* India: The majority of Tamil people reside in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. They also have significant populations in other parts of India, including Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Pondicherry.
* Sri Lanka: The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka constitutes a significant proportion of the island's population. They are primarily concentrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.
Beyond these two countries, Tamil communities can also be found in:
* Malaysia: There is a large and established Tamil community in Malaysia, primarily concentrated in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
* Singapore: Singapore also has a substantial Tamil population, with a strong presence in business, education, and culture.
* Other countries: There are smaller Tamil communities in other countries, such as Mauritius, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
It's important to note that these are just the major areas of Tamil presence. Tamil diaspora communities are dispersed throughout the world, contributing to the richness and diversity of the Tamil language and culture.