West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India. It is the fourth most populous state in India, with over 91 million inhabitants. The state capital is Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta. West Bengal is known for its rich culture, literature, and history.

Geography

West Bengal is located on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 square kilometers. It shares international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and domestic borders with five other Indian states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, and Assam.

History

The history of West Bengal dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. It was a part of several ancient pan-Indian empires, including the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire. During the British colonial period, it was a center of revolutionary activities, leading to the independence of India. Post-independence, West Bengal experienced significant political and social changes.

Culture

West Bengal has a rich cultural heritage. The state is known for its contribution to Indian literature, cinema, music, and fine arts. It is the birthplace of many famous personalities, including Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European Nobel laureate.

Economy

The economy of West Bengal is the sixth-largest state economy in India. It is primarily based on agriculture, with rice being the principal food crop. Other major sectors include steel, mining, and textiles.

Education

West Bengal has a literacy rate of 77.08%, according to the 2011 census. The state is home to some of the premier educational institutions in India, such as the University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University, and Indian Statistical Institute.

Politics

The politics of West Bengal is dominated by the All India Trinamool Congress, with Mamata Banerjee as the current Chief Minister. The state has a unicameral legislature, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, with 294 seats.