Eastern India
West Bengal
West Bengal is a culturally vibrant state in Eastern India known for its literature, art, festivals, tea gardens, historical heritage, and the Sundarbans delta. Kolkata, the capital city, is one of India's major cultural, educational, and commercial centers.
100M+
People
88,752 km²
Area
23
Districts
42
LS Seats
Formed: 26 Jan 1950
Capital: Kolkata
Language: Bengali
Basic Information
State Name: West Bengal
Capital: Kolkata
Formation Year: 26 January 1950
Official Language: Bengali
Geography & Climate
Area: 88,752 sq km
Major Rivers: Ganga, Hooghly & Teesta
Landscape: Plains, hills, forests & delta regions
Climate: Tropical wet-dry climate
Political Parties
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M)
Indian National Congress (INC)
Administration
Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
Governor: C. V. Ananda Bose
Legislative Assembly: 294 Seats
Demographics
Population: 100M+ people
Literacy: ~77%
Major Cities: Kolkata, Siliguri & Durgapur
Urban Areas: Kolkata Metropolitan Region
Economy
Main Sectors: Agriculture, IT & manufacturing
Major Crops: Rice, tea & jute
Industries: Steel, textiles & petrochemicals
State Symbols
Animal: Fishing Cat
Bird: White-throated Kingfisher
Tree: Chatim Tree
Flower: Night-flowering Jasmine
Foods
Popular Foods: Fish Curry & Kosha Mangsho
Traditional Cuisine: Bengali cuisine
Sweets: Rasgulla, Sandesh & Mishti Doi
Tourism & Heritage
Heritage: Victoria Memorial & Howrah Bridge
Nature: Sundarbans mangrove forests
Hill Stations: Darjeeling & Kalimpong
Religious Sites: Dakshineswar & Kalighat Temple
Transportation
Major Airports: Kolkata & Bagdogra
Metro: Kolkata Metro — India's first metro rail
Ports: Kolkata Port & Haldia Port
Culture
Festivals: Durga Puja & Poila Boishakh
Arts: Rabindra Sangeet & Bengali literature
Crafts: Terracotta & Kantha embroidery
Education
Major Institutes: IIT Kharagpur & Jadavpur University
Research: ISI Kolkata & Bose Institute
Universities: University of Calcutta & Presidency University
Interesting Facts
Kolkata was the capital of British India until 1911.
Darjeeling tea is world famous for its flavor and quality.
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
West Bengal has a deep literary and artistic heritage.