Surat is a city located in the state of Gujarat, on the western part of India. It is located on the banks of the river Tapi (Tapti) near its confluence with the Arabian Sea. The word ‘Surat’ means ‘face’ in Gujarati as well as Hindi language. It is presently considered the commercial and economic centre in South Gujarat, and one of the largest urban areas of western India. It has well-established diamond and textile industry. Surat, famous for its diamond cutting and polishing, is known as the Diamond City of India. About 90% of the world's diamonds supply are cut and polished in the city. Surat is one of the cleanest cities of India and is also known by several other names like the Silk City, the Textile City, the City of Flyovers or the Green City, etc.
Demography
It is the second largest city in Gujarat after Ahmadabad and the eighth largest city by population and ninth largest urban agglomeration in India. It is the administrative capital of the Surat district. The city is located around 284 kilometers south of the state capital, Gandhinagar.
| Country | India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Surat |
| Area | Total 474.185 km2 (183.084 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | Total 6,936,534 |
| Coastline | 35 kilometers (22 mi) |
| Elevation | 13 m (43 ft) |
Weather
The summers are quite hot with temperatures ranging from 37.78 oC to 44.44 oC. The climate is pleasant during the monsoon while autumn is temperate. The winters are not very cold but the temperatures in January range from 10 oC to 15.5 oC. The average annual rainfall of the city has been 1143 mm.
Heritage and Food
It has the most vibrant present and an equally varied heritage of the past. It is the city where the British first land in India. The Dutch and the Portuguese also established there business centers in Surat, the remnants of which are still preserved in the modern day Surat.
Surat is known for its food and has its own list of cherished street foods. There is a famous saying in Gujarati language "સુરતનું જમણ અને કાશીનું મરણ", meaning “Eat in Surat and Die in Kashi” for the ultimate experience of the soul. The unique dishes of surat includes “Khaman”, “Locho”, “Sev Khamani”, “Surti Bhusu”, “Alupuri”, “Ponk”, “Ponk Vada”, “Surati Khaja”, “Dhokla”, “Idada”, “Surati Undhiyu”, “Ghari (sweet)”, “Ghebar (sweet)” and so forth. People's love for food in Surat is so much that there is a lane called as "Khaudra gali" which means foodie's lane which has all stalls of various types of street food dishes.
Universities and Colleges
Most of the regional colleges are affiliated to Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU), named after the poet Veer Narmad, which has headquarters in the Surat Metropolitan Region. Government Medical College, Surat (GMCS) is a more than 50 years old medical school of 250 yearly UG students and 180 yearly PG students admission capacity with attached tertiary care hospital, New Civil Hospital (NCH). Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), established in 2000 with 200 yearly UG students admission, is a municipal govern Medical College and Hospital affiliated with the VNSGU. Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat is one of 31 National Institutes of Technology that are recognized as Institutes of National Importance by the Government of India. Dr. S & S. S. Ghandhy College of Engineering & Technology is situated at heart of Surat, is one of the oldest and largest Technical Institution of Gujarat established in 1955. Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Surat started in 2017.
Transport
Surat railway station falls under the administrative control of Western Railway zone of the Indian Railways. In early 2016, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation rated the facility the best large station in India based on cleanliness. The Sitilink or Surat BRTS is a bus rapid transit system in the city. It is operated by Surat Municipal Corporation, had a network connecting major localities. Surat International Airport located in Magdalla, 11 kilometers (7 mi) southwest of Surat. It is the 2nd busiest airport in Gujarat in terms of both aircraft movements and passenger traffic. Surat Metro is an under construction rapid transit rail system for the city.
Sports
Science Center, Surat is a multi-facility complex built by the Surat Municipal Corporation in 2009, the first of its type in western India. The complex houses a science center and science museum.
Pandit DinDayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium, Surat with a seating capacity of 6800, is the first of its kind in the Western Region of India. The stadium frequently organizes national and international indoor games such as volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics, handball, boxing, wrestling, badminton, basketball, and tennis. This is also a convenient venue for organizing cultural programs, music concerts, drama, fashion shows, seminars, conferences, and many more. Lalbhai Contractor Cricket Stadium has a capacity of more than 7000 and hosted several Ranji, Irani and Duleep Trophy matches as well as several benefit matches for international cricketers.
List of some other tourist attractions in Surat
There are many more places in Surat worth seeing. Some of these are mentioned below.
