North 24 Parganas is a city located in southern West Bengal, India. North 24 Parganas falls within the tropical zone and extends from latitude 22º11 minutes 6 second north to 23º15 minutes and 2 second north and from longitude 88º20 minutes east to 89º5 minutes east.
Location of North 24 Parganas District
North 24 Parganas District is environed by Nadia district to the north, Bangladesh (Khulna Division) to the north and east, South 24 Parganas district and Kolkata to the south and Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly districts to the west. Barasat serves as the district headquarters of North 24 Parganas.
Geography of North 24 Parganas District
North 24 Parganas District is considered the most thickly populated and most economically evolved district in West Bengal. It is one of India`s most industrialised districts. The district is also regarded as the tenth largest district in the state by area, also serving as second most thickly populated district. The total surface area covered by North 24 Parganas is 3781 sq. km, according to the 2007 census. Soil status of the district differs from alluvial to clay loam.
North 24 Parganas district serve as self-governing districts, located to the north-eastern side of Kolkata city. The district is approximately 30 km away from the main city. The outskirts consist of several important tourist attractions. The township is broadly and well connected by roads and railways to Kolkata city. Some important areas in the township include Barasat, Barrackpur, Basirhat, Bidhan Nagar (well known as Salt Lake) etc. The above said areas also take in Old Settlements of European Traders and Gandhi Ghat (in Barrackpur). The primary rivers flowing by North 24 Parganas include Ganga, Ichhamati, Jamuna and Bidyadhari.
North 24 Parganas district can be smoothly and easily accessed from any part of the Kolkata city, its primary neighbour. Jessore Road in the north-eastern direction of Kolkata provides accessibility to North 24 Parganas. Bus services from the city centre and Salt Lake are effortlessly available for the region. The district is further provided with railway services from the city of Kolkata. The railways lines ahead of Dum Dum pass through the region of North 24 Parganas. The nearest airport to North 24 Parganas is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, rather popular as Dum Dum Airport.
Climate Condition of North 24 Parganas
Climatic conditions of North 24 Parganas are primarily tropical, like rest of the Gangetic West Bengal. The distinctive times are the monsoons, which lasts from early June to mid September. Weather is foremost dry during the winters (mid November to mid February) and humid during summers. Annual rainfall counts up to 1579mm in normal periods. Temperature in the district ranges from 41 degree centigrade in May (maximum) and 10 degrees Centigrade in January (minimum). Relative humidity in North 24 Parganas fluctuates within 50 percent in March to 90 percent in July.
Education of North 24 Parganas District
Education in North 24 Parganas can be looked as extremely diversified, with the most sophisticated and elite bunch being located in the district. It is pretty advanced in West Bengal as an educated district, with special emphasis being given strongly on becoming learned. Both primary and secondary level schools exist in North 24 Parganas, with a number of colleges also existing under the University of Calcutta.
Economy of North 24 Parganas District
Though economy of North 24 Parganas is developing in lightning speed now, yet, in previous times it had to meet with discrepancies. Agriculture being the reigning economical funding in the district, the post-independent times was one of difficulty. Indian Planning Commission however is chalking out several charts to instill betterment in North 24 Parganas economy. The current presence of large-scale industries in the district, with its proximity to Kolkata, makes the district today rich economically, with build up of Information Technology.
Culture of North 24 Parganas District
Culture of North 24 Parganas District is essentially folk, with the district serving as the epitome of cultural wonder and beauty in West Bengal. With the umpteen Bengali ethnic groups, both urbane and rural, North 24 Parganas hosts nationwide exhibits also.
Tourism of North 24 Parganas District
North 24 Parganas District offers a large number of tourist spots and picnic spots. Some of the most prominent tourist spots are Taki, Machranga Dweep, R S Garden, Badu, Parmadan Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandhi Ghat, Shanti Sorovar, Shyamnagar Rahuta, Panchamukhi Baganbari (Garden House) and many others. This district is proud to have an ancient civilisation of Chandraketugarh, which was developed in the early stage of Indian history.
