# Mahé

> town in Puducherry, India

**Wikidata**: [Q277480](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q277480)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahé,_India)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mah-q277480

## Summary
Mahé is a town located in the Puducherry union territory of India, historically known as Mayyazhi. It serves as the administrative center of the Mahé district and is geographically situated within the Kannur district of Kerala. With a population of 36,828, it functions as a distinct enclave surrounded by the state of Kerala.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Town in Puducherry, India, geographically enclosed by the Kannur district of Kerala.
- **Administrative Division**: Capital of the Mahé district within the Puducherry union territory.
- **Population**: 36,828 residents.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 11.701111111111, Longitude 75.536666666667.
- **Official Website**: https://mahe.gov.in/
- **Aliases**: Mayyazhi, Mahe.
- **Classification**: Town (a settlement smaller than a city but larger than a large village).
- **Country**: India (Republic of India).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Mahé, India.
- **Wikidata Description**: Town in Puducherry, India.
- **Sitelink Count**: 44 (indicating presence across 44 language editions of Wikipedia).

## FAQs
**What is the historical and alternative name for Mahé?**
Mahé is historically and locally known as Mayyazhi, a name that reflects its deep roots in the region prior to its colonial and current administrative status. The name Mahe is also frequently used as a standard alias in international contexts.

**Where is Mahé geographically located relative to Indian states?**
Although Mahé is an administrative part of the Puducherry union territory, it is physically situated within the borders of the Kannur district in the state of Kerala. This unique arrangement makes it an enclave surrounded by Kerala on all sides.

**What are the specific geographic coordinates and population of the town?**
The town is located at latitude 11.701111111111 and longitude 75.536666666667. As per the available data, the recorded population of the town is 36,828 people.

**How is Mahé classified in terms of settlement size?**
Mahé is classified as a town, which is defined as a settlement that is larger than a large village but smaller than a city. In some administrative contexts, it may also be referred to as a large borough.

## Why It Matters
Mahé holds significance as a unique administrative anomaly within India's federal structure, serving as a district headquarters for the Puducherry union territory while being geographically isolated within the state of Kerala. Its existence highlights the complex history of French colonial enclaves in India, which were integrated into the Indian Union but retained distinct administrative identities. For researchers and historians, Mahé represents a specific case study in post-colonial territorial organization and the preservation of distinct cultural and administrative zones. Its status as a town with a dedicated district administration underscores the importance of localized governance in India's diverse landscape.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Enclave Status**: It is one of the few districts of Puducherry that is not contiguous with the main territory, being entirely surrounded by Kerala.
- **Historical Name Retention**: The town is widely recognized by its traditional name, Mayyazhi, preserving local linguistic heritage alongside the colonial name Mahé.
- **District Headquarters**: It serves as the primary administrative seat for the Mahé district, managing local governance for the Puducherry territory in that region.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Its precise location is defined by coordinates that place it firmly within the Kannur district of Kerala, despite its political affiliation with Puducherry.
- **Digital Presence**: The town maintains an official government portal at https://mahe.gov.in/, providing direct access to administrative services and information.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
Mahé is a town situated in the Puducherry union territory of India. It is classified as a settlement that is smaller than a city but larger than a large village, fitting the standard definition of a town. In specific administrative contexts, it may also be described as a large borough. The entity is recognized in the Wikidata database with the description "town in Puducherry, India" and is associated with 44 Wikipedia sitelinks across various languages. Its primary Wikipedia title is "Mahé, India."

### Geographic Location and Coordinates
Geographically, Mahé is located at latitude 11.701111111111 and longitude 75.536666666667. A defining characteristic of its location is that it is an enclave; while it belongs to the Puducherry union territory, it is physically surrounded by the Kannur district of the state of Kerala. The Kannur district is a district of Kerala, India, which serves as the immediate geographical context for the town. This unique positioning places Mahé within the southern Indian region, distinct from the other districts of Puducherry.

### Administrative Structure
Mahé functions as the administrative center for the Mahé district, which is a district of Puducherry, India. The district itself is part of the larger country of India, a sovereign state in South Asia. The town's governance is linked to the broader administrative framework of the Puducherry union territory. The official website for the administration is https://mahe.gov.in/, serving as the digital hub for local governance and public information.

### Demographics and Identity
The town has a recorded population of 36,828 people. It is known by several aliases, including "Mayyazhi" and "Mahe," which reflect its historical and linguistic identity. The name Mayyazhi is particularly significant as it represents the traditional name of the place. The entity is categorized under the broader "town" classification, which encompasses settlements of its specific size and function.

### Historical and Political Context
Mahé is part of India, a country that gained independence on August 15, 1947. As a district of Puducherry, it shares the historical legacy of French colonial rule in India before becoming part of the Indian Union. The town's existence as a separate district within Puducherry, yet surrounded by Kerala, is a result of the specific territorial arrangements made during the integration of French India into the Republic of India. The country of India, of which Mahé is a part, is the seventh-largest country by area and has a population exceeding 1.4 billion.

### Digital and Information Presence
The entity has a significant digital footprint, evidenced by a sitelink count of 44, indicating its coverage in 44 different language versions of Wikipedia. The primary Wikipedia page is titled "Mahé, India." The official government website, https://mahe.gov.in/, provides a direct link to administrative resources. These digital assets ensure that information regarding the town's administration, geography, and demographics is accessible to a global audience.

### Related Entities and Connections
Mahé is intrinsically linked to the Kannur district, which acts as its geographical container. It is also directly connected to the Mahé district, of which it is the seat. The town is part of the country of India, which is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, and G20. The relationship between Mahé, the Mahé district, and the Kannur district illustrates the complex administrative geography of the region. The town's classification as a "town" places it within a hierarchy of settlements that includes cities and villages, distinguishing its size and function within the Indian urban landscape.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File