Ghaziabad is an industrial city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located about 1.5 km east of the Hindon River at latitude 28° 40' north and longitude 77° 25' east. It is 19 km east of Delhi and 46 km southwest of Meerut. The city houses the headquarters of the Ghaziabad district. It was initially part of the Meerut district after independence, till the time when — due to some political intervention — Ghaziabad was separated and given a new district status. The reason cited was that it would be easier to manage if a big district like Meerut were divided into two parts, though it has been stated that the true motivation was political.

Ghaziabad was founded in 1740 by the vizir Ghazi-un-ddin. He named it after himself and called it Ghaziuddinnagar.

The city was the scene of fighting during the Indian Mutiny, 1857–58, revolt that began with Indian soldiers in the Bengal army of the British East India Company but developed into a widespread uprising against British rule in India. In an encounter between the freedom fighters and a small British force the former were defeated while trying to hold the Hindon. This was the first war of independence and it brought Ghaziabad much of its glory.

From the historical cultural, mythological and archaeological point of view Ghaziabad is a prosperous city. This has been proved from the research work and excavations done in the district. The excavation work carried out at the mound of Kaseri situated on the bank of river Hindon, 2 km north from Mohan Nagar shows that civilization was developed here in 2500 B.C[citation needed].

Ghaziabad is situated about 2.5 km from the Hindon river. On the north it is bound by the district of Meerut, on the south by that of Bulandshahar & Gautambudh Nagar, on the south-west by Delhi and on the east by the district Jyotibaphule Nagar. As its boundary is adjacent to Delhi, it acts as the main entrance to Uttar Pradesh and hence is also called the Gateway of Uttar Pradesh.

Ganga, Yamuna and Hindon are the main rivers flowing through the district and they are filled with water throughout the year. Other than these there are some small rain-fed rivers, prominent among them is the Kali river. Apart from these rivers the Ganaga Canal flows through the district and irrigation work is carried out through different branches of the canal. The Ganga canal also caters to the drinking water needs of the people of Ghaziabad as well as Delhi.

Ghaziabad Railway stationGhaziabad can be reached by air, road and rail. The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport which is about 45 km away. By road, Ghaziabad is well-connected on all sides to Delhi, NOIDA, Hapur, Modinagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Haridwar, etc. A large number of people commute to Delhi,Noida,Greater Noida and Gurgaon everyday for work.

There are bus terminuses at Mohan Nagar, Lohia Nagar, Vasundhara and close to Meerut Road from where Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses serve cities over the state.

Ghaziabad is also well-connected to all parts of the country through railway line. It is a railway junction and several lines pass through Ghaziabad. The main railway station is situated in the middle of the city. The city is very well connected to Delhi and other neighbouring cities through Fast Moving Local Trains called EMU. Several trains connect Ghaziabad to Meerut, Aligarh, Delhi, New delhi, Faridabad, Palwal, Mathura, etc.