This is a list of areas and neighbourhoods in Chennai by region. The city, spanning an area of 1,189 square kilometers, is divided on the basis of composition into four major parts: North, Central, South and West. North Chennai is primarily an industrial area while some areas are residential. Central Chennai is the commercial heart of the city and the downtown area. South Chennai and West Chennai, previously predominantly residential areas are fast turning into commercial areas, hosting a large number of IT and financial companies along the GST Road, OMR and NH 48. North Chennai ends with the area Red Hills, West Chennai ends with the area Tiruninravur, South Chennai ends with the area Vandalur.