Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, located approximately 80 km (50 mi) west of the border with Bangladesh.
The city serves as the primary financial and commercial center for eastern India and acts as a gateway to northeastern India. While the population of the city proper is estimated at 4.5 million, the Kolkata Metropolitan Area is the third most populous metropolitan region in India, with over 15 million residents.
Kolkata is widely regarded as the cultural capital of India. It holds significant historical and cultural importance within the historic region of Bengal.