Tamil Nadu was formed by the
reorganisation of the Madras State. Agriculture is the main occupation
of the people. Total area under cultivation is 6.56 million hectares and
the principal crops are rice, millet, maize, pulses, sugarcane, cotton,
oilseeds, coconut, cashews, groundnut, tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom.
The major industries are heavy commercial vehicles, auto components,
railway coaches, power pumps, leather, cement and sugar etc. Mineral
resources of the State include limestone, lignite, magnesite, mica,
gypsum, black granite, quartz, salt and bauxite. Chennai and Tuticorin
are the major ports. Tamil Nadu has long, hot summers, and warm
winters.The average rainfall is 102 cm.