Delhi is the national capital of India and is also the largest metropolis of the nation. Apart from this it also happens to be the world's most populous city within the municipal city limits. Its ideal geographical location is at 28°61′N, 77°23′E, and lies in the northern part of India. The city shares its borders with the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh in the east and Haryana on west, north and south. It is placed almost entirely on the Gangetic plains and has its origin from the Aravalli Range in the south, west, northeast and northwest parts of the city. The only major river that flows through the city is Yamuna and the major portion of the city lies to the west of the river.
Delhi has its strategic location in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), and is possessor of the political status of a federally-administered Union Territory within the National Capital Region. It was in the year 1991, when a constitutional amendment gave Delhi a special status among the Union Territories and its own legislative assembly with limited powers. In additon, the National Capital Territory of Delhi from July 2007, is comprised of nine districts, 27 tehsils, 59 census towns, 165 villages. There are also three statutory towns in the region. This includes the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD); the New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC); and the Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB). It is spread over an area of 1,483 sq. km. (573 sq mi), of which 783 sq.km. (302 sq mi) is designated rural, and 700 km² (270 sq mi) urban.
The city has a very ancient history dating back to the age of Mahabharata, the internationlly famed epic. From that period till now innumerable dynasties have ruled India but almost all of them made this city their capitals. However, from 1757 to 1911 Kolkata (then Calcutta) remained the national capital. The place and its dignity remained unchanged even in the independent India. With the passing of years and immigration of people from across the country, the city has adopted a cosmopolitan outlook. Economically it is the second largest commerial center after Mumbai and has a per capita income of 53,976 INR which is around 2.5 times of the national average. Due to effective process of industrialisation and generation of income the unemployment rate has reduced drastically in the recent years, from 12.57% in 1999–2000 to 4.63% in 2003.
The city is also a proud possessor of nationally and internationally acclaimed educational institutions. There are 165 colleges, five medical colleges, eight engineering colleges, six universities and nine deemed universities in the city.
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Delhi
