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Location and extent

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{{short description|overview of the geography of the Indian state}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
[[Image:India West Bengal locator map.svg|thumb|Location of West Bengal]]
'''Geography of West Bengal''', a [[States and territories of India|state]] in eastern [[India]], is diverse, of high peaks of [[Himalaya]] in the northern extremes to where Himalayas are in the north and sea is at the south, with both plains and plateaus covering the remaining region.

==Location and extent==
[[Image:WestBengalDistricts numbered.svg|thumb|250px|Districts of West Bengal|alt=22nd District: Jhargram ; 23rd District: Paschim Bardhaman]]
[[West Bengal]] is on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the [[Himalaya]]s in the north to the [[Bay of Bengal]] in the south. It lies between 85 degree 50 minutes and 89 degree 50 minutes east longitude, and 21 degrees 25 minutes and 27 degrees 13 minutes north latitude.<ref name=arsenicwb>{{cite web
| url = http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb.htm| title = Groundwater Arsenic Contamination Status in West Bengal | access-date = 29 October 2006| work = Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in West Bengal – India (17 Years Study)| publisher = School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University}}</ref> The state has a total area of {{convert|88752|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref name=area>{{cite web
| url = http://www.indianmirror.com/geography/geo9.html| title = Statistical Facts about India
| access-date = 26 October 2006| publisher = www.indianmirror.com
}}</ref> With [[Bangladesh]], which lies on its eastern border, the state forms the ethno-linguistic region of [[Bengal]]. To its northeast lies the states of [[Assam]] and [[Sikkim]] and the country [[Bhutan]], and to its southwest, the state of [[Odisha]]. To the west it borders the state of [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bihar]], and to the northwest, [[Nepal]]. The capital of the state is [[Kolkata]], the [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in India|third-largest]] [[urban agglomeration]] and the [[List of most populous cities in India|seventh-largest city]] in India.

==Political geography==

There are 23 districts and 5 divisions in [[West Bengal]]. The [[Burdwan Division]] consists of [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]], [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]], and [[Hooghly District|Hooghly]], [[Medinipur division]] consists of [[Purba Medinipur District|Purba Medinipur]], [[Paschim Midnapore District|Paschim Medinipur]], [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]], [[Bankura District|Bankura]] and [[Purulia District|Purulia]], the [[Jalpaiguri Division]] consists of [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]], [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], and [[Kalimpong District|Kalimpong]], the [[Malda division]] consists of [[Uttar Dinajpur District|Uttar Dinajpur]], [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]], [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]] and [[Malda district|Malda]], and the [[Presidency Division]] consists of [[Kolkata District|Kolkata]], [[Nadia district|Nadia]], [[North 24 Parganas District|North 24 Parganas]], [[South 24 Parganas District|South 24 Parganas]] and [[Howrah District|Howrah]].

Each district is governed by a [[district collector]] or district magistrate, appointed either by the [[Indian Administrative Service]] or the [[West Bengal Civil Service]]. Each district is subdivided into Sub-Divisions, governed by a [[Sub-Divisional Magistrate|sub-divisional magistrate]], and again into Blocks. Blocks consists of [[panchayat]]s (village councils) and town [[Municipality|municipalities]]<ref name=arsenicwb/> Often the districts north of the Ganges i.e., [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]], [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], kalimpong, [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[North Dinajpur]], [[South Dinajpur]] and [[Malda district|Malda]] are together termed as [[North Bengal]].

The capital and largest city of the state is Kolkata – the [[List of most populous metropolitan areas in India|third-largest]] [[urban agglomeration]]<ref name=uapop2011>
{{cite web |url= http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/india2/Million_Plus_UAs_Cities_2011.pdf |title= Urban agglomerations/cities having population 1 million and above|year=2011|work= Provisional population totals, census of India 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref> and the [[List of most populous cities in India|seventh-largest city]]<ref name=cityrank>{{cite web
|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title=Cities having population 1 lakh and above, census 2011|work= Provisional population totals, census of India 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> in India.[[Asansol]] is the second largest city & urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata.<ref name=uapop2011/> [[Siliguri]] is an economically important city, strategically located in the northeastern [[Siliguri Corridor]] (Chicken's Neck) of India. Other major [[cities and towns in West Bengal]] are [[Howrah]], [[Durgapur, West Bengal|Durgapur]], [[Raniganj]], [[Haldia]], [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Kharagpur, West Bengal|Kharagpur]], [[Burdwan]], [[Darjeeling]], [[Midnapore]], and [[English Bazar|Malda]].<ref name=cityrank/>

==Landforms==
===Darjeeling Himalayan hill region===

{{main|Darjeeling Himalayan hill region}}
Darjeeling Himalayan hill region is situated to the north of the state. This region belongs to the [[Eastern Himalaya]] range. The entire [[Darjeeling district]] except the [[Siliguri]] subdivision and northern part of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar district falls under this zone. It starts abruptly from the [[Terai region]]. The deep gorge of [[Teesta River]], which runs from north to south has divided this mountainous region into two parts: '''1. the western mountain ( west part of Teesta)''' and '''2. The eastern mountains ( east part of Teesta).'''

;1. THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS: It is the higher part of Darjeeling Himalayan range, with an average height of 2200m. It is spread from Nepal borders to teesta river. In this part, two main ranges are observed- '''Singalila range''' and '''Darjeeling range '''.

'''1. Singalila range''': The Singalila range is located along the border of [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] and [[Nepal]]. It separates West Bengal from Nepal. Singalila
penetrates into Darjeeling district, being started from Western Sikkim. It has four important peaks higher than 3000m,– [[Sandakphu]] (3636m), [[Phalut]] (3595m), Sabargram (3543m) and [[Tonglu, West Bengal|Tonglu]] (3036m). Among the Himalayan ranges of this region, [[Singalila Ridge|Singalila range]] hosts '''Sandakphu, at {{convert|3636|m|ft|0}}, is the highest peak of West Bengal'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/attractions_activities/sandakphu|title = Attractions of Sandakphu|accessdate=8 March 2021}}</ref>[[Kanchenjunga]] (world's 3rd highest peak), [[Everest]] (world's highest peak), [[Lhotse]] (world's 4th highest peak) and [[Makalu]] (world's 5th highest peak) can be seen from Singalila range.

'''2. Darjeeling range ''': Darjeeling range has risen up steadily from Terai area. '''[[Ghum, West Bengal|Ghum]] railway station (2258m) of this range is the highest rail station in India'''. The famous [[Tiger Hill, Darjeeling|Tiger hill]] (2567m) is situated at the middle of this mountain chain. Tiger hill is a view point from where [[Kanchenjunga]] (world's 3rd highest peak), [[Everest]] (world's highest peak), [[Lhotse]] (world's 4th highest peak) and [[Makalu]] (world's 5th highest peak) can be seen. Three minor chains - '''Darjeeling Lebong''' in north, '''Takdah Peshok''' in north-east and '''Bagora Dowhill''' in south has been started from tiger hill. Sinchal (2615m) is one of the well known peaks of here.

;2. THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS: It is the lower part of Darjeeling Himalayan mountains with an average altitude of 1900m. Durpin dara and Chola are two major mountain chains of this part.

'''Durpin dara''' chain holds the highest peak of eastern part, '''Rishila''' at {{convert|3121|m|ft|0}}. There are two peaks, '''Renigango (1885m)''' and '''chhoto Sinchula (1726m)''' to the north of Jalpaiguri district. The Buxa hill is located at the east end of this region. '''Sangchuli''' is the highest peak of the Buxa hills.
[[Kalimpong]] town is one of the well known towns of this area.

''Note that Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (simply known as toy train) has been listed in [[UNESCO]] world heritage sites.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tourmyindia.com/heritage/darjeeling-himalayan-railway.html|title=Darjeeling Himalayan Railway|accessdate = 8 March 2021}}</ref>

[[Image:Kanchendzonga from sandakaphu.jpg|thumb| Singalila Range and [[Kangchenjunga|Kanchenjungha]] from Sandakphu]]

===Terai region===

{{main| Terai}}
{{see also|Dooars}}

The ‘‘Terai’’ ("moist land") is a belt of marshy [[grassland]]s, [[savanna]]s, and [[forest]]s at the base of the Himalaya range stretching southwards to about 38 km. Above the Terai belt lies the [[Bhabar]], a forested belt of rock, gravel, and soil eroded from the Himalayas. The Terai zone is composed of alternate layers of clay and sand, with a high water table that creates many springs and [[wetland]]s. The Terai zone is inundated yearly by the [[monsoon]]-swollen rivers of the Himalaya. The ''Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands'' is an ecoregion that stretches across the middle of the Terai belt. The Terai-Duar savanna and wetlands are a mosaic of tall grasslands, savannas and evergreen and deciduous forests. The Terai and Dooars region politically constitute the plains of [[Darjeeling District]], whole of [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]] and [[Alipurduar district]] and upper region of [[Cooch Behar District]] in [[West Bengal]]. The slope of the land is gentle, from north to south. The general height of the land is 80 to 100 m. The entire region is made up of sand, gravel and pebbles laid down by the [[Himalayan rivers]] like the [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Torsa River|Torsa]], [[Raidak]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Sankosh]], [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]] and several other small rivulets. The Teesta has divided the area into two parts- the western part is known as the [[Terai]] whereas the eastern part is known as the [[Dooars]] or Duars. The Dooars region can be further subdivided into the Siliguri or Western Dooars, the middle or Jalpaiguri Dooars and the eastern or Alipur Dooars.

[[Image:Tea garden in dooars.jpg|thumb|A tea garden in Dooars with the background of the Himalayas.]]

===North Bengal plains===
{{main|North Bengal plains}}
North Bengal plain start from the south of [[Terai region]] and continues up to the left bank of the [[Ganges]]. The southern parts of the district [[Jalpaiguri]], [[North Dinajpur]] baring some extreme northern regions, [[South Dinajpur]], [[Malda district|Malda]], [[Alipurduar]] and southern part of [[Cooch Behar]] districts constitute this geographical region. The narrow land mass in the [[North Dinajpur district]] is known as Mahananda Corridor. This corridor runs north to south joining [[Malda district|Malda]] with the plains of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. The entire part of North and South Dinajpur is silt laden plain.

[[Mahananda River]] divides the district of [[Malda district|Malda]] into two parts. The eastern part consists of undulating plains and some tilas and is made up of old [[alluvium]] and is a part of the [[Ganges delta]]. It is also known as Barind or Barendrabhumi. In contrast to the eastern part, the western part is made up of new alluvium and in this part River [[Kalindi River|Kalindi]] joins the [[Mahananda River]]. The part of Malda lying to the north of river Kalindi is known as tal. This is a lowland and covered with [[swamp]]s and [[beel]]s (small water bodies). Whereas the area south of the Kalindi is a very fertile land and is known as diara.

The plain in the south of [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Alipurduar]] and [[Cooch Behar district]] is also made of new alluvium deposited by numerous rivers like the [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Torsa River|Torsa]], [[Raidak]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Sankosh]], [[Balason River|Balason]], [[Punarbhaba River|Punarbhaba]], [[Atrai River|Atrai]] and several other small rivulets.

===Rarh region===
{{main|Rarh region}}
Rarh is the region that intervenes between the [[Vajjabhumi]] and the [[Ganges Delta]]. Parts of the districts [[Murshidabad]], [[Birbhum]], [[Bankura]], [[Purba Bardhaman]], [[Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Purba Medinipur]] and [[Paschim Medinipur]] constitute this region. The region is about 50 to 100  m above the [[sea level]]. This region is believed to be created from the soil from the [[Geography of India#Highlands|Deccan plateau]]. The area is formed by the silt brought by the tributaries of [[Bhagirathi River|Bhagirathi]], [[Mayurakshi River]], [[Ajay River]], [[Damodar River|Damodar]] and [[Rupnarayan River]] which flow over the western plateau region made up of laterite soil make the soil of the area red in colour. The land slope is from west to the south-east and formation of natural [[levees]] along the river banks is a common phenomenon.

===Coastal plain===

A small coastal region is on the extreme south of the state. A part of the district of [[Purba Medinipur]] along the [[Bay of Bengal]] constitutes the coastal plain. This emergent coastal plain is made up of sand and mud deposited by rivers and by wind. Parallel to the coast are colonies of sand dunes and marshy areas. The [[Digha|Digha dune]] lies nearest to the [[Bay of Bengal]] while the [[Kanthi|Kanthi dune]] is the farthest from it. In some areas dunes occur at a distance of 15–16 km from the coast and are 11–12 m high.

[[Image:Desolation.JPG|thumb|[[Shankarpur]] beach near [[Digha]] is a part of this coastal plain]]

===Sunderbans===
{{main|Sunderbans}}
The '''Sundarbans''' [[river delta|delta]] is the largest [[mangrove]] forest in the world situated in the [[South 24 Parganas]] district. It lies at the mouth of the [[Ganges River|Ganges]] and is spread across areas of [[Bangladesh]] and [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. The Bangladeshi and Indian portions of the jungle are listed in the [[UNESCO]] [[world heritage]] list separately as the Sundarbans and [[Sundarbans National Park]] respectively, though they are parts of the same forest. The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of [[tide|tidal]] waterways, [[mudflat]]s and small [[island]]s of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing [[ecology|ecological]] processes. The general average height of the area is 10 m. This area has been created by deposition of silt by its numerous rivers namely, [[Hooghly River|Hoogly]], [[Matla River]], [[Thakuran River|Jamira River]], [[Gosaba River]], [[Saptamukhi River]], [[Haribhanga River]] and their tributaries. The formation of the delta is an ongoing process and new [[wikt:Special:Search/bars|bars]] and [[islands]] are being created along the rivers and at the river mouth. A large section of the area remains under water during incoming times.

The area is known for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these is the [[royal Bengal tiger]], but numerous species of [[bird]]s, spotted [[deer]], [[crocodile]]s and [[snake]]s also inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

[[Image:Sunderbans 059.jpg|thumb|A river in Sunderbans]]

===Western plateau and high lands===
{{main|Western plateau and high lands}}

The Western plateau and highlands forms the eastern fringes of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] and is made up of [[igneous rocks]] of the [[Archean|Archaean]] era as well as coal-bearing [[mudstone]] and [[quartzite]] rocks of [[Carboniferous]] period. The western part of [[Purulia]], [[Bankura]], [[Birbhum]], [[Bardhaman]] and [[Paschim Medinipur]] district constitutes this area. Because of long and continuous erosion, the whole region has been transformed into an undulating [[peneplain]]. This area is interspersed by small [[monadnocks]] locally known as tila. Some of the important hills in the area include [[Ajodhya Hills]] (677 m), Panchet (643 m) and [[Baghmundi]] of Purulia, [[Biharinath]] (452 m) and [[Susunia]] (442 m) of Bankura. The area has a slope from the west to the east. The altitude in the area ranges from 500 to 100 m. Gorgaburu in the Ayodhya Hills (677 m) is the highest point in the region.

[[File:Susunia.jpg|thumb|Susunia hill]]

===Ganges delta===
{{main|Ganges delta}}

The Ganges delta consists of the whole of [[Nadia district|Nadia]], [[Kolkata]], [[North 24 Parganas]], and [[South 24 Parganas]] [[districts of west bengal|districts]] and the Eastern half of [[Murshidabad district]]. [[River Ganges]] passes through this vast area and divides into three distinct parts – the old delta, the mature delta and the active delta.

The old delta consists of the districts of Murshidabad and Nadia. The formation of delta is complete and the rivers here are heavily silted and many have even dried up in due course of time. Silted rivers, swamps, [[beel]]s and [[oxbow lake]]s forms the area. This area is also known as Bagri region.

The districts of [[Kolkata]] and [[North 24 Parganas]] form mature delta region. The rivers are slow and meandering and frequently shift their courses. Swamps, [[beel]]s and oxbow lakes characterises the scenery.
The district of South 24 Parganas is known to be the active delta of the Ganges, where the formation of delta is still an ongoing process.

[[Image:Ganges River Delta, Bangladesh, India.jpg|thumb|Ganges River Delta, Bangladesh and India]]

==Agro-climatic groups==

[[Image:PaddyandjuteBengal.JPG|thumb|Agriculture is leading occupation in the state. Shown here are freshly sown saplings of paddy; in the background are stacks of jute sticks]]
Depending on soil and climate variations, West Bengal can be divided into six broad divisions:<ref name=hdrchap1>{{cite book
|title = West Bengal Human Development Report 2004
|year = 2004
|url = http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/
|format = PDF
|access-date = 26 August 2006
|publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal
|isbn = 81-7955-030-3
|pages = 176–178
|chapter = Environmental Issues
|chapter-url = http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/WB%20HDR%202004/Chap9.pdf
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060527075941/http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/WB/
|archive-date = 27 May 2006
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>

*The hill region in the north
*The terai and Teesta alluvial region of North Bengal
*The laterectic, red and gravely undulating region in the west
*The coastal alluvial region in the south
*The gangetic alluvial region in the east
*The Vindhya alluvial region in the centre

==Rivers==
[[Image:HooghlyRiverOverBally gobeirne.jpg|thumb|Hooghly River viewed over the town of [[Bally, Howrah]].]]
[[Image:Teestavalley.jpg|right|thumb|[[Indian highways|National Highway]] [[List of National Highways in India|31A]] winds along the banks of the [[Teesta River]] near [[Kalimpong]], in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region.]]
Ganges enters West Bengal near [[Rajmahal]] and then flows in a south-easterly direction. It divides into two near north of [[Dhulian]] in [[Murshidabad district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> One branch enters Bangladesh as the ''[[Padma River|Padma]]'' or ''Pôdda'', while the other flows through West Bengal as the Bhagirathi and [[River Hooghly|Hooghly River]] in a southern direction. The Bhagirathi-Hoogly is the main river in West Bengal which flows past some of the important cities like [[Murshidabad]], [[Baharampur]], [[Nabadwip]], [[Chinsura]], [[Chandannagar]], [[Srirampur, India|Srirampur]], [[Howrah]], [[Kolkata]], [[Diamond Harbour]] and [[Haldia]]. It empties its water into [[Bay of Bengal]] near [[Sagar Island]] in the [[South 24 Parganas]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

The [[Mayurakshi River|Mayurakshi]], [[Ajay River|Ajay]], [[Damodar River|Damodar]], [[Kangsabati River|Kangsabati]], [[Rupnarayan River|Rupnarayan]] and their tributaries which rise in the [[Western plateau and high lands]] flow eastwards through the different [[districts of West Bengal]] and joins the Bhagirathi on the right bank.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The Mayurakshi, which is fed by tributaries [[Brahmani River (Birbhum)|Brahmani]], [[Dwarka River|Dwarka]], [[Bakreshwar River|Bakreshwar]] and [[Kopai River|Kopai]] joins the Bhagirathi near [[Kandi, Murshidabad]], the Ajay, which rises in the hills of [[Bihar]], joined by the [[Kunur River|Kunur]], flows down the plateau fringe, marking the boundary between [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]] and [[Birbhum district]]s joins it near [[Katwa]] and Damodar, with its small meandering distributaries, small streams, [[Khari]], Banka and [[Behula]] joins the Bhagirathi near [[Uluberia]]. The Damodar is known as the sorrow of Bengal, is now controlled by making the [[Damodar Valley Project]]. The [[Dwarakeswar River|Dwarakeswar]] and [[Shilabati River|Shilabati]] rivers join to form Rupnarayan and the [[Kangsabati]] and [[Keleghai River|Keleghai]] rivers join to form the [[Haldi River|Haldi]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The Rupnarayan and Haldi fall into the Bhagirathi in the East Midnapure district. The [[Subarnarekha River]] after flowing for a short distance in [[West Bengal]] reenters into [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. These rivers carry with them plenty of water thus keeping the Bhagirathi river submerged with water throughout the year. The rivers along with water carry silt and sand eroded from the western plateaus and deposits them in the Bhagirathi and the rivers themselves. This silting is causing great inconvenience for the [[Kolkata Port]] and often result flooding in the years of heavy rain.<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

The distributaries of the [[Padma River]] like [[Bhairab River|Bhairab]], [[Jalangi River|Jalangi]], [[Mathabhanga River]] and their tributaries enters West Bengal and joins the [[Bhagirathi River|Bhagirathi]] on its left bank.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The Bhairab and the Jalangi meet and their joined waters known as Jalangi falls into Bhagirathi. The Mathabhanga divides into branches namely; [[River Churni|Churni]] and [[Ichamati River|Ichhamati]], while the Churni meets the Bhagirathi while the other flows southwards and joins the [[Kalindi River|Kalindi]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

The [[Sunderbans]] region is covered by numerous estuaries and streams, mainly distributaries of main rivers. The rivers are interconnected and are fed by tidal waters. The major rivers of the area are [[Hooghly River|Hoogly]], [[Matla River|Matla]], [[Gosaba River|Gosaba]], [[Saptamukhi River|Saptamukhi]], [[Haribhanga River|Haribhanga]], [[Piyali River|Piyali]], [[Thakuran River|Thakuran/ Jamira]], [[Raimangal River|Raimangal]], [[Kalindi River|Kalindi]] and [[Ichamati River|Ichhamati]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

The [[Teesta River|Teesta]] flows cutting deep [[Canyon|gorges]] from north to south in the mountainous Darjeeling district, it enters the plains at [[Sevoke]] and flows in a mighty stream on straight line towards the south east until it pours its waters into the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> [[Torsa]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Kaljani]], [[Raidak]], [[Sankosh]] and [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]] rivers are in the northern hilly region which rise in the [[Himalayas]] and flow in a southerly direction through the districts of [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]], [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]], [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]] and [[North Dinajpur|North]] and [[South Dinajpur]] and enters [[Bangladesh]]. As most of the rivers are snow fed, so most of the rivers are perennial in nature and often floods during the rainy season.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The entire region is made up of sand, gravel and pebbles laid down by these rivers.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The Mahananda rises from the Dow Hills forest, near the town of [[Darjeeling]] and are fed by similar small rivers like, [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]], [[Balason]], and Machi and runs in a zig-zag way through the district of Malda and joins the Padma in Bangladesh. In the central region, the main river is the Mahananda. The [[Tangon River|Tangon]] and [[Punarbhaba River|Punarbhabha]], and [[Atrai River|Atrai]] arises in the plains, while the former two joins together and flows into Mahanadi, [[Atrai River|Atrai]] flows into the Padma.

==Wetlands==
{{main|Sundarbans}}
The Sundarbans [[river delta|delta]] is the largest [[mangrove]] forest in the world. It lies at the mouth of the [[Ganges River|Ganges]] and is spread across areas of [[Bangladesh]] and [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. The Bangladeshi and Indian portions of the jungle are listed in the [[UNESCO]] [[world heritage]] list separately as the Sundarbans and [[Sundarbans National Park]] respectively, though they are parts of the same forest. The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of [[tide|tidal]] waterways, [[mudflat]]s and small [[island]]s of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing [[ecology|ecological]] processes.

The area is known for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these is the [[Bengal tiger]], but numerous species of [[bird]]s, spotted [[deer]], [[crocodile]]s and [[snake]]s also inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.{{citation needed |date=August 2016}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of West Bengal}}
[[Image:Wb-climate.gif|thumb|Average Annual Rainfall in West Bengal]]
[[Image:Kalinagar Floods B.JPG|thumb|Many areas remain flooded during the heavy rains brought by monsoon]]
[[West Bengal|West Bengal's]] climate varies from tropical [[savannah]] in the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north. The main seasons are summer, rainy season, a short autumn, and winter. While the summer in the delta region is noted for excessive humidity, the western highlands experience a dry summer like northern India, with the highest day temperature ranging from {{convert|38|°C|°F|0|lk=on}} to {{convert|45|°C|°F|0}}.<ref name=webindia>{{cite web
| url = http://www.webindia123.com/westbengal/land/climate.htm
| title = Climate
| access-date = 5 September 2006
| work = West Bengal: Land
| publisher = Suni System (P) Ltd
}}</ref> At nights, a cool southerly breeze carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal. In early summer brief [[squall]]s and thunderstorms known as "kal-baisakhi" often arrive from the north or northwest.<ref name=kalboisakhi>{{cite web
|url = http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=kal-baisakhi1
|title = kal Baisakhi
|access-date = 5 September 2006
|work = Glossary of Meteorology
|publisher = American Meteorological Society
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060830065710/http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=kal-baisakhi1
|archive-date = 30 August 2006
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> Monsoons bring rain to the whole state from June to September. West Bengal receives the [[Climate of India#Monsoon|Bay of Bengal branch]] of the [[Monsoon#Indian Ocean Monsoon|Indian Ocean monsoon]] that moves in a northwest direction. Winter (December–January) is mild over the plains with average minimum temperatures of {{convert|15|°C|°F|0}}.<ref name=webindia/> A cold and dry northern wind blows in the winter, substantially lowering the humidity level. However, the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill region experiences a harsh winter, with occasional snowfall at places.

==Natural resources==
[[Image:Wb-minerals.png|thumb|Map showing areas where various minerals are found in West Bengal]]

[[West Bengal]] stands third in the country in terms of mineral production. The state contributes about one-fifth to the total production of minerals in the country.<ref name="hsecogeo">{{Cite book
| last =Bhattacharya| first =Sudhansu Sekhar|author2=Gupta, Sushmita | title =Higher Secondary Economic Geography | publisher =Indian Progressive Publishing | year =1977 (1998)|location =Kolkata| pages =316–359}}</ref>
[[Coal]] constitutes 99% of the minerals extracted in [[West Bengal]]; [[fireclay]], [[china clay]], [[limestone]], [[copper]], [[iron]], [[Tungsten|wolfram]], [[manganese]] and [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]] are mined in small quantities.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> There are good possibilities of obtaining mineral oil and natural gas in the areas near the [[Bay of Bengal]], in [[Purba Medinipur]], [[Sundarbans]], [[South 24 Parganas]] and [[North Bengal]] plains.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> Research is ongoing in various places to locate natural gas.

[[West Bengal]] is the third largest state for coal production, accounting for about half of India's total.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> Coal is extracted from about 228 mines in the [[Raniganj]] and [[Asansol]] region of [[Bardhaman district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> High grade [[bituminous coal]] is mined at [[Raniganj]], [[Dishergarh]], [[Santaldih]], [[Kulti]], [[Barakar]], [[Ghushik]], [[Kajora]]. Coalfields stretch over an area of about {{convert|1550|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. The coalfields of Raniganj support the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt by providing fuel to the industries as well as generation of thermal power. [[Lignite]] mined in [[Darjeeling]] is used to make [[briquettes]]. Coal deposits are also found along the [[Ajoy river]] in [[Birbhum district]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

[[West Bengal]] ranks next to [[Bihar]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] in production of [[fireclay]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> Most of this mineral is extracted in the Raniganj region along with a small quantity also extracted from [[Birbhum]] and [[Purulia district|Purulia]]. [[China clay]] used in the [[pottery]], [[paper]], [[textile]], [[rubber]] and [[paint]] industries is unearthed at [[Mohammad Bazar (community development block)|Mohammad Bazar]] in Birbhum and [[Mejia (community development block)|Mejia]] in [[Bankura district|Bankura]]. The rest of the production comes from Purulia, Bardhaman, Darjeeling and [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]. In 1993–94 1.24 lakh metric tons of fireclay were produced in West Bengal.<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

[[Limestone]] which is used in [[cement]] industry is mined in [[Bankura District|Bankura]], [[Purulia]], [[Darjeeling]] and [[Jalpaiguri]].<ref name="hsecogeo"/> There are [[copper]] mines in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Small quantities of low quality [[iron-ore]] are mined in Bardhaman, Purulia, Birbhum and Darjeeling.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> There is [[manganese]] in the [[Jhargram]] region of [[Paschim Medinipur]], Purulia and Bardhaman. Wolfram is mined at [[Jhilimili]] in Bankura.<ref name="hsecogeo"/> The state's production of dolomite comes from the [[Dooars]] region of [[Jalpaiguri]]. 38.5 thousand tonnes of dolomite were raised in 1993–94.<ref name="hsecogeo"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

*A map of the districts can be seen [http://www.wbgov.com/e-gov/English/DepartmentFrame.asp?showPage=MapOfState/DefaultScript.asp at the official State of West Bengal website].

[[Category:Geography of West Bengal| ]]
[[Category:Environment of West Bengal]]

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Geography of West Bengal - Revision history

164.113.135.70: fixed issues

KiraHutchinson4: quick update

117.211.64.10: /* Location and extent */