Yercaud
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox settlement Yercaud, also spelt Erkad,Template:Refn is a town and hill station in Salem District in Tamil Nadu, India. Located in Servarayan Hills in the Eastern Ghats, it is situated at an altitude of Template:Cvt.
History
Stone-age implements have been found near an ancient shrine located in the Servarayan Hills, about 5 km from the Yercaud lake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 1820s, M. D. Cockburn, the collector of Salem district facilitated the establishment of coffee plantations and citrus fruit saplings imported from South Africa. It was later discovered by Thomas Munro, the Governor of Madras Presidency in 1842 and popularized as a recreation retreat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Geography
It is located in the Shevaroy hills in the Eastern Ghats.<ref name="TT">Template:Cite web</ref> The total extent of Yercaud taluk is Template:Cvt including reserve forests.<ref name="SD">Template:Cite web</ref> It is situated at an altitude of Template:Convert above sea level, and the highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at Template:Cvt.<ref name="TG">Template:Cite book</ref>
Climate
Demographics
As per the 2011 census, Yercaud has population of 11,582. The sex ratio was 974 against the state average of 996. Literacy rate was 83.17%, higher than state average of 80.09%. Scheduled caste constituted 33.33% while Scheduled tribes were 15.50% of the total population. The town had 2,652 houses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Administration and politics
The taluk is administered as a township with a panchayat union headquartered at Yercaud.<ref name="SD"/> Yercaud is part of the Yercaud Assembly constituency which forms part of the Kallakurichi (Lok Sabha constituency).<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Economy
The economy of Yercaud is majorly dependent on tourism and agriculture. Coffee, orange, jackfruit, guava, black pepper and cardamom are grown around the region.<ref name="TT"/> Yercaud lake is a natural lake in the center of the town where there are boating facilities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Other places of interest include the deer park, bears cave, Kiliyur falls, rose garden, various view points and temples including Servarayan temple, Raja Rajeswari temple and Rama temple at Pagoda point.<ref name="SD"/>
Transport
The nearest airport is Salem airport at a distance of Template:Cvt, which has limited domestic flights. The nearest major airport is Coimbatore International Airport located Template:Cvt away.<ref name="TT"/> The nearest railway station is Salem junction at 34.5 km.<ref name="TT"/> Government owned TNSTC operates public buses from Yercaud to Salem, which is connected to other major towns.<ref name="TT"/>
Education
There are many residential schools in Yercaud including the Monfort school, established in 1917.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Shevaroys college is the only institute of higher education in the region.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notes
References
Template:Tourism in Tamil Nadu