Darjeeling District is one of the most famous districts in the Indian state of West Bengal, known worldwide for its scenic beauty, tea, and the Himalayan backdrop. Here’s a detailed overview:
📍 Basic Information
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Location: Northern part of West Bengal, India
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Headquarters: Darjeeling town
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Area: Approx. 2,092 sq km
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Languages: Nepali (widely spoken), Bengali, Hindi, English
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Major Rivers: Teesta, Rangeet
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Elevation: Varies from 300m (plains) to over 8,000m (mountains)
🌄 Tourism Highlights
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Darjeeling Town
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Queen of the Hills
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Attractions: Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia Loop, Peace Pagoda, Mall Road, Darjeeling Zoo
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Ghoom
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Highest railway station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (UNESCO Heritage)
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Mirik
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Famous for Sumendu Lake and tea gardens
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Kurseong
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Known as the “Land of White Orchids”
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Sandakphu & Singalila National Park
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Trekking paradise and best views of Kanchenjunga
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Tea Gardens
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World-famous Darjeeling Tea, grown in estates like Happy Valley, Makaibari, etc.
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🚞 Transport
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By Train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest major station
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By Air: Bagdogra Airport (IXB)
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By Road: Well-connected to Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Sikkim
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Heritage Toy Train: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)
🧑🤝🧑 People & Culture
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Ethnic diversity: Gorkhas (Nepali-speaking), Lepchas, Bhutias, Bengalis
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Major festivals: Tihar, Dashain, Losar, Diwali, Buddha Purnima
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Cuisine: Momos, thukpa, sel roti, churpi, Darjeeling tea
🏫 Education & Institutions
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St. Paul’s School, Loreto Convent, North Point
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Darjeeling Government College
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Several ICSE and CBSE schools
🏞️ Natural Resources & Economy
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Economy based on:
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Tea production (primary export)
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Tourism
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Horticulture and floriculture
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Handicrafts
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