Gujarat, one of India's most prosperous states lying in Western India is popular not only for being the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, but also the site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The population of Gujarat is 60,383,628 (2011 census) and the state covers an area of 1, 96,024 sq km and shares its border with the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The state has a literacy rate of 79.31 percent. Gujarat is the 7th largest state in India in terms of area. The 196,024 sq kms of area in the state is divided into 26 districts at present. The state of Gujarat had 17 districts when it was formed in the year 1960. All the northern districts of the Bombay, which was a state in its own till then, were a part of Gujarat after 1960.The state currently has 26 districts (226 talukas, 18,618 villages, 242 towns). The capital of Gujarat is Gandhinagar, with Ahmedabad as its largest city. Ahmedabad is the most populated District in the State, with 7.20 million people.
The economic growth indicators of Gujarat have been impressive with an achievement of an average annual growth rate of 10.4 % in the last five years, a figure that is higher than that of the "Asian Tigers". Gujarat contributes to 16% of the industrial production of the country and has also mobilized the highest share (12.7%) of the investments. Gujarat ranks high in the manufacturing sector.
Gujarat tops Agri Growth table at 9.6% with Agriculture Infrastructure achieving maximum growth between 2000-2008.The principal revenue generation from agriculture comes from cotton-a cash crop. The agricultural economy of Gujarat is dependent upon the seasonal cotton yields.
Gujarat positioned itself as a leader in a variety of industrial sectors including Textiles, Engineering, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Cement and Ceramics, IT, Electronics, Dairy and Food Processing, Power & Renewable etc
The industrial economy of Gujarat is greatly dependent on the availability of power. Gujarat added 35% to its existing power generation capacity after liberalization of the Indian economy. Besides, 37,617 km of road network, 5,188 km of railway network, 2,200 km gas grid, 1 International Airport, 6 Domestic Airports and 6 Air-strips, 23 power plants adds to the growth of industry in Gujarat. Gujarat is well-connected to major cities in the USA, EU, Asia and other Indian metropolitan cities through ports. Gujarat’s 40 Minor Ports, many in the private sector, handle around 80% of cargo handled by all private ports in India. Besides, the available medical infrastructure and easily accessible healthcare facilities have remarkably improved the health index of the population over the last few years.
High on Exports with impressive performance, Gujarat’s Export share in India is highest contributing to an average over 14% share in India. Gujarat contributed around 70% in the gems and jewellery sector, 30% in pharmaceuticals, 20% in textiles, 12% in engineering and 18% in chemicals.
Tourism in Gujarat has a wide scope for the tourists, as it includes wide range of forts and museums, wild life sanctuaries, temples and mosques, and other places of interest. Some such forts and palaces that deserve special mention in Gujarat tourism are:
