It is one of the states in the southern part of India. The region has been the home of the Thamil people since at least 500 BCE. Its official language Thamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for over 2000 years. Thamil Nāḍu is home to many natural resources, Hindhu temples of Dhravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.