Gujarat

Gujarat, on India's west coast, has the longest coastline of any Indian state and a remarkable range of landscapes: the white salt desert of the Rann of Kutch, the lion forests of Gir, the temple-studded hills of Palitana and the busy industrial cities of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. It is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born in Porbandar.

Gandhinagar is the capital, and Ahmedabad – whose historic city was India's first UNESCO World Heritage City – is the largest city.

The Harappan cities of Lothal and Dholavira show that the region was home to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Later it was ruled by the Mauryas, the Solankis – builders of the Modhera Sun Temple and Rani ki Vav step-well – the Gujarat Sultanate, the Mughals and the Marathas. The modern state was formed on 1 May 1960 when Bombay State was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Gujarat has three main regions: the Kutch peninsula with its salt marshes, the Saurashtra (Kathiawar) peninsula and mainland Gujarat crossed by the Sabarmati, Mahi, Narmada and Tapi rivers. The Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kutch indent its coast.

Gujarat is one of India's most industrialised states, with petrochemicals, refining at Jamnagar, textiles, pharmaceuticals, diamond cutting in Surat and major ports such as Kandla (Deendayal) and Mundra. It is also a leading producer of cotton, groundnut and milk through the cooperative dairy movement started at Anand.

Gujarati is the official language. Navratri, with nine nights of garba and dandiya dancing, is the most celebrated festival, and the kite festival of Uttarayan fills the skies in January. Patola silk from Patan, Kutch embroidery and bandhani tie-dye are famous crafts, and Gujarati thali, dhokla and thepla are loved across India.