Kolcata

BY JOSEPH STAED AND KEELAN CREAVEN

Introduction to Kolkata

Till the 17th century, Kolkata (known as Calcutta till

2001) was nothing more than a village. But today it is
one of the major metropolitan cities of India along with
Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
The credit for its current status goes to the expansion
of the European powers, especially the British Empire.
Kolcata was once the capital city of British India and
also the Gateway to India till 1912.
It is a major commercial city consisting of big
industrial plants and corporate houses.
Location
Location

Kolkata is a city found in West Bengal region in the east

of India.
Itis located 22.56 latitude and 88.36 longitude and it is
situated at elevation 11 meters above sea level.
It has spread linearly along the banks of the River Hooghly.
The Bay of Bengal coastline is located about 60 miles to
the south of Kolcata.
Climate

Kolkata
has a subtropical wet-and-dry climate, with
summer monsoons.
Temperature- Winter (12-27C), Summer (24-38C).
The average annual rainfall is 160cm.
A Monsoon in Kolcata
History of Kolcata

Kolcata is not an ancient city like Delhi, with its impressive relics of
the past.
It is largely a British creation which dates back just 300 years and
was the capital of British India until the beginning of this century.
In 1686, the British abandoned Hooghly, their trading post 38km
up the Hooghly River from present-day Kolcata, and moved
downriver to there small villages- Sutanati, Govindpur and
Kailkata.
Most of Kolkatas most enduring development took place between
1780 and 1820.
Later in the 19th century, Bengal became and important centre in
the struggle for Indian independence, and this was a major reason
for the decision to transfer the capital to Delhi in 1911.
Population
Population

Kolkata has an estimated population of 4.6 million.

The largest urban area that includes the suburbs has a
population of more than 14.3 million, which makes it
India's 3rd most populous metropolitan area.
The city has a very high population density of 24,000
people per square kilometer, or 63,000 per square
mile. This is one of the world's highest densities.
Kolkata suffers from overcrowding as a result of its
massive population.
Religion

Being a cosmopolitan city, Kolkata represents a blend of

different religions.
Majority of people inhabiting Kolkata are Hindus.
Muslims are in minority.
Other minority communities include Christians, Buddhist,
Sikhs and Jains.
Hindus Worshipping in a Temple
Employment

People in poor districts work as taxi drivers, skilled

tradesmen, and factory workers.
Men provide services such as street-side typists,
tailors, and shoe repair and leather workers.
If people dont work, they cant afford to provide food
for their families.
Where they live

A large number of people from the countryside migrate to

Kolkata because of evictions, famine, floods, violence and
poverty.
In residential districts, three generations of one family live
in a very small home. When weather permits, many people
sleep on the street or on the roof.
Newly-arrived, poor migrants to the city live in makeshift
dwellings of plastic and waste timber in shantytowns.
These are found near railway stations and in open ground
at the edge of the city.