Kolkota: A rough guide

Formerly known as Calcutta, this unique city is the capital of West Bengal and one of India's most vital cities. It is the epitome of India's cultural heritage and a symbol of the country's unity and diversity, and has a population of 13.2 million people.

Bengali is the local language. In West Bengal most of the people speak Bengali. Besides Bengali, Hindi and English are also widely used. Kolkata prides itself on its diversity of languages, religion and culture, and everyone is expected to respect these differences.

The Kolkata climate is characterized by oppressively hot summers and high humidity almost all year round. Winter begins in the second half of November and continues until the end of February. This is followed by the hot season, from March to May. The southwest monsoon season sets over the region in early June, bringing a welcome drop in the temperature. However, heavy monsoon showers may disrupt city life. The best time of year is between October and March when the temperature is at its best and festivals are being held.

Useful websites

www.poonabest.com

www.globaladjustments.com

www.indiatravelite.com

www.tourismindia.com

www.webindia123.com

Information reproduced with the kind permission of Crown Relocations. For information, please see www.relocatingtoindia.com.

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