Surat, Gujarat, India

Surat is one of the largest cities in northwestern India, located in the state of Gujarat. The city is situated on the banks of the Tapi River and is a principal center of business and social life in the state. Surat is a famous river port with an impressive area of over 126 square miles.

The downtown area of Surat is about 7 miles from the shores of the Arabian Sea. Surat is approximately 700 miles from New Delhi, 165 miles south of Ahmedabad, 180 miles north of Mumbai, and 175 miles south of Gandhinagar, the state capital. The city enjoys a strategic location, facing a small harbor in the Tapi River delta.

Surat is a center of transportation and IT, known for high living standards and numerous IT-related businesses. The local culture includes rich traditions, numerous festivals and celebrations, and unique cuisine, including specific local desserts. The largest outskirts districts of Surat include Magdalla, Adajan, Katargam, Kamrej, Udhna, and others. A notable natural area, Hazira Mangroves National Forest, is located about 6 miles west of the city center on an island in the Tapi River delta and is a popular tourist destination.