Coimbatore City (Kovai) is one of the top 10 fastest growing cities of India. Coimbatore district has a population of about 42.25 Lakhs (Census in 2001). Coimbatore is also a district capital. There are more than 25,000 small, medium, large scale industries and textile mills. Coimbatore, also known as the Manchester of South India.

Dating back to the Sangam age (3rd century B.C. to 3rd Century A.D.), history of Coimbatore highlights the city to have been formed part of the Kongu country and was initially inhibited by the tribes. The city was then annexed by the Rashtra Kutas and later by the Chola kings. The Chola rule was followed by the Chalukyas, pandayas and the Cysalas before falling under the hands of the Madurai Sultanets. However, during the wars fought between the years 1377-78, the kingdom was ruined due to the conflict between the of Muthu Veerappa Nayak and Tirumal nayak. Hyder Ali of Mysore took over the reigns of Coimbatore in the year 1799.

Coimbatore is the second biggest city of the southern state of Tamilnadu. There are about 50,000 small, medium and large scale industries. It has 5 universities, 25 Engineering Institutions & more than 100 arts & science colleges. Coimbatore city is strategically located at the junction of the three modern southern states Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka with proximity to many important cities of Southern India. It is well connected by air and surface transport. This friendly city has a salubrious climate and surrounded by major tourist spots, has always been a natural favorite with international tourists. The scenic hill stations of Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikannal, the historic temples of Perur, Palani, the historic city of Madurai, Guruvayur, the nearby exciting Kerala with its enchanting back-waters and ayurvedic health resorts to name a few are all a couple of hours drive.

Coimbatore is an excellent South Indian tourism spot, popularly known for its landscape spotted with divine shrines and temples. People who are greatly interested in textiles and hosieries must have to make their visit to Coimbatore, as it is well renowned for its textile and other engineering works. While the time of your visit, you can also sight-see quite other scenic areas amusement parks and botanical gardens.

Surface
Coimbatore is a place that is easily accessible by road. The State Transport Corporation and a lot of private operators operate regular bus services between Coimbatore and all the major cities of Tamil Nadu and also the states of Kerala and Karnataka. If you want to drive down to the city, keep in mind that NH47 is the main highway that connects it with the rest of India.

Train
There are two railway stations in the Coimbatore city, Coimbatore Junction and Coimbatore North Railway Station, of which the latter is the main one. Many important trains pass through the city, like Trivandrum New Delhi Kerala Express, Trivandrum-Nizamuddin Express, Coimbatore-Nizamuddin Kongu Express (Delhi bound), Kanyakumari-Bangalore Express, Bangalore-Coimbatore Intercity Express (Bangalore bound), Chennai- Coimbatore Cheran Express, Chennai-Coimbatore Kovai Express, Chennai-Coimbatore Intercity Express (Chennai bound) etc.

Air
Coimbatore Airport is situated at a distance of 12 km from the heart of the city and is well connected with the key cities of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kozhikode (Calicut). An international flight, to Sharjah (UAE), also operates from here. From the airport, you can either hire a taxi or take an auto rickshaw to the main city.