Districts of Gujarat include 33 districts which are now developing. Gujarat is an Indian state that has a coastline of 1,600 km, mostly on the Kathiawar peninsula, with a population of more than 60 million. Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat, whereas Ahmedabad is the largest city. The state is amongst the most industrialised states in the country and has the fastest growing economy. The GDP of the state is double the national average. Situated on the western part of India, Gujarat is well known for its handicrafts, historical monuments, mouth-watering delicacies, wildlife sanctuaries and also as the major industrial and commercial state of India. The state has as many as four national parks and eleven sanctuaries.
The Districts of Gujarat
The 33 districts of Gujarat have been discussed below in brief:
Gandhinagar District: It is the commercial and cultural thread of Gujarat.
Ahmedabad District: It is situated in central India and it is the hub of textile industries in the country and was earlier known as the Manchester of India.
Vadodara District: It is a major industrial district of Gujarat with its pharmaceutical, glass and fertilizer industries.
Rajkot District: It is the producer of important crops like groundnut, cotton, sugarcane.
Surat District: It is famous for zari work and cutting and polishing of diamonds.
Anand District: The largest milk cooperative of Asia, the Amul Dairy is located in this district.
Amreli District: It is largely dependent on agriculture and the main crops grown here are bajra, jowar and cotton. The nearby attractions of the district are Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Khodiyar mandir and Pipavav port.
Banaskantha District: It has a rich deposit of marble quarries and copper. This town is famous for developing India`s diamond industry and trade.
Bharuch District: It is a fourth major cotton producing district in Gujarat and is one of the oldest towns of the state.
Bhavnagar District: It is an ideal tourist destination and the major attractions are Gandhi Smriti, Takhteshwar Temple, Velavadar National Park, Barton Library and Museum, Sri Ghogha Teerth, Mahuva Teerth and Palitana etc.
Dahod District: It covers an area of 5,300 sq km, with the headquarters at Dahod.
Dang District: It is covered with vast stretches of forest reserves which are dominated by the tribal communities. Mahal Bardipara wildlife sanctuary and the spectacular Gira Waterfalls are suitable short excursion sites in the district.
Jamnagar District: It is renowned for Gujarat`s traditional handicraft Bhandej or Bandhani. One of the sacred pilgrim centres of the Hindus, Dwaraka comes under the jurisdiction of this district. The main crops grown in the district are groundnut and jowar.
Junagadh District: It is an idyllic tourist destination with its Buddhist caves, rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka, ancient forts, Jami mosque, and step wells.
Kheda District: It is known as the land of the golden leaf because it is a major tobacco growing district of Gujarat. Lasundra, a small town of the district is famous for its hot springs.
Kutch District: It is the biggest district of Gujarat covering an area of 45,652 sq km with its administrative headquarters in the town of Bhuj. The major attractions in the district include the Aina Mahal, Sharad Baugh palace, the Royal Cenotaphs Chattris, the Kutch museum and the Ethnology museum.
Mehsana District: It covers an area of 9,027 sq km. with its administrative headquarters in Mehsana town. The district is dotted with a number of temples and the important ones are the Modhera Sun temple, Becharaji temple and the Hatkeswar temple in Vadnagar.
Narmada District: It is located in the southern part of Gujarat with its administrative headquarters in Rajpipla.
Navsari District: The district, with its headquarters at Navsari is spread over an area of 2,209 sq km.
Panchmahal District: It is located in the eastern part of Gujarat with the district headquarters at Godhra.
Patan District: It is situated on the banks of the Saraswati river and the prime attractions of the district are Ranakivav (step-well) and Sahasraling Lake.
Porbandar District: It is based on agriculture as well as industries. Cement industry and Soda-ash industry are the two major industries and the main crops grown here are cotton, groundnut, bajra, gram, wheat, and jowar.
Sabarkantha District: It has its headquarters at Himmatnagar. Shamlaji a small town of the district is a famous pilgrim centre.
Surendranagar District: It is a major cotton growing area in Gujarat. The other crops grown here are bajra, jowar and groundnut.
Tapi District: This district shares its border with the state of Maharashtra and the district headquarters is in the town of Vyara.
Valsad District: An important industry of the district is salt making as the place is connected with Gandhi`s Salt Satyagraha movement.
Aravalli District: The district has been carved out of the Sabarkantha district. Its headquarters are at Modasa.
Botad District: It was created from the southwestern part of Ahmedabad District and the northwestern part of Bhavnagar District. Botad consists of four talukas- Botad, Gadhada, Barvala and Ranpur. Botad city is the administrative headquarters of the district.
Chhota Udaipur District: This tribal dominated district was carved out of the Vadodara district with its headquarters at Chhota Udaipur town.
Devbhumi Dwarka District: This district is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch. Its headquarters are located in Jamkhambhaliya. It was carved out of Jamnagar District.
Gir Somnath District: It is located on the southern portion of the Kathiwar peninsula with its headquarters at Veravai. The Gir Forest of this district is the abode of many wildlife creatures including lions, deer, and monkeys. Asiatic Lions can only be found here.
Mahisagar District: The district has been carved out of Panchmahal District and Kheda District. It has been named after the Mahi River. Lunawada is the district headquarters of Mahisagar.
Morbi District: Morbi city is the district headquaerters. It has five talukas naming Morbi, Maliya, Tankara, Wankaner and Halvad.