West Bengal, located in eastern India along the Bay of Bengal, is a culturally rich state with a population over 103 million (2023) and Kolkata as its capital. Known for the Himalayas in the north (Darjeeling) and the Sundarbans mangrove forest in the south, it is a hub for art, literature, and cuisine. The state is significant for its role in India’s independence, its 80.5% literacy rate (2017), and its economy, which relies on agriculture, tea, and industry.