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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
[[Image:India West Bengal locator map.svg|thumb|Location of West Bengal]]
The '''Geography of [[West Bengal]]''', a [[States and territories of India|state]] in eastern [[India]], is primarily defined by plains and plateaus, with the high peaks of the [[Himalaya]]s in the north and the [[Bay of Bengal]] to the south.

==Location and extent==
[[Image:WestBengalDistricts numbered.svg|thumb|250px|[[Districts of West Bengal]]|alt=22nd District: Jhargram; 23rd District: Paschim Bardhaman]]
West Bengal is on the eastern neck of India, stretching from the [[Himalaya]]s in the north to the [[Bay of Bengal]] in the south. It lies between 85 degree 50 minutes and 89 degree 50 minutes east longitude, and 21 degrees 25 minutes and 27 degrees 13 minutes north latitude.<ref name=arsenicwb>{{cite web| url = http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb.htm| title = Groundwater Arsenic Contamination Status in West Bengal| access-date = 29 October 2006| work = Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in West Bengal – India (17 Years Study)| publisher = School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University| archive-date = 28 December 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121228044845/http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref> The state has a total area of {{convert|88752|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref name=area>{{cite web
| url = http://www.indianmirror.com/geography/geo9.html| title = Statistical Facts about India
| access-date = 26 October 2006| publisher = indianmirror.com
}}</ref> With [[Bangladesh]] on its eastern border, the state forms the ethno-linguistic region of [[Bengal]]. To its northeast lie the states of [[Assam]] and [[Sikkim]] and the country of [[Bhutan]]. To its southwest is the state of [[Odisha]]. To the west, it borders the states of [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bihar]], and to the northwest, [[Nepal]]. The capital of the state is [[Kolkata]], the [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in India|third-largest]] [[urban agglomeration]] and the [[List of most populous cities in India|seventh-largest city]] in India.

==Political geography==
[[File:Division_Of_West_Bangal_Map.jpg|thumb|[[Divisions of West Bengal]]]]

There are 23 districts and 5 divisions in West Bengal. The [[Burdwan Division]] consists of [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]], [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]], and [[Hooghly District|Hooghly]]; [[Medinipur division]] consists of [[Purba Medinipur District|Purba Medinipur]], [[Paschim Midnapore District|Paschim Medinipur]], [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]], [[Bankura District|Bankura]] and [[Purulia District|Purulia]]; the [[Jalpaiguri Division]] consists of [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]], [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], and [[Kalimpong District|Kalimpong]]; the [[Malda division]] consists of [[Uttar Dinajpur District|Uttar Dinajpur]], [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]], [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]] and [[Malda district|Malda]], and the [[Presidency Division]] consists of [[Kolkata District|Kolkata]], [[Nadia district|Nadia]], [[North 24 Parganas District|North 24 Parganas]], [[South 24 Parganas District|South 24 Parganas]] and [[Howrah District|Howrah]]. The newly added 7 districts are Ranaghat, Jangipur, Berhampur, Bishnupur, Sundarban, Icchemati and Bashirhat.

Each district is governed by a [[district collector]] or district magistrate, appointed either by the [[Indian Administrative Service]] or the [[West Bengal Civil Service]]. Each district is subdivided into Sub-Divisions, governed by a [[Sub-Divisional Magistrate|sub-divisional magistrate]], and again into Blocks. Blocks consists of [[Panchayati raj in India|panchayat]]s (village councils) and town [[Municipality|municipalities]].<ref name=arsenicwb/> Often, the districts north of the Ganges (i.e., [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]], [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], kalimpong, [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[North Dinajpur]], [[South Dinajpur]], and [[Malda district|Malda]]) are together called [[North Bengal]].

The capital of the state is Kolkata – the [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in India|third-largest]] [[urban agglomeration]]<ref name=uapop2011>
{{cite web |url= http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/india2/Million_Plus_UAs_Cities_2011.pdf |title= Urban agglomerations/cities having population 1 million and above|year=2011|work= Provisional population totals, census of India 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref> and the [[List of most populous cities in India|seventh-largest city]]<ref name=cityrank>{{cite web
|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title=Cities having population 1 lakh and above, census 2011|work= Provisional population totals, census of India 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> in India. [[Asansol]] is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata.<ref name=uapop2011/> [[Siliguri]] is an economically important city, strategically located in the northeastern [[Siliguri Corridor]] (Chicken's Neck) of India. Other major [[cities and towns in West Bengal]] are [[Howrah]], [[Durgapur, West Bengal|Durgapur]], [[Raniganj]], [[Haldia]], [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Kharagpur, West Bengal|Kharagpur]], [[Burdwan]], [[Darjeeling]], [[Midnapore]], and [[English Bazar|Malda]].<ref name=cityrank/>

==Landforms==
===Darjeeling Himalayan hill region===
{{main|Darjeeling Himalayan hill region}}
[[Image:Teestavalley.jpg|right|thumb|[[List of National Highways in India|National Highway 31A]] winds along the [[Teesta River]] near [[Kalimpong]], in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region.]]
Darjeeling Himalayan hill region is situated to the north of the state. This region belongs to the [[Eastern Himalaya]] range. The entire [[Darjeeling district]] (except the [[Siliguri]] subdivision and northern parts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts) falls under this zone, which starts abruptly from the [[Terai region]]. The deep gorges of [[Teesta River]], which runs from north to south have divided this mountainous region into two parts: the western mountains (west of Teesta) and the eastern mountains (east of Teesta).

==== The Western Mountains ====
[[Image:Kanchendzonga from sandakaphu.jpg|thumb| Singalila Range and [[Kangchenjunga|Kanchenjungha]] from [[Sandakphu]]]]
The western mountains are the higher part of Darjeeling Himalayan range, with an average height of {{Convert|2200|m|ft|abbr=on}}. They spread from Nepal border to the Teesta river, and primarily consist of two mountain ranges: the Singalila Range and the Darjeeling range. The [[Singalila Ridge|Singalila Range]] is located along the border of Darjeeling district and [[Nepal]]. It separates West Bengal from Nepal. Singalila starts from Western Sikkim and penetrates into Darjeeling district. It has four important peaks higher than 3,000 m: [[Sandakphu]] (3,636 m), [[Phalut]] (3,595 m), Sabargram (3,543 m), and [[Tonglu, West Bengal|Tonglu]] (3,036 m). Among the Himalayan ranges of this region, Singalila Range hosts Sandakphu (3,636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/attractions_activities/sandakphu|title=Attractions of Sandakphu|accessdate=8 March 2021|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112161946/https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/attractions_activities/sandakphu|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Kanchenjunga]] (the world's 3rd highest peak), [[Everest]] (world's highest peak), [[Lhotse]] (world's 4th highest peak), and [[Makalu]] (world's 5th highest peak) can be seen from the Singalila Range.

The Darjeeling range rises steadily from Terai area. Located within this range, [[Ghum, West Bengal|Ghum]] railway station (2,258 m) is the highest rail station in India. The famous [[Tiger Hill, Darjeeling|Tiger Hill]] (2,567 m) is situated at the middle of this mountain chain and is a viewpoint from which some of the world's tallest peaks can be seen, including Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. Three minor mountain chains start from Tiger Hill: Darjeeling Lebong in the north, Takdah Peshok in the northeast, and Bagora Dowhill in the south. Sinchal (2,615 m) is one of the well-known peaks here.

==== The Eastern Mountains ====
The eastern side of the Darjeeling Himalayan mountains are lower than the western side, with an average altitude of {{Convert|1900|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Durpin Dara and Chola are two major mountain chains of this part.

The Durpin Dara chain holds the highest peak of eastern part: Rishila, at {{convert|3121|m|ft|0}}. There are two peaks, Renigango (1,885 m) and Chhoto Sinchula (1726m) to the north of Jalpaiguri district. The Buxa hill is located at the east end of this region. Sangchuli is the highest peak of the Buxa hills. [[Kalimpong]] town is one of the well-known towns of this area.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (simply known as "toy train") has been listed in [[UNESCO]] world heritage sites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tourmyindia.com/heritage/darjeeling-himalayan-railway.html|title=Darjeeling Himalayan Railway|accessdate = 8 March 2021}}</ref>

===Terai region===

{{main| Terai}}
{{see also|Dooars}}
[[Image:Tea garden in dooars.jpg|thumb|A tea garden in Dooars with the background of the Himalayas]]

The Teesta River divides the area into two parts: the [[Terai]] to the west and the [[Dooars]] (or Duars) to the east. The Dooars region can be further subdivided into the Siliguri (Western) Dooars, the Jalpaiguri (Middle) Dooars, and the Alipur (Eastern) Dooars.

The Terai ("moist land") is a belt of marshy [[grassland]]s, [[savanna]]s, and [[forest]]s at the base of the Himalaya range stretching southwards about 38 km. Above the Terai belt lies the [[Bhabar]], a forested belt of rock, gravel, and soil eroded from the Himalayas. The Terai zone is composed of alternate layers of clay and sand, with a high water table that creates many springs and [[wetland]]s. The Terai zone is inundated yearly by the [[monsoon]]-swollen rivers of the Himalayas. The [[Terai–Duar savanna and grasslands]] is an ecoregion that stretches across the middle of the Terai belt, consisting of tall grasslands, savannas, evergreen forests, and deciduous forests [.

The Terai and [[Dooars]] region politically constitute the plains of [[Darjeeling District]], the whole of [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]] and [[Alipurduar district]], and the upper region of [[Cooch Behar District]] in [[West Bengal]]. The slope of the land is gentle, from north to south. The general height of the land is 80–100 m. The entire region is made up of sand, gravel, and pebbles laid down by Himalayan rivers including the [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Torsa River|Torsa]], [[Raidak]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Sankosh]], and [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]].

===North Bengal plains===
{{main|North Bengal plains}}
The North Bengal plains start from the south of Terai region and continue up to the left bank of the [[Ganges]]. The southern parts of the district [[Jalpaiguri]], [[North Dinajpur]] baring some extreme northern regions, [[South Dinajpur]], [[Malda district|Malda]], [[Alipurduar]] and southern part of [[Cooch Behar]] districts constitute this geographical region. The narrow land mass in the [[North Dinajpur district]] is known as Mahananda Corridor. This corridor runs north to south joining [[Malda district|Malda]] with the plains of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. The entire part of North and South Dinajpur is silt laden plain.

The [[Mahananda River]] divides the district of [[Malda district|Malda]] into two parts. The eastern part (known as Barind or Barendrabhumi) consists of undulating plains and ''[[Inselberg|tilas]]'', and is made up of old [[alluvium]] and is part of the [[Ganges Delta]]. In contrast, the western part is made up of new alluvium, and here the [[Kalindi River]] joins the Mahananda River. The area north of the Kalindi River is a lowland covered with [[swamp]]s and [[beel]]s (small water bodies) and is known as ''tal''. In contrast, the area south of the Kalindi is a very fertile land and is known as ''diara''.

The plain south of [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Alipurduar]], and [[Cooch Behar district]] is also made of new alluvium deposited by numerous rivers including the [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Torsa River|Torsa]], [[Raidak]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Sankosh]], [[Balason River|Balason]], [[Punarbhaba River|Punarbhaba]], and [[Atrai River|Atrai]] [1].

===Rarh region===
{{main|Rarh region}}
Rarh is the region that intervenes between the [[Vajjabhumi]] and the Ganges Delta. This region is composed of parts of the districts [[Murshidabad]], [[Birbhum]], [[Bankura]], [[Purba Bardhaman]], [[Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Purba Medinipur]], and [[Paschim Medinipur]]. The region is about 50–100 m above [[sea level]], and is believed to consist of soil from the [[Geography of India#The Peninsular Plateau|Deccan plateau]]. The area is formed by the silt brought by the tributaries of the [[Bhagirathi River|Bhagirathi]], [[Mayurakshi River]], [[Ajay River]], [[Damodar River|Damodar]], and [[Rupnarayan River|Rupnarayan]] rivers, which flow through the red [[laterite soil]] of the western plateau region. The land is sloped from west to southeast, and the formation of natural [[levees]] along the riverbanks is a common phenomenon.

===Coastal plain===

[[File:Shankarpur, 2004.JPG|thumb|[[Shankarpur]] beach near [[Digha]] is a part of this coastal plain]]

A small coastal region is on the extreme south of the state. A part of the district of [[Purba Medinipur]] along the [[Bay of Bengal]] constitutes the coastal plain. This emergent coastal plain is made up of sand and mud deposited by rivers and wind. Parallel to the coast are areas of sand dunes and marsh. The [[Digha|Digha dunes]] lie nearest to the [[Bay of Bengal]], while the Kanthi dunes are the farthest from it. In some areas, dunes occur at a distance of 15–16 km from the coast and are 11–12 m high [2].

===Western plateau and high lands===
{{main|Vajjabhumi}}

[[File:Susunia.jpg|thumb|Susunia hill]]The western part of [[Purulia]], [[Bankura]], [[Birbhum]], [[Bardhaman]], and [[Paschim Medinipur]] districts constitute the western plateau and highlands, which form the eastern fringes of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. Geologically, this area is made of [[igneous rocks]] of the [[Archean|Archaean]] era as well as coal-bearing [[mudstone]] and [[quartzite]] rocks of [[Carboniferous]] period. Because of long and continuous erosion, the whole region has been transformed into an undulating [[peneplain]]. This area is interspersed by small [[monadnocks]] locally known as ''tila''. Some of the important hills in the area include [[Ajodhya Hills]] (677 m), Panchet (643 m), and [[Baghmundi]] in Purulia, and [[Biharinath]] (452 m) and [[Susunia]] (442 m) in Bankura. Gorgaburu in the Ayodhya Hills (677 m) is the highest point in the region.

The average altitude in the area ranges from 100 to 500 m. The area has a slope from the west to the east.

There are some [[badlands]] in this region. The Sinhati Badlands are located 4 km northwest of Bishnupur town in the Sinhati area of Bankura district.<ref>{{Citation|last=Kar|first=Nabendu Sekhar|title=Lateritic Badland of Sinhati, Bankura, West Bengal: A Geomorphic Investigation|date=2016-01-09|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290542359|work=Springer Geography|pages=19–31|isbn=978-3-319-26443-1|access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref> The Gangani (or Garbheta) Badlands are located in Paschim Midinipur district beside river Shilabati. These badlands are also known as Grand Canyon of West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mandal|first1=Rahul|last2=Chakrabarty|first2=Premangshu|date=2021-06-01|title=Badlands of Gangani in West Bengal, India: An assessment on account of geotourism development|journal=International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks|series=Exploration of Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism|language=en|volume=9|issue=2|pages=147–156|doi=10.1016/j.ijgeop.2021.02.001|s2cid=233918897 |issn=2577-4441|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Ganges delta===
{{main|Ganges Delta}}

[[Image:Ganges River Delta, Bangladesh, India.jpg|thumb|Ganges river delta, in Bangladesh and India]]

The Ganges Delta covers the entirety of [[Nadia district|Nadia]], [[Kolkata]], [[North 24 Parganas]], and [[South 24 Parganas]] districts, and the eastern half of [[Murshidabad district]]. The Ganges passes through this vast area and divides into three distinct parts: the old delta, the mature delta, and the active delta.

The old delta consists of the districts of Murshidabad and Nadia. The formation of delta is complete and the rivers here are heavily silted and many have even dried up over time. Silted rivers, swamps, [[beel]]s, and [[oxbow lake]]s form the area. This area is also known as Bagri region.

The districts of [[Kolkata]] and North 24 Parganas form mature delta region. The rivers are slow and meandering and frequently shift their courses. Swamps, [[beel]]s, and oxbow lakes characterise the scenery. The district of South 24 Parganas is known to be the active delta of the Ganges, where the formation of the delta is still an ongoing process.

==Agro-climatic groups==

[[Image:PaddyandjuteBengal.JPG|thumb|Agriculture is leading occupation in the state. Shown here are freshly sown saplings of paddy; in the background are stacks of jute sticks.]]
Depending on soil and climate variations, West Bengal can be divided into six broad divisions:<ref name=hdrchap1>{{cite book
|title = West Bengal Human Development Report 2004
|year = 2004
|url = http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/
|access-date = 26 August 2006
|publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal
|isbn = 81-7955-030-3
|pages = 176–178
|chapter = Environmental Issues
|chapter-url = http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/WB%20HDR%202004/Chap9.pdf
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060527075941/http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/
|archive-date = 27 May 2006
}}</ref>

*The hill region in the north
*The Terai and Teesta alluvial region of North Bengal
*The laterectic, red and gravely undulating region in the west
*The coastal alluvial region in the south
*The Gangetic alluvial region in the east
*The Vindhya alluvial region in the centre

==Rivers==
[[Image:HooghlyRiverOverBally gobeirne.jpg|thumb|Hooghly River viewed over the town of [[Bally, Howrah]]]]
The [[Ganges]] enters West Bengal near [[Rajmahal]] and then flows in a southeasterly direction. It divides in two near north of [[Dhulian]] in [[Murshidabad district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> One branch enters Bangladesh as the [[Padma River|Padma]] (or ''Pôdda''), while the other flows through West Bengal as the Bhagirathi and [[Hooghly River]] in a southern direction. The Bhagirathi-Hooghly is the main river in West Bengal, and flows past some of the important cities like [[Murshidabad]], [[Baharampur]], [[Nabadwip]], [[Chinsurah]], [[Chandannagar]], [[Srirampur, India|Srirampur]], [[Howrah]], [[Kolkata]], [[Diamond Harbour]], and [[Haldia]]. It empties into [[Bay of Bengal]] near [[Sagar Island]] in the [[South 24 Parganas]] district.<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

Numerous rivers flow eastwards through West Bengal and join the Bhagirathi on the right bank.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> These include:

* The [[Mayurakshi River]]—which is fed by the [[Brahmani River (Birbhum)|Brahmani]], [[Dwarka River|Dwarka]], [[Bakreshwar River|Bakreshwar]], and [[Kopai River|Kopai]]—joins the Bhagirathi near [[Kandi, Murshidabad]].
* The [[Ajay River]], which rises in the hills of [[Bihar]] and is joined by the [[Kunur River|Kunur]], flows down the plateau fringe, marking the boundary between [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]] and [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]] districts and joining the Bhagirathi near [[Katwa]].
* The [[Damodar River]] joins the Bhagirathi near [[Uluberia]]. The river is also known as "the sorrow of Bengal", and controlled by the [[Damodar Valley Project]].
* The [[Dwarakeswar River|Dwarakeswar]] and [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] rivers join to form the [[Rupnarayan River]]. The [[Kangsabati]] and [[Keleghai River|Keleghai]] rivers join to form the [[Haldi River]].<ref name="hsecogeo" /> The Rupnarayan and Haldi then join the Bhagirathi in the [[East Midnapur district]].
* The [[Subarnarekha River]], after flowing for a short distance in West Bengal, re-enters into [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] [1].

Similarly, several rivers flow westwards into West Bengal and join the Bhagirathi on its left bank.<ref name="hsecogeo" /> These include:

* The [[Bhairab River]] and the [[Jalangi River]], which join together (then known as Jalangi) before joining the Bhagirathi.
* The [[Mathabhanga River]], which divides into two branches: the [[River Churni|Churni]] and [[Ichamati River|Ichhamati]]. The Churni meets the Bhagirathi, while the Ichhamati flows southwards and joins the [[Kalindi River]].<ref name="hsecogeo" />

These rivers carry with them plenty of water, keeping the Bhagirathi River submerged with water throughout the year. The rivers also carry silt and sand eroded from the western plateaus and deposit them in the Bhagirathi. This silting causes trouble for the [[Kolkata Port]] and often causes flooding during years of heavy rain.<ref name="hsecogeo" />

The [[Sunderbans]] region is covered by numerous estuaries and streams, mainly distributaries of main rivers [3]. The rivers are interconnected and are fed by tidal waters. The major rivers of the area are the [[Hooghly River|Hooghly]], [[Matla River|Matla]], [[Gosaba River|Gosaba]], [[Saptamukhi River|Saptamukhi]], [[Haribhanga River|Haribhanga]], [[Piyali River|Piyali]], [[Thakuran River|Thakuran]] (or Jamira), [[Raimangal River|Raimangal]], [[Kalindi River|Kalindi]], and [[Ichamati River|Ichhamati]] [4].<ref name="hsecogeo" />

The [[Teesta River]] cuts deep [[Canyon|gorges]] from north to south in the mountainous Darjeeling district. It then enters the plains at [[Sevoke]] and flows in a mighty stream in a straight line towards the southeast, until it pours into the [[Brahmaputra River]] in Bangladesh.<ref name="hsecogeo" />

The [[Torsa]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Kaljani]], [[Raidak]], [[Sankosh]], and [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]] rivers originate in the northern hilly region which rise in the [[Himalayas]] and flow in a southerly direction through the districts of [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]] and [[North Dinajpur|North]] and [[South Dinajpur]], before entering [[Bangladesh]]. As most of the rivers are fed by snow, they are perennial in nature and often flood during the rainy season.<ref name="hsecogeo" /> The entire region is made up of sand, gravel, and pebbles laid down by these rivers.<ref name="hsecogeo" /> The Mahananda rises from the Dow Hills forest, near the town of [[Darjeeling]], and runs in a zig-zag course through the district of Malda and joins the Padma in Bangladesh. In the central region, the main river is the Mahananda.{{Clarify|date=December 2022}} The [[Tangon River|Tangon]], [[Punarbhaba River|Punarbhabha]], and [[Atrai River|Atrai]] rivers arise in the plains; the former two join and flow into the [[Mahanadi]], while the Atrai flows into the Padma [1].

==Wetlands==
{{main|Sundarbans}}
[[Image:Sundarbans 02.jpg|thumb|[[Heritiera littoralis|Sundari trees]] in the Sundarbans]]
The Sundarbans delta is the largest [[mangrove]] forest in the world, situated in the [[South 24 Parganas]] district. It lies at the mouth of the [[Ganges River|Ganges]] and is spread across areas of [[Bangladesh]] and West Bengal. The Bangladeshi and Indian portions of the jungle are both [[UNESCO world heritage]] sites, separately listed as the Sundarbans and [[Sundarbans National Park]] respectively, though they are parts of the same forest [3]. The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of [[tide|tidal]] waterways, [[mudflat]]s, and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and present an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes [4].

The average elevation of the area is 10 m. This area has been created by the deposition of silt from its numerous rivers—the [[Hooghly River|Hooghly]], [[Matla River|Matla]], [[Thakuran River|Jamira]], [[Gosaba River|Gosaba]], [[Saptamukhi River|Saptamukhi]], and [[Haribhanga River|Haribhanga]]—and their tributaries. The formation of the delta is an ongoing process, and new [[wikt:Special:Search/bars|bars]] and islands are being created along the rivers and at the river mouth. A large percentage of the area is underwater during incoming tides.

The area is known for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these is the [[royal Bengal tiger]], but numerous species of [[bird]]s, spotted [[deer]], [[crocodile]]s, and [[snake]]s also inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area [5].{{citation needed |date=August 2016}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of West Bengal}}
[[Image:Wb-climate.gif|thumb|Average annual rainfall in West Bengal]]
[[Image:Kalinagar Floods B.JPG|thumb|Many areas flood during the heavy rains brought by monsoon]]
West Bengal's climate varies from [[tropical savannah]] in the southern portions to [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] in the north. The main seasons are summer, rainy season, a short autumn, and winter. While the summer in the delta region is noted for excessive humidity, the western highlands experience a dry summer like northern India, with daily high temperatures ranging from {{convert|38|°C|°F|0}} to {{convert|45|°C|°F|0}}.<ref name=webindia>{{cite web
| url = http://www.webindia123.com/westbengal/land/climate.htm
| title = Climate
| access-date = 5 September 2006
| work = West Bengal: Land
| publisher = Suni System (P) Ltd
}}</ref> At nights, a cool southerly breeze carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

In early summer, brief [[squall]]s and thunderstorms known as ''kal-baisakhi'' often arrive from the north or northwest.<ref name="kalboisakhi">{{cite web
|url = http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=kal-baisakhi1
|title = kal Baisakhi
|access-date = 5 September 2006
|work = Glossary of Meteorology
|publisher = American Meteorological Society
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060830065710/http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=kal-baisakhi1
|archive-date = 30 August 2006
}}</ref> Monsoons bring rain to the whole state from June to September. West Bengal receives the [[Climate of India#Monsoon|Bay of Bengal branch]] of the [[Monsoon#Indian Ocean Monsoon|Indian Ocean monsoon]] that moves in a northwest direction. Winter (December–January) is mild over the plains with average daily low temperatures of {{convert|15|°C|°F|0}}.<ref name="webindia" /> A cold and dry northern wind blows in the winter, substantially lowering the humidity level. However, the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill region experiences a harsh winter, with occasional snowfall at places.

==Natural resources==
[[Image:Wb-minerals.png|thumb|Map of mineral deposits in West Bengal]]

West Bengal stands third in India in terms of mineral production by state, contributing about one-fifth of the total mineral production of the country.<ref name="hsecogeo">{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=Sudhansu Sekhar |author2=Gupta, Sushmita |title=Higher Secondary Economic Geography |publisher=Indian Progressive Publishing |year=1977 |location=Kolkata |pages=316–359}}</ref>

[[Coal]] constitutes 99% of the minerals extracted in West Bengal. West Bengal is the third largest state for coal production, accounting for about half of India's total.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> Coal is extracted from about 228 mines in the [[Raniganj]] and [[Asansol]] region of [[Bardhaman district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> High grade [[bituminous coal]] is mined at [[Raniganj]], [[Dishergarh]], [[Santaldih]], [[Kulti]], [[Barakar]], [[Ghushik]], and [[Kajora]]. Coalfields stretch over an area of about {{convert|1550|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. The coalfields of Raniganj support the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt by providing fuel to the industries as well as generation of thermal power. [[Lignite]] mined in [[Darjeeling]] is used to make [[briquettes]]. Coal deposits are also found along the [[Ajoy river]] in [[Birbhum district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

[[Fireclay]] and [[china clay]] are also mined. West Bengal ranks next to [[Bihar]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] in production of fireclay.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> Most of this mineral is extracted in the Raniganj region, along with a small quantity extracted from [[Birbhum]] and [[Purulia district|Purulia]]. In 1993–94, 124,000 metric tons of fireclay were produced in West Bengal.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> China clay—used in the [[pottery]], [[paper]], [[textile]], [[rubber]], and [[paint]] industries—is unearthed at [[Mohammad Bazar (community development block)|Mohammad Bazar]] in Birbhum and [[Mejia (community development block)|Mejia]] in [[Bankura district|Bankura]]. The rest of the production comes from Purulia, Bardhaman, Darjeeling, and [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]].

[[Limestone]], [[copper]], [[iron ore]], [[wolframite]], [[manganese]], and [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]] are also mined in small quantities.<ref name="hsecogeo" /> Limestone—used in the [[cement]] industry—is mined in Bankura, Purulia, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> There are copper mines in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Small quantities of low-quality iron ore are mined in Bardhaman, Purulia, Birbhum, and Darjeeling.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> There is manganese in the [[Jhargram]] region of [[Paschim Medinipur]], Purulia, and Bardhaman. Wolframite is mined at [[Jhilimili]] in Bankura.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The state's production of dolomite comes from the [[Dooars]] region of Jalpaiguri. 38.5 thousand tonnes of dolomite were raised in 1993–94.<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

There are possible deposits of mineral oil and natural gas in the areas near the [[Bay of Bengal]], in [[Purba Medinipur]], [[Sundarbans]], [[South 24 Parganas]], and [[North Bengal]] plains.<ref name="hsecogeo" /> Research is ongoing in various places to locate natural gas.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geography of India by state or territory}}
{{Geography of India}}

[[Category:Geography of West Bengal| ]]
[[Category:Environment of West Bengal]]

Geography of West Bengal - Revision history

164.113.135.70 at 01:07, 27 May 2025