India:
* Tamil Nadu: This is the state in India where Tamil is the official language. It is spoken by a vast majority of the population.
* Puducherry: This union territory, also known as Pondicherry, has a significant Tamil-speaking population.
* Kerala: There are communities in Kerala, particularly in the southern districts, who speak Tamil as their native language.
* Andhra Pradesh: Some regions bordering Tamil Nadu, like the Nellore district, have a Tamil-speaking population.
* Karnataka: Areas bordering Tamil Nadu, like the Bangalore district, have some Tamil speakers.
Sri Lanka:
* Northern and Eastern provinces: Tamil is spoken by the Sri Lankan Tamil population in these regions.
Other parts of the world:
* Malaysia: A significant Tamil-speaking community exists in Malaysia, primarily in the states of Penang, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur.
* Singapore: Tamil is one of the official languages of Singapore, and there is a sizable Tamil-speaking population.
* South Africa: A Tamil diaspora community exists in South Africa, primarily in the city of Durban.
* Other countries: There are smaller Tamil-speaking communities in other countries like Mauritius, Fiji, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
It is important to note that the number of Tamil speakers in each region can vary significantly.