The geography of Kolkata has played a substantial role in determining the prosperity of this vibrant Indian city. Kolkata is situated at the head of the Sunderban delta, on the eastern banks of the river Hooghly. Sunderbans is the largest mangrove delta in the world. The delta formed by the distributaries of river Ganga and Brahmaputra covers extensive areas of West Bengal in India, and Bangladesh.
Kolkata Relief
Kolkata city, with geographical coordinates - 22º 32' N and 88º 20' E lies just beneath the Tropic of Cancer. The Bay of Bengal, which lies to the south of Kolkata is approximately 120 km away. Being close to the sea, Kolkata's altitude is a little more than 5 meters above sea level. Physically, Kolkata is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the Hooghly River that flows on the western side of the city. The river Hooghly meets the Bay of Bengal in Ganga Sagar.
Kolkata, 600 km from the Himalayan Mountains, falls in the windward side and receives abundant rainfall.
Calcutta Climate
Kolkata climate has three broad distinctions namely, hot, rainy, and winters. Kolkata in West Bengal lying immediately south of the Tropic of Cancer falls is the tropic climatic zone. Summers, which last from mid March to mid June, are hot with temperatures ranging
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between 38º C and 24º C. Summer months in Kolkata are often accompanied by hot winds blowing over the Gangetic plains from north west. However, after sundown pleasant breeze from the sea soothes the weather.
The rainy season in Kolkata extends from mid June to end September. Kolkata falling on the windward side of the Himalayas receives substantial rainfall during the 'monsoon' or rainy season. The annual rainfall of Kolkata metropolitan averages around 160 cm a year. The hot and humid climate of Kolkata enables the growth of crops like rice, jute, mangoes, coconuts, jackfruit, guavas, and black berries.
Winter in Kolkata sets in with the withdrawal of monsoon in early October. October and November evenings are very pleasant. The winter in Kolkata lasts from December to mid February. Days are pleasant and evenings are cool. The winter temperature ranges between 11º C and 24º C. During winter season potatoes, mustard, tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflower and radish are grown in Kolkata's surrounding villages.
Kolkata spread over an area of approximately 1380 sq. km. is home to almost 16 million people including suburban areas and Howrah (on the western bank of River Hooghly opposite Kolkata). This figure is as per estimates of year 2001.
Geography of Kolkata has helped to shape the history and economy of this great Indian city.
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