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Kolkata is the de facto cultural capital of India and a historically and culturally significant city in the historic region of Bengal. It is the second largest Bengali-speaking city in the world. It has the highest number of Nobel laureates among all cities in India.
- 9 m (30 ft)
- Southern Asia
- Overview
- Character of the city
- City site
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Kolkata, city, capital of West Bengal state, and former capital (1772–1911) of British India. It is one of India’s largest cities and one of its major ports. The city is centred on the east bank of the Hugli (Hooghly) River, once the main channel of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 96 miles (154 km) upstream from the head of the Bay of Bengal; there the port city developed as a point of transshipment from water to land and from river to sea. A city of commerce, transport, and manufacture, Kolkata is the dominant urban centre of eastern India.
The city’s former name, Calcutta, is an Anglicized version of the Bengali name Kalikata. According to some, Kalikata is derived from the Bengali word Kalikshetra, meaning “Ground of (the goddess) Kali.” Some say the city’s name derives from the location of its original settlement on the bank of a canal (khal). A third opinion traces it to the Bengali words for lime (calcium oxide; kali) and burnt shell (kata), since the area was noted for the manufacture of shell lime. In 2001 the government of West Bengal officially changed the name of the city to Kolkata. Area city, 40 square miles (104 square km); urban agglom., 533 square miles (1,380 square km). Pop. (2011) 4,486,679; urban agglom., 14,057,991.
Fashioned by the colonial British in the manner of a grand European capital—yet now set in one of the poorest and most overpopulated regions of India—Kolkata has grown into a city of sharp contrasts and contradictions. Kolkata has had to assimilate strong European influences and overcome the limitations of its colonial legacy in order to find its own unique identity. In the process it created an amalgam of East and West that found its expression in the life and works of the 19th-century Bengali elite and its most noteworthy figure, the poet and mystic Rabindranath Tagore.
This large and vibrant Indian city thrives amid seemingly insurmountable economic, social, and political problems. Its citizens exhibit a great joie de vivre that is demonstrated in a penchant for art and culture and a high level of intellectual vitality and political awareness. Crowds throng to Kolkata’s book fairs, art exhibitions, and concerts, and there is a lively trading of polemics on walls, which has led to Kolkata being dubbed the “city of posters.”
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Geography of India
The location of the city appears to have been originally selected partly because of its easily defensible position and partly because of its favourable trading location. The low, swampy, hot, and humid riverbank otherwise has little to recommend it. Its maximum elevation is about 30 feet (9 metres) above sea level. Eastward from the river the land slopes away to marshes and swamplands. Similar topography on the west bank of the river has confined the metropolitan area largely to a strip 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8 km) wide on either bank of the river. Reclamation of the Salt Lake area on the northeastern fringe of the city, however, demonstrated that the spatial expansion of the city is feasible, and further reclamation projects have been undertaken to the east, south, and west of the central area.
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Suburbs of Kolkata include Haora (Howrah) on the west bank, Baranagar to the north, South Dum Dum to the northeast, Behala to the south, and Garden Reach in the southwest. The whole urban complex is held together by close socioeconomic ties.
Kolkata has a subtropical climate with a seasonal regime of monsoons (rain-bearing winds). It is warm year-round, with average high temperatures ranging from about 80 °F (27 °C) in December and January to nearly 100 °F (38 °C) in April and May. The average annual rainfall is about 64 inches (1,625 mm). Most of this falls from June to September, the...
- DictionaryKol·ka·ta/kōlˈkädə/
- 1. a port and industrial center in eastern India, capital of the state of West Bengal and the second largest city in India; population 5,080,500 (est. 2009). It is situated on the Hooghly River near the Bay of Bengal.
Explore Kolkata (Calcutta), India's intellectual, artistic and cultural capital, with Lonely Planet's expert tips and recommendations. Discover its attractions, history, food, festivals, and more.
Jan 18, 2024 · Explore the vibrant history, art, and gastronomy of Kolkata, the City of Joy. From colonial-era architecture to bustling markets, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Bengal's capital. Kolkata, the City of Joy, radiates an indomitable spirit that intertwines history, art, and literature.
Aug 24, 2020 · Kolkata is a story that started over three centuries ago. Believed to have been founded by Job Charnock, an administrator who first came to the village of Sutanuti on 24 August 1690 to establish a factory for the East India Company, an idea which has been rejected by those who wish to decolonize the discourse.
- Condé Nast Traveller
Discover the best places to visit in Kolkata (Calcutta), India's largest city and cultural hub. Explore the city's landmarks, such as Victoria Memorial, Botanical Gardens, Howrah Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral. Discover its history, culture and cuisine with Lonely Planet's tips and guides.
Mar 29, 2021 · Discover the history, culture, and attractions of Kolkata, India's former capital and the heart of Bengal. Explore museums, palaces, markets, ghats, and more in this comprehensive guide.
