South Gujarat

South Gujarat દક્ષિણ ગુજરાત
region
Southern Districts of Gujarat State (India)
Country	India
State	Gujarat
Area
• Total	17,500 km2 (6,800 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	11,703,004
Languages
• Official	Gujarati
• Other	English, Hindi, Dangi, Bhili, Konkani, Marathi
Languages
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration	GJ
Largest city	Surat
Headquarter	Surat
Website	gujaratindia.com

South Gujarat, also known as Dakshin Gujarat (દક્ષિણ ગુજરાત), is a region in the Indian state of Gujarat. The region has a wetter climate than other regions of Gujarat. The western part is almost coastal and is known as Kantha Vistar ("coastal expanse" in Gujarati), and the eastern part is also known as Dungar Vistar ("hilly expanse"), which ranges from 100 to 1000 metres, with the highest peak at Saputara in the Dang district.

Headquarters and districts

Surat the largest city in this region, and the second largest in Gujarat and eight largest in India, is the headquarters of South Gujarat region. The districts in this region are Surat district, Bharuch district, Navsari district, Dang district, Valsad district, Narmada district and Tapi district. Other important cities are Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Navsari, Vyara, Valsad, Pardi, Bardoli, Vapi, Jambusar, Bilimora, Amalsad, Rajpipla and Songadh.

Notable South Gujarat Politicians

• Morarji Desai was elected Prime Minister, and became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. He was born in Bhadeli village, Bulsar district, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Valsad district, Gujarat, India) on 29 February 1896 .
• Ahmed Patel Indian Politician associated with Indian National Congress.
• Kanubhai Desai finance, power and petrochemical minister of Gujarat.
• Juned Patel Indian Politician and South Gujarat In charge Indian Youth Congress SM Youth wing of Indian National Congress.
• C. R. Patil Indian Politician associated with Bharatiya Janata Party

Notable People

• Jamsetji Tata founder of what would later become the Tata Group of companies, regarded as the "father of Indian industry".
• Freddie Mercury singer and songwriter for the British rock band Queen, whose family originated from Valsad.
• Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the "Grand Old Man of India".

Places of tourism

• Saputara - is a hill-station only 172 km from Surat is perched in the Sahayadri mountain ranges of South Gujarat and is the only hill-station in Gujarat. Ahwa, Gira Water Fall, Sanctuary, Table Top, Sunset Point, Boating, Rope-Way, Paragliding etc. are main Attractions in Saputara
• Dandi - is a beach famous for Salt March (Dandi Satyagraha) which was held in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi during British era is only 45 km from Surat.
• Ubharat Beach - is a famous beach situated only 45 km south from Surat, 30 km west from Navsari.
• Dumas Beach - is a famous beach in Surat city.
• Suvali Beach - is a famous beach situated only 35 km from Surat main city.
• Tithal Beach - is a famous beach situated only 100 km from Surat, 7 km from Valsad.
• Umargam - is a famous place where there is a studio of Mythological drama/series (including Mahabharat, by B.R. Chopra), movies are being shoot.
• Barumala-Dharampur-Valsad - There is famous temple of Hindu God Shankar
• Kabirvad - Kabirvad is a banyan tree located on a small river island in Narmada river. It is in Bharuch district.
• Surat - Surat is the commercial and economic center in South Gujarat, which is famous for its diamonds and textile Industries and as a shopping centre for apparels and accessories. Surat Aquarium (Jagdishchandra Bose Aquarium), Heritage Gopi Talao, Dumas Beach, Suvali Beach, Shyam Prasad Mukharjee Zoo (Sarthana Zoo), Botanical Garden are places to visit in Surat. Surat's Urban Infrastructures, Mall, Multiplex and Gaurav Path are attractive for Urban life lovers.