Delhi

Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), is the capital region of India and hosts New Delhi, the seat of the central government. It is a union territory with a special status, possessing an elected legislative assembly and a lieutenant governor who represents the central government.

Geographically in northern India, Delhi is bordered by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and is bisected by the Yamuna River. The territory includes historic Old Delhi and the planned city of New Delhi, as well as many urban and suburban districts. The climate is hot in summer, with a monsoon season and cool winters; rainfall is seasonal and often brief.

Delhi has a long history with successive capitals including Indraprastha, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire, followed by British rule. After independence, the city grew as India’s political and cultural center. Since the early 1990s, it has had a democratically elected assembly and greater self-governance within the union territory.

Demographically diverse, Delhi is home to a melting pot of communities. Hindi is the predominant language, with English widely used in administration. The city hosts a range of religious communities and festivals, contributing to a vibrant arts and culinary scene.

Delhi is a major national services hub, with strengths in information technology, finance, telecommunications, media, and retail. It hosts leading institutions such as the University of Delhi, IIT Delhi, and AIIMS. The Delhi Metro and Indira Gandhi International Airport form the core of its transport network.

Notable landmarks include the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Akshardham, and the Lotus Temple. The city is home to numerous museums, theaters, and universities, contributing to its role as a political, educational, and cultural hub within the National Capital Region.