The district of Erode was also known as the Periyar district in the past. The district has the main centre for the control of administration located in the city of Erode itself. The district is located in the western part of the state of Tamil Nadu. The district was a part of the district of Coimbatore but was later divided into Periyar district in the year 1979 which was later renamed in the year 1996 as Erode district. The district was under the rule of the Cholas and the Cheras in the medieval times. The district of Erode covers a land area of approximately around 5692 sq km with a population that approximately amounts up to 22.5 lacs individuals. The population density for the district of Erode is approximately around 397 people per sq km. The district has the two rivers of Bhawani and Kaveri flowing through the heartland of the district. Tamil is the official language of the people of the district.