| Buddhist | 0.01% | |||
| Other | 0.2% | |||
| No religion | 0.02% | |||
In 2011, Salem had a population of 826,267 people. For every 1,000 males, there were 987 females. This is higher than the national average. About 79,067 children were under six years old.
Most people in Salem speak Tamil. The city's literacy rate was 76.37 percent. This means most people can read and write. This rate is higher than the national average.
In terms of religion, most people in Salem are Hindus (89.79%). Muslims make up 7.48% of the population. Christians are 2.36%. There are also smaller numbers of Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
Places of Worship
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Salem has many Hindu temples. The Kottai Perumal Koil is in the city center. It is also called Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem. This temple is one of five special temples.
The Kottai Mariamman Temple is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman. It has a five-day festival every year in July or August. The temple's tower has seven levels. The Sugavaneshwarar Temple is for the god Shiva. It was built in the 13th century.
The Jamia Masjid is Salem's oldest mosque. It is on the south bank of the Thirumanimutharu River. People believe it was built by Tipu Sultan. He was a ruler from the Kingdom of Mysore.
Christ Church is on Fort Road. It was built in 1875. The Lechler Memorial Church is the oldest church in Salem. A German missionary built it in 1856.
Shopping and Fun Activities
Salem's main shopping areas are in the Town area. You can find many shops on Bazaar Street and Chinna Kadai Street. Shevapet is known for hardware and furniture. Leigh Bazaar is the main market for wholesale goods.
Reliance Shopping Mall is the city's largest shopping complex. It is near Five Roads. Other malls include Nirmal Skywin mall and Kandaswarna Mega mall.
For outdoor fun, there's Kurumbapatti Zoological Park and Anna Park. These are parks run by the government. Paravasa Ulagam and Dream Land are amusement parks in the city. Mookaneri Lake is a popular spot for tourists and bird watching.
Yercaud is a major hill station. It is about 20 km from Salem City. The road to Yercaud is very scenic. Many people go there for walks and jogs in the morning. Yercaud is a popular place for weekend trips.
Local Food
Thattu Vadai Set, or "settu," is a popular street snack. It started in Salem. It's like a sandwich made with two crunchy thattai discs. Inside, it has crispy beetroot, carrots, and other vegetables. These are spread with green and red chutneys.
Norukkal Mix is another popular snack. It's made from crushed murukku mixed with chutney, peanuts, coconut, tomatoes, and chili powder. There are different kinds of Thattu Vadai Set, like Egg Settu and Murukku Settu. Salem has many restaurants with tasty vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Transportation in Salem
Road Network
Salem has six main roads. These include Omalur Road and Trichy Road. Three major national highways pass through Salem. These roads connect Salem to other big cities in India.
Salem is the main office for the Salem division of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. The city has two main bus stations. The MGR Integrated Bus Terminus is for long-distance buses. The Town Bus Station is for local buses.
The Anna Flyover is the oldest in the city. The Trumpet Interchange helps traffic flow better. A new double-decker flyover is also built in the city. It is the longest double-decker flyover in Tamil Nadu. It helps reduce traffic in busy areas.
The Town Bus terminus is being improved. It will become a double-decker bus station. This will be the first of its kind in the state. A new bus port is also planned for the city.
Rail Travel
Salem Junction is a very important railway station. It is about 5 km west of the city. In 2005, a new Salem railway division was created. It is the fourth largest division in the Southern Railway zone.
Salem Railway Junction is known for being very clean. It was rated as the cleanest station among its type in 2017. Other railway stations in the city include Salem Town and Omalur Junction.
Air Travel
Salem Airport is about 15 km from the city. It is on the Salem-Bengaluru Highway. The airport opened in 1993 for flights.
Flights stopped for a while but started again in October 2023. Now, you can fly directly from Salem to Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kochi. The closest major airports are in Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore.
Sports in Salem
Gandhi Stadium is used for many sports. It hosts cricket, football, volleyball, and basketball games. The Salem District Cricket Association has many teams.
Salem has two international standard cricket grounds. The Green Valley Sports club Cricket ground is outside the city. The Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium was opened in 2020. It is a modern stadium built for cricket. This stadium is the home ground for the Salem Spartans team. It is also a second home ground for the Chennai Super Kings.
T. Natarajan, a famous cricketer, is from Salem. He is known as "Yorker King" for his accurate bowling. He played a big part in India winning a cricket series in Australia in 2020.
Mariyappan Thangavelu is also from Salem. He is a Paralympic high jumper. He won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympic games. He was the first Indian Paralympian to win gold since 2004.
City Sports Teams
| Club | Sport | League | Home Stadium | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Spartans | Cricket | Tamil Nadu Premier League | Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium | 2016 |
Education in Salem
Salem has many schools and colleges. Arts and Science colleges are connected to Periyar University, which started in 1997.
The Government College of Engineering was founded in 1966. The Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College opened in 1986. The Indian Institute of Handloom Technology was started in 1960. A new Government Law College opened in 2019. Other important colleges include Sona College of Technology and Thiagarajar Polytechnic College.
Sister City
Salem has one sister city:
Salem, Oregon, USA
There have been talks about making this partnership stronger.
Famous People from Salem
Arts, Entertainment, and Television
- Sasi, a film director
- S. D. Sundharam, a Tamil writer
- Arivazhagan Venkatachalam, a Tamil film director
- Arthur A. Wilson, a cinematographer
- Taj Noor, a music director
- Satish, an actor
Science and Math
- A. R. Rao, an Indian mathematician
- Tiruvadi Sambasiva Venkataraman, an Indian botanist
Media
- P. Varadarajulu Naidu, who started The Indian Express newspaper
Sports
- Thangarasu Natarajan, an Indian cricketer
- M. R. Srinivasaprasad, a cricketer
- Mariyappan Thangavelu, a Paralympic high jumper and gold medalist
- P. V. Nandhidhaa, an Indian Chess player
Salem Day Celebration
Salem city was officially formed on November 1, 1866. The city celebrated its 100th birthday in 1966. On April 1, 1979, the city's local government became the Salem City Municipal Corporation. The date of November 1 is now celebrated as Salem Day. People all over the city celebrate its birthday every year.
See also
In Spanish: Salem (Tamil Nadu) para niños
