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IX. THOOTHUKKUDI DISTRICT

Introduction with brief History

In 1986 Thoothukkudi District is carved out of the erstwhile Tirunelveli
district and named after V.O.Chidambaranar. Since 1997 as in the case of other

districts of Tamilnadu, this district has also been named after its headquarters town,
Thoothukudi. Traditionally known as “Pearl City” on account of the prevailing Pearl

fish in the past in the area, Thoothukudi has a fascinating history. The English
Captured Thoothukudi from the Dutch in 1782 and the East India Company

established their control over Thoothukudi in the same year.

Geographical Background

Location

Thoothukkudi District is located in the extreme south – eastern corner of
Tamilnadu. The district lies between 8º 19 ' N to 9 º 22 ' N latitudes and 77º 40' E to

78º 12' E longitutude. It is bounded on the north by the districts of Tirunelveli,
Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram and on the east and the south east by the gulf of

mannar and in the west and the south west by Tirunelveli district. The district extends
over an area of 4630.54 Sq.Km. The district comprises of eight taluks namely

Ettayapuram, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram, Sathankulam, Srivaikundam, Thoothukkudi,

Tiruchendur, Vilathikulam and twelve CD blocks viz Alwarthirunagari, Karungulam,
Kayathar, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram, Pudur, Sathankulam, Srivaikundam,

Thoothukkudi, Tiruchendur, Udangudi, Vilathikulam.

Physiography

Thoothukkudi area has an undulating plain sloping towards the sea coast with
sand dunes and backswamp. Thoothukkudi district has the coastal line of 163 km. The

sea water intrusion is noted in many parts of the district and the general drainage

pattern is collinear. Tamaraparani and Vaippar river with their distributaries constitute
the natural drainage.

Geology

The area is underlain by geological formations ranging in age from the

Archaean to recent. The Archaean rocks are mainly of composite gneisses, quartzites,