About Kolkata

City of Joy”

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also the commercial capital of East India, located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. The city of Kolkata has 4.5 million residents, and the metropolitan area, including suburbs, has a population of approximately 15.7 million, making it the third most populous metropolitan area in India and the 13th most populous urban area in the world. The city is also classified as the eighth largest urban agglomeration in the world.<o:p> </o:p>

Kolkata was the capital of India during British rule. The city's documented history, however, begins with the arrival of the English East India Company in 1690, when the Company was consolidating its trade business in Bengal. Job Charnock, an administrator with the company was traditionally credited as the founder of the city. While the city's name was always pronounced "Kolkata" in the local Bengali language, its official English name was changed from "Calcutta" to "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation.<o:p> </o:p>

Kolkata has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As the former capital of India, Kolkata was the birthplace of modern Indian literary, artistic and scholastic thought. The people of Kolkata tend to have a special appreciation for art and literature; its tradition of welcoming new talent has made it a city of furious creative energy.<o:p> </o:p>

It holds the unique distinction of being home to Nobel laureates like Sir Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Sir C.V. Raman, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. <o:p> </o:p>

The city can boast of innumerable other legendary characters like Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Satyajit Ray - just to name a few.<o:p> </o:p>

Climate<o:p> </o:p>

The city has a subtropical climate and receives normal rainfall during this period. Cotton is the preferred fabric for the season.<o:p> </o:p>

Places to visit<o:p> </o:p>

If religion is topmost in your list of priorities then Kalighat Kali Temple, Dakshineswar Temple, Belur Math, Nakhoda Masjid, St. Paul's Cathedral, Pareshnath Jain Temple are some of the places you must visit.<o:p> </o:p>

If you want a breath of fresh air, the green belt of Kolkata comprising of the Maidan, Eden Gardens and the Ganges riverfront will definitely soothe your nerves.<o:p> </o:p>

If you are in the mood for some enjoyment with your near and dear ones, The Victoria Memorial, The National Museum, Nehru Children's Museum, Science City, Nicco Park, Aquatica, Swabhumi, Zoological, Botanical and Agri-Horticultural Gardens and the Metro rail would be the ideal choice for you. <o:p> </o:p>

If shopping is either your passion or your compulsion then you would be spoilt for choice at the innumerable shopping complexes and malls which are widespread across the city.<o:p> </o:p>

For more details, please visit http://www.wbtourism.gov.in.<o:p> </o:p>