West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in eastern India that stretches from the Himalayas in the north through fertile river plains to the Sundarbans mangrove forests in the south. The coastline borders the Bay of Bengal, while dense forests and hilly terrain characterize the western edge.

In 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines, forming West Bengal as part of India. The partition triggered large population movements and shaped the political and social landscape of the region for decades to come.

The Bengali language shapes daily life in schools, markets, and theaters, where dialects and phrases reflect regional identity. Local festivals such as Durga Puja transform entire neighborhoods into open-air art spaces, where people gather to celebrate together and observe religious traditions.

The state has an extensive network of railways, national highways, and waterways that connect northeast India with the rest of the country. Travelers can choose between different modes of transport to reach cities, rural areas, and remote mountain regions.

Tea plantations in the Darjeeling district grow at high altitude near the mountains, where climate and soil conditions produce different flavor profiles depending on the season. Harvesting occurs in several plucking periods each year, resulting in varying qualities that connoisseurs distinguish by season.

Location: India

Inception: January 26, 1950

Capital city: Kolkata

Elevation above the sea: 500 m

Reference: WB

Shares border with: Assam, Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajshahi Division, Rangpur Division, Khulna Division

Website: https://wb.gov.in

GPS coordinates: 22.56667,88.36667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:38