About West Bengal | Facts | Best Places To Visit
In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of West Bengal. West Bengal is a state in eastern India, known for its rich culture, history, and diversity. The capital city Kolkata is famous for its colonial architecture, vibrant festivals, and delicious food, especially rosogolla and macher jhol (fish curry). The state has many beautiful places to visit, like the Sundarbans, home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, and the hill stations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
| About: | West Bengal is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of 88,752 km2 (34,267 sq mi) as of 2011. The population estimate as of 2023 is 102,552,787. West Bengal ranks as the fourth-most populous state and the thirteenth-largest by area in India, making it the eighth-most populous country subdivision in the world. Located in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, it shares borders with Bangladesh to the east, and Nepal and Bhutan to the north. Additionally, it is adjacent to the Indian states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The capital city, Kolkata, is the third-largest metropolis and the seventh-largest city by population in India. West Bengal includes the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, the Ganges delta, the Rarh region, the coastal Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal. The state’s main ethnic group are the Bengalis, with the Bengali Hindus forming the demographic majority. |
| History: | The history of West Bengal basically refers to the history of the western part of Bengal, located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. Evidence suggests that human settlement in West Bengal dates back around 42,000 years. Archaeological findings indicate that this early human activity occurred in the Ayodhya Hills of the region. By 2,000 BCE, settled life had become more widespread in the Damodar-Ajay River Valley, coinciding with the Harappa-Mohenjo-Daro civilization. Additionally, the southern region of West Bengal was home to the Vanga kingdom from 1100 BCE to 350 BCE, which existed alongside the Vedic civilization in northern India. |
| Geography: | The Geography of West Bengal, a state in eastern India, is primarily defined by plains and plateaus, with the high peaks of the Himalayas in the north and the Bay of Bengal to the south. West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India, extending from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. It is situated between 85 degrees 50 minutes and 89 degrees 50 minutes east longitude, and 21 degrees 25 minutes and 27 degrees 13 minutes north latitude. The state covers a total area of 88,752 square kilometers (34,267 square miles). Sharing its eastern border with Bangladesh, West Bengal is part of the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. To the northeast, it is bordered by the states of Assam and Sikkim, as well as the country of Bhutan. To the southwest lies the state of Odisha. To the west, it shares borders with Jharkhand and Bihar, and to the northwest, it is adjacent to Nepal. The capital city is Kolkata, which is the third-largest urban agglomeration and the seventh-largest city in India. |
| Country : | India |
| Region: | East India |
| Capital and largest city: | Kolkata |
| Language: | Bengali, English |
| Population: | 91,347,736 (2011) |
| Literacy rate: | 80.5% (2017) |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Howrah Bridge, Kolkata Sundarbans National Park Darjeeling Kalimpong Sikkim (nearby) Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata Marble Palace, Kolkata Belur Math, Kolkata Digha Beach Shantiniketan Jaldapara National Park Duars Region Tiger Hill, Darjeeling Birbhum (Santiniketan) Cooch Behar Palace Murarai Tarapith Bishnupur Temples Mandarmani Beach |