Ramanathapuram district

Ramanathapuram is an administrative district in southern Tamil Nadu that stretches along the coast and includes small fishing settlements. The flat land consists of sandy soils with palm groves and open fields that reach toward the Gulf of Mannar.

Under British rule the area belonged to the Madras Presidency and administered the coastal region until independence. After 1947 the territory became part of the new state of Tamil Nadu and received its current structure.

Fishermen rely on the sea for their livelihood and speak Tamil as the main language in their coastal settlements. Traditional nets and boats are still crafted and repaired at the harbor following inherited patterns.

Buses run regularly from larger towns in the region and bring travelers to the main settlements across the district. Ramanathapuram railway station sits on a branch line and is served by regional trains coming from Madurai.

In the shallow waters off the coast pearl diving still takes place today, with fishermen using the same techniques as their ancestors. The breeding grounds in the Gulf of Mannar are considered one of the few places where this old practice has survived.

Location: Tamil Nadu

Capital city: Ramanathapuram

Shares border with: Madurai

Website: http://ramnad.tn.nic.in

GPS coordinates: 9.28044,77.43360

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:53