West Bengal is the state with highest population density in India. The state is dotted with several small and medium towns and cities. Historically, the main source of income of the people of West Bengal has been farming, and, as a consequence, the state previously had a large rural population skew. At the turn of the 20th century, however, the role of industry in West Bengal increased substantially, leading to a population move into urban areas.

After the partition of India in 1947, the province of Bengal was divided into two major parts: the eastern region forming East Pakistan -- which became Bangladesh — and the state of West Bengal. Scores of refugees from the eastern part came to West Bengal, leading to the start of new urban areas, and contrubuting to the congestion of already established cities like Kolkata.

Major cities

* Kolkata (previously Calcutta):

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, and was the capital of the of British Raj until 1911. Along with Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, and Chennai, Kolkata is one of the 4 big cities in India, and one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world.

* Howrah:

A primarily industrial city, and the second largest city in West Bengal. It is located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, and is the twin city to Kolkata.

* Darjeeling:

Darjeeling is a famous hill station and tourist destination. It is also known for its famous access route, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, its tea industry, and its historical role as a summer retreat.

* Kalimpong:

Kalimpong is a hill station that is also part of the district of Darjeeling. It is known as a tourist destination, especially for its climate, and for its Buddhist monasteries and flower market.

* Kharagpur- famous for the Indian Institute of Technology. Also has the longest railway platform in the world in its railway station, and a major air force base nearby, Kharagpur is all these and more.

* Bardhaman- main city of Bardhaman district

* Asansol-industrial town in Bardhaman district.This industrial city is known for its famous iron and steel works and the locomotive works at Chittaranjan. It is the third largest city of West Bengal counting Howrah as the second largest.

* Durgapur-industrial town in Bardhaman district, the commercial capital of the Bengal Ruhr, a large industrial city (and the fourth largest in West Bengal) with very well laid out roads and townships.

* Murshidabad- the past capital of Bengal, before the British Raj

* Malda- the site of capital of Bengal from 5th century BC till the time of Muslim rule.The relics are at Gaur and Pandua.

* Siliguri- arterial city in North Bengal, one of the most important business hubs in the state and the entire north-eastern region of India. It is the fifth largest city of the state and the second most important trade hub after Kolkata.