The three Great Living Chola Temples are Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Airavatesvara (Darasuram), and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Meenakshi Temple is a Pandya temple, not a Chola temple, though it's a UNESCO site separately.

Textile and apparel manufacturing remains the largest employer in Tamil Nadu, though IT services are growing rapidly. Tamil Nadu produces about 40% of India's textiles.

Tamil Nadu's literacy rate as per 2011 Census was 80.3%, which is higher than the national average of 74.04%.

The Pallava dynasty (3rd-9th century) made significant contributions to Dravidian architecture (Mahabalipuram monuments) and developed the Grantha script which evolved into modern Tamil and other South Indian scripts.

Ramanuja (11th century) was a prominent Bhakti saint-philosopher from Tamil Nadu who propagated Vaishnavism and influenced the Bhakti movement in South India.

Dodabetta (2,636 m) in the Nilgiri Mountains is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu, located in the Ooty district.

The Tirunelveli-Tuticorin region is known for salt production, chemicals, calcium carbide, and halide product manufacturing.

Tuticorin (also known as Thoothukudi) is a major seaport in Tamil Nadu, besides Chennai Port. It handles significant cargo and is important for salt and chemical exports.

The Mahabalipuram Shore Temple, built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, is a Shiva temple dating back to the 8th century.

Rice is the primary crop of Tamil Nadu by area under cultivation, particularly in the Cauvery delta region, making it a major rice-producing state.