West Bengal is divided into 23 districts. These districts add to the cultural heritage of the state in terms of the variety and diversity that they provide. In most of these districts, agriculture is the backbone of the economy and among the major crops produced here are potatoes, oilseeds, tobacco, wheat, barley and maize. Jute is one of the major productions in the State of West Bengal. The state of West Bengal is well known for its inclination towards art, culture and music, and this is found reflected in the districts as well. The capital of the state of West Bengal is the city of Kolkata. All the districts of West Bengal are briefly divided under three major divisions of Jalpaiguri, Burdwan and Presidency.
Following are the districts of West Bengal under the three major divisions
Bardhaman District
Bardhaman district, also known as Burdwan, is called the granary of West Bengal because of its production of rice. It is one of the districts of West Bengal, which is rich in minerals. The Asansol and Durgapur subdivisions are the important industrial regions of this district. The rivers, which enter this district, are Bhagirathi-Hooghly in the east, Ajoy in the north and Dwarakeswar, Damodar in the south-west.
Bankura District
Bankura District has the highest tribal population among other districts of West Bengal. It is known for its vast green forests, exquisite array of hills and sparkling rivers. Major industries of the district include cotton weaving, rice and oilseed milling. It is dotted with temples having ancient terracotta sculpture. The high-necked terracotta horse is specialty of this district.
Birbhum District
Birbhum District is situated in the western region of the state. The district has a rich cultural tradition, which is reflected in its temples. Major tourist attractions of the district are Shantiniketan, Tarapith Temple, Kankalipith, Bakreswar, Kenduli etc. The major crops grown are rice, wheat, maize, legumes, sugarcane and mango.
Cooch Behar District
Cooch Behar District is located in the north-eastern region of West Bengal with its headquarters in the town of Cooch Behar. Handicrafts made here from cane, bamboo and jute includes mats, bags, slippers, dolls and baskets. The soil and climate of the district favour crops like pulses, tea, rice, jute, tobacco, wheat and potatoes.
Darjeeling District
Darjeeling district is situated in the northern part of West Bengal. The lofty peaks, green tea plantations and the sparkling rivers characterize this district and generate ample revenue. Major attractions of the district include Observatory Hill, Lloyd`s Botanical Garden, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and the Tiger Hill. The important towns of the district include Kalimpong, Kurseong, Sandakphu Peak and Phalut Peak.
Hooghly District
Hooghly District is the most fertile district of West Bengal and is spread over an area of 3,145 sq km. The district headquarter is Chunchura Town. The fertile land of the district favours cultivation of rice, jute, sugarcane and potatoes. Some of the important tourist attractions here are Bandel Church, temple of Lord Shiva at Tarakeshwar, Imambara at Hooghly, Devanandapur and Chandannagore.
Howrah District
Howrah District is located on the western banks of Hooghly River and the economy of the district rests on agriculture as well as industries. Rice, potatoes, coconut and jute are among the major crops here. Major industries are cotton mills, iron and steel rolling mills, glass factories, and chemical production units. The major attraction here is the Botanical Gardens.
Jalpaiguri District
Jalpaiguri District is one of the beautiful districts of West Bengal with several tea plantations, deep forests with abundant wildlife. The district headquarter is at Jalpaiguri. Tea and tourism are the main sources of revenue. Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Buxa National Park and the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the popular tourist destinations here. Siliguri is an important town of this district.
Kolkata District
Kolkata District is spread over an area of 3150 sq Kms. with its headquarters in the city of joy, Kolkata. It is the nucleus of commercial, administrative, academic and political activities of the state. It is an exciting tourist destination and some of the prominent ones are Writers` Building, the Gothic-style High Court, Victoria Memorial, Zoological Garden, Dakshineswar Temple, Eden Gardens, Indian Museum and Nakhoda Mosque.
Malda District
Malda District is spread over an area of 3,733 sq kms. The district headquarter is Engraj Bazar. The climate here favours cultivation of mulberry and mango. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy. Malda is an important trading centre for rice, jute, and wheat. Major tourist destinations include Gaur, Pandua, Adina, Malda town and Farakka.
Murshidabad District
Murshidabad District is located at the centre of the lower Ganges valley. The seat of administration is in Berhampore town. The district is primarily agricultural and the major crops produced here are rice, wheat, jute, legumes, oilseeds etc. This place is famous for its historical monuments, which include Nizamat Kila, Muradbagh Palace and Khushbagh Cemetery.
Nadia District
Nadia District is a region of historical and spiritual significance. Nabadwip is an important religious destination in here. Krishnanagar is the headquarters of this district.
North 24 Parganas District
North 24 Parganas District is situated on the eastern banks of river Hooghly. This district is spread over an area of 4,094 sq. km. Some of the important industries here include jute mills, petrochemicals, food processing and electronics.
North Dinajpur District
Among all the districts of West Bengal, North Dinajpur occupies an area of 3,142 sq km. and it has its headquarters in Raiganj. The soil and climate favours cultivation of paddy, jute and mesta, and sugarcane.
Purulia District
Purulia District is located in the western part of the state with its headquarters in the town of Purulia. Purulia is an important archaeological site and is basically an agricultural district. The district is famous for Chau dance. Pakhipahar and Ajodhya hills are famous tourist destinations of this district.
South 24 Pargana District
South 24 Pargana District lies in the south-eastern region of West Bengal with its headquarters in Alipore. A large portion of this district is covered with forests. Sunderban forests are an exciting tourist destination with exotic wildlife and mangroves. It is the home of the protected Royal Bengal Tiger. Bakkhali, Kakdwip, Sagardwip and Chandraketugarh are the other tourist destinations of this district.
South Dinajpur District
South Dinajpur District of West Bengal has a rich cultural heritage, which is manifested in the ruins of the place. It is a small agricultural district with administration headquarters at Balurghat. The major rivers flowing through the district are Atryee, Punarbhaba and Tangon.
Paschim Medinipur District
Paschim Medinipur District has been carved out of the erstwhile district of Midnapore. The district is primarily agricultural with paddy being the chief cultivated crop. The district is well known for the production of mulberry and tussar silks. The district is the land of freedom fighters and martyrs like Khudiram Bose. The culture of the district is greatly enriched by the Santhal tribe, the Lodhas and Sabars.
Purba Medinipur District
Purba Medinipur District is the other half carved out of the erstwhile Midnapore district. Educational standards are quite good with a ranking of seventh in literacy among the other districts of West Bengal. The district has an excellent transport network of national highways and railways, and this has greatly facilitated industrialization. Aquaculture and shrimp farming have been taken up in a big way in the coastal belts here.
Alipurduar District
Alipurduar District is the 20th district of West Bengal declared on 25th June 2014. It consists of Alipurduar municipality, Falakata municipality and six community development blocks. In these blocks; Madarihat-Birpara, Alipurduar-I, Alipurduar-II, Falakata, Kalchini and Kumargram are the major divisions. The six blocks contain 66 Gram panchayats and nine census towns. The district has its headquarters at Alipurduar.
Jhargram District
The district has been formed on 4th April 2017, which has its headquarters at Jhargram. This region is popular for its wooded beauty, forests, ancient temples, royal palaces, folk music sites and hill ranges of Belpahari.
Kalimpong District
The district has its headquarters at Kalimpong town after being formed on 14th February 2017 by splitting from the Darjeeling district. The district is consisted of Kalimpong Municipality, and three blocks for community development- Kalimpong I and II and Gorubathan.
Paschim Bardhaman District
This urban mining-industrial district has been formed on 7th April 2017 after the division of Bardhaman District. This district has its headquarters at Asansol.
