Hooghly, located 80 km north of
Kolkata, is a district of
West Bengal with rich cultural tradition. It is bounded by the districts
Bankura and
Bardhaman in the north,
Nadia and
North 24 Parganas in the east,
Howrah District in the south, and
Midnapore District in the west. The district headquarters is Chunchura. Population is around 4.3 million.
The region was a key trading point for many foreign settlers such as the British, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the
Mughals. The British and the Dutch built many trade centers and factories in Hooghly during the 16th century.
Serampore and Chandernagore are among the early European settlements.
Hooghly District covers an area 3,145 sq km and comprises mainly fertile, low-lying delta with numerous marshy lands and abandoned river channels. It has a tropical climate and receives good rainfall. The summer is characterized by strong southwesterly monsoon winds. The two main rivers in the region are Rupnarayan and
Damodar. Rice, jute, sugarcane, and potatoes are the main crops. The soil is ideal for banana and mango cultivation. Main industries are steel and food processing.
Some of the important tourist attractions include
Bandel Church, the 19th century Imambara, Bansberia temple complex, Tarakeshwar, Radhanagor, Devanandapur, Bandel, Chandannagore and the
Nandadulal Mandir at Lal Bagan.
