A part of Indiaonline network empowering local businesses
Home city guide geography of puducherry

Geography of Puducherry

Map of PuducherryThe urban centre of Puducherry, fondly called as Pondy by the Tamil people is a union territory of India constituted out of four territories of former French reigned India. The union territory is just 162 km away from the southern metropolis of Chennai. The singular French nexus, leafy boulevards, beautifully projected town pattern, extravagantly elegant and refined beaches, salubrious climatic conditions; all with a spiritual touch makes Puducherry as a dream destination that attracts visitors from all over the world throughout the year.

The geographical feature of Puducherry is quite interesting that the union territory comprises of disassociated districts. Moreover, owing to its rich colonial history, a lot of foreign cultures entered the union territory of Puducherry in addition to the already thriving Tamil culture. French culture is one such culture, which created a lasting impact in the union territory and amalgamated with existing culture by nature. That is the primary reason that Puducherry is believably the only place in the country where French is included as an official language. Let's explore more about the geography of Puducherry.

Geographical Features of Puducherry

The union territory of Puducherry comprises of four modest disjointed territories or districts. They are Pondicherry district, Karaikal district, Yanam district on the Bay of Bengal and Mahe district on the Arabian Sea. Pondicherry and Karaikal are the most prominent regions, both as part of southern state of Tamil Nadu while Mahe and Yanam are territories of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

The union territory of Puducherry has an area of 190 sq mi (492 square kilometre), that is to say,
  • Pondicherry - 293 square kilometer
  • Karaikal - 160 square kilometer
  • Mahe - 9 square kilometer
  • Yanam - 30 square kilometer
A few of Puducherry's territories are themselves mergers of conterminous territories, oftentimes known as pockets in our country. The district of Pondicherry comprises of eleven such pockets; a few of them are diminutive and completely beleaguered by the districts of southern state of Tamil Nadu. The Mahe district comprises of three such pockets. This uncommon geographical feature of Puducherry is a bequest of the rich colonial history with Puducherry holding back the boundary lines of former French dominated India.

Population of Puducherry

Puducherry is a union territory with a population of just 12.48 lakhs as per the data from official census 2011 of Puducherry. The Census 2011 figure is an increment when equated to the Census 2001 figures which declared 9.74 lakhs population in Puducherry. The exact population figure of the union territory as per the official census 2011 of Puducherry is 1,247,953 of which male and female are 612,511 and 635,442 respectively.
Population Chart of Puducherry

Being one of the seven federal ruled territories of India, Puducherry has a more eminent population density of over 2000 people per kilometer square when compared to other Indian states. The population of the union territory has been rising at a rate of almost 30%, as disclosed by the official census 2011 of Puducherry.

Quick Facts - Puducherry Population Census 2011

  • Population: 1,247,953 (Rural - 395,200 & Urban - 852,753)
  • Male: 612,511
  • Female: 635,442
  • Population Growth Rate: 28.08 percent
  • Literacy Rate: 85.85 percent
  • Total Literates in Numbers: 957,309
  • Male Literates: 497,378
  • Female Literates: 459,931
  • Population Density: 2,547 per sq km
  • Sex Ratio: 1037 (Females per 1000 males)
  • Child Sex Ratio: 967

Climate of Puducherry

Puducherry is a major port city that is located very close to the sea coast. The union territory is having a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat and humidness in the atmosphere which can be assumed as the regular climatic conditions of Puducherry throughout the year. On the other hand, Puducherry follows through very hot summer seasons every year with mercury levels usually rising up to 40 degrees.

With the sea breeze (onshore breeze) all around, even the hot summer temperature will definitely not be like desert conditions. The summer temperature of Puducherry may vary between 24 degrees and 40 degrees. The summertime in the union territory is usually dry with a clear sky.

The wintertime in the union territory usually begins in the month of November and is brought about by the northeastern monsoon. The days and nights of monsoon rains make the atmosphere neither warm nor very cold. The monsoon rains on the west seashore of the Puducherry get the atmospheric condition pleasant during July and August. The winter time is chilled when equated to the summer times but the temperature never comes below 20 degrees.

The monsoon time of the year in Puducherry is very little likened to other parts of the country. The area experiences full rainfall usually from July to September and November to January. The rate of humidness is really eminent in Puducherry, which is most common in coastal regions.

Seasons of Puducherry

  • Summer: March through July; temperature varies between 24 degrees and 40 degrees
  • Winter: December through February
  • Monsoon: Monsoon on the west seashore adds irregular respite towards the ending of the month of July and in the month of August; Northwestern Monsoon during the month of October through December adds cooler atmospheric conditions

Rivers of Puducherry

Gingee and Pennaiyar

Gingee River or Senji River (79 km Long River) and Pennaiyar River are the major rivers of union territory of Puducherry. Gingee river covers diagonally from northwestern to southeastern side, while Pennaiyar river constitutes the southerly boundary line of Puducherry.

An arm of Pennaiyar river known as Malattar streams through the Puducherry. The renowned Cauvery river with its seven affluents streams through Karaikal area. Godavari is the exclusive and major river in the Yanam area, the rivers Mahe and Moolakadavu attend to Mahe area.

Mineral Resources of Puducherry

Some of the mineral resources and deposits found in the Union Territory of Puducherry include beach sands, phosphoric rocks, wood coal, brick clays, limestone, seashells, garnet sands, canker, and so on.

Soil Types of Puducherry

Some of the common soil types and sediments found in the Union Territory of Puducherry include delta alluvium, coastal alluvial sediment, red sandy, deep black aka black earths, red laterite and red loamy.

Major Cities You Must Know

Are you a Business Owner?

Add the products or services you offer

Promote your business on your local city site and get instant enquiries

+ LIST YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE