In this session, we will go through all Important Points related to West Bengal that can be asked in your exams. West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India and is surrounded by Bangladesh in the east, and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. It also borders the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim and Assam. State is divided into 23 districts with Purba Medinipur being the largest district of the State by area.

West Bengal: Short Notes on States of India

Also Read: Sikkim: Short Notes on States of India - For UPSC/SSC/PSC Aspirants

• West Bengal is the 13th Largest State by area and 4th most Populous state in the country.
• The regions of the West Bengal was part of many Important Kingdoms that includes Mauryan Empire and Gupta Kingdom.
• Kolkata is the Capital city of the State. It is also known as Cultural Capital of India.
• Due to its location, it acts as a strategic entry point to the markets of Southeast Asia.
• The cost of operating business in Kolkata is lower than the other metropolitan cities in India.
• State Animal is Fishing cat and State Bird is white throated Kingfisher.
• Darjeeling Himalayas is the major mountain range of the state.
• Darjeeling is also known as Queen of Himalayas.
• Small Portion of Chota Nagpur Plateau present in the state.
• There are no major Lakes and Ramsar wetland in the State.
• West Bengal's climate varies from tropical savanna in the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north. The main seasons are summer, the rainy season, a short autumn and winter.
• Major National Parks are Sunderbans National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Buxa National Park and Singalila National Park.
• There are two tiger reserves in the state: Buxa Tiger Reserve and Sundarbans Tiger Reserve.
• Sundarbans National Park is the Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.
• Major tribes of the State are Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Rabha, Santhal and Savar.
• Chau and Jatra is the popular folk dance of the state.
• Sandakfu(3636 m) is the highest Peak in the State.
• Damodar river is Known as the Sorrow of Bengal.
• Kolkata Metro is the Country first Underground railway.
• Ganga is the major river of the state.
• Kazi Nazrul Islam airport is the first private sector airport.
• Major Festivals of the state are Durga puja, Rasa Jatra, Charak, Gangasagar Mela, Kenduli Mela, Jalpesh Mela, Rash Mela and Poush Mela.
• GI Tags of West Bengal are Darjeeling Tea, Nakshi Kantha, Shantiniketan Leather Goods, Fazli Mango, Monsooned Malabar robusta coffee, Baluchari Saree, Dhaniakhali Saree, Gobindabhog rice and Banglar Rasogolla.
• State is the largest producer of Rice in India.
• State is also a Key producer of Petroleum and Petrochemicals.
• State remained the Second largest producer of Potato in India.
• State is the Second largest tea producing state in India and is very famous for Darjeeling Tea Variety.
• Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was the first Chief Minister of the State. More about West Bengal.
• Coal constitutes 99% of the minerals extracted in West Bengal. Other important mineral including fireclay, china clay, limestone, copper, iron, wolfram, manganese and dolomite are mined in small quantities.
• It is the second largest Fish Producing State in India.