History of Kolkata
Job Charnock, chief of East India Company's factory at Hooghly, established a factory in Kalikata on 24 August 1690. This date is widely accepted as the foundation day of Kolkata / Calcutta. Kolkata has come a long way since then.

The Main City
Kolkata (Calcutta) is one of the largest cities in the world. It's the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal. Its coordinates are 22°30’ N and 88.°30’ E. The former capital of British India, Kolkata today forms the commercial and industrial hub of eastern India.

Religion
Calcutta is a city of communal harmony. While a majority of the population is Hindu, Muslims and Christians are the major minority communities. The city is also home to Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and various other religious groups.

Metro Railway
Metro Railway, Kolkata is the first underground Metro Railway in India.It extends from Dum-Dum near Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport, Kolkata to Tollygunj, the busy north south axis of Kolkata over a length of 16.45 Kms.There are Seventeen Stations en route at about one km apart.

Howrah Station
The Howrah Railway Station is one of the largest in the world with rail connections to all major Indian cities and towns. Howrah Station also serves as an important terminus for the suburban railway services of the Eastern and the South Eastern Railway.

Kolkata Port
Kolkata Port is India's only riverine port with two dock systems - Kolkata Dock System at Kolkata with the oil wharves at Baj Baj and a deep water dock system at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia for sea borne trade. It has the most sophisticated port facilities with extensive storage facility for diverse cargo.

Financial Institutions
Kolkata is eastern India's main financial center. Like many other firsts, the banking industry in India has its roots in Kolkata. The Bank of Calcutta was established in 1806 and later on became the Bank of Bengal. In 1921, the banks of Bengal, Madras and Bombay were merged to form the Imperial Bank of India. The Imperial bank of India was succeeded by the State Bank of India in 1955.

Business & Economy
Calcutta is one of India's leading industrial and commercial centers. Industrialization started early because of Calcutta's stature as the British Empire's second city. With the opening of the Suez Canal, Mumbai overtook Calcutta in importance.

Activities

Kolkata's colonial heritage offers activities rarely found elsewhere in India. The magnificent Royal Calcutta Golf Club at the Tollygunge Club is the oldest golf club in the world outside Britain (established 1829). The club also offers horse riding and swimming.