West Bengal is a state in eastern India, between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal. Its capital, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), retains architectural and cultural remnants of its past as an East India Company trading post and the capital of the British Raj. The city's landmarks include the colonial-era Victoria Memorial and the iconic Howrah Bridge. West Bengal is noted for its cultural events such as the Durga Puja festival, rich history, literature, and contributions to the arts and cinema. Beyond Kolkata, West Bengal's terrain varies from the tea gardens of Darjeeling to the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, where the Bengal tiger resides. The Ganges delta and Sundarbans area are known for their unique ecosystem. The state has a diverse cultural heritage, with influences from different religions and communities. It also has a strong tradition in folk literature, evident in the works of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
