Coimbatore is the third largest city in Tamilnadu, With a population of more than 15 lakhs. There are more than 30,000 tiny small, medium and large industries and textile mills. The city is known for its entrepreneurship of its residents. The climate is comfortable round the year.
The city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal. Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd Century AD as a small tribal village capital called Kongunad until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd Century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. When Kongunad fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.