Porbandar district is located in the state of Gujarat. The district constitutes of 3 talukas viz. Porbandar, Ranawav, and Kutiyana. This district is famous for the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. As per 2001census, the population of Porbandar district is 5, 36,835 with 234 persons per sq. km. District Headquarter is at Porbandar. The total area of the district is 2,295.35 sq. km. The major tourist destinations of the district are Kirti Mandir, Vijay Vilas, Sheetla Mata Mandir, Haroon Mahal and Bhidiya Mansion.
Geography of Porbandar District
Geographical location of Porbandar District is 21.15 degree to 21.5 degree N (Latitude) and 69.55 degree to 70.25 degree East (Longitude). Maximum temperature of this district is 36.2 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 13.2 degree centigrade. Average rainfall of the place is 660 mm and the four main rivers of the district are Bhadar, Ozat, Minsaar and Khari.
Education in Porbandar District
Porbandar has a literacy rate of 68.62 percent as per 2001 Census. There are approximately 372 primary schools and 71 secondary and higher secondary schools in the district. One Government Polytechnic college in Porbandar offers diploma courses in disciplines like electronics, mechanical and civil engineering. The Industrial Training Institute in the district trains in industrial fields such as, electronics and computers and professions such as diesel mechanic, auto parts and motor vehicle mechanics etc.
Economy of Porbandar District
Porbandar is a base for Cement, Chemicals, Metallurgical, Ports and Ship building and fishing industries. Presence of large reserves of important minerals like limestone, chalk and bauxite in the district has given rise to several mineral based and cement industries. Presence of a port centre has offered a cutting edge to the district to catalyse the growth of industries, making it a terminal for export and import of goods. Fishing industry is a prominent activity in Porbandar with Silver Sea Foods emerging as one of the major sea food processing companies in the district. Over 100 small scale industry (SSI) units are currently functioning in Porbandar engaged in fish processing, fishing nets, cold storage, cement based mosaic tiles, cement articles, bearings, and plastic articles.
Tourism in Porbandar District
Porbandar district is very famous for Kirti Mandir (the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi), Bharat Mandir, Nehru Planetarium and Vijay Vilas. Barda Hills Sanctuary is situated just 30 km away from Porbandar, having a diversified floral presence, with more than 650 flowering plants, medicinal plants and a high percentage of rare and endangered floral species. Wildlife species includes the rare and endangered species of Spotted and Crested Hawk Eagles. Other renowned places in Porbandar are Madhavraiji Haveli Temple, Sudamapuri Temple, Hazoor Court and sea beaches.
How to reach Porbandar District
By Road:
National highway 8 B and 8E (Ext.) passes through the district, connecting Porbandar with Rajkot (187 km) and Jamnagar (275 km).
By Rail:
Porbandar is connected with Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi by western railways. Four broad gauge rail lines of total length of 33 km are present in Ranawav, Rana Bordi, Sakhpur and Tarsi.
By Air:
Porbandar has an airport, connecting the district to Rajkot and Mumbai.
By Port:
The district has a 106 km long maritime border facing the Arabian Sea with an all weather port at Porbandar. The port is well connected with other districts of Gujarat by means of road and rail.