Surat pronunciation is a port city in the Indian state of Gujarat and administrative headquarters of the Surat District. As of 2007, Surat and its metropolitan area had a population of approximately 4 million. It is the second largest city in Gujarat and ninth largest in India.

The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, 14 miles from its mouth. A moat divides the older parts of the city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the newer suburbs. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Surat is also considered a relatively clean city in India. It has one of the highest GDP growth rates in India at 11.5% as of 2008. Surat was the primary port of India during the Mughal era, a distinction it lost to Bombay during the British Raj.

Tapi RiverLocal traditions fix the establishment of the modern city in the last years of the fifteenth century, and in 1514 the Portuguese traveller Duarte Barbosa described it as an important seaport, frequented by many ships from Malabar and various parts of the world. There still is a picturesque fortress on the banks of the river built in 1540. One particular village in the suburbs of Surat is Barbodhan Village, possibly named after the explorer Duarte Barbosa (it derives from "Bab-ul-Aden"—Doorway to Aden, Yemen—where it has strong cultural and trading links).

Surat eclipsed Cambay as the major port of western India, as Cambay's harbour had begun to silt up by the end of fifteenth century. Subsequently during the reigns of Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan it rose to become the chief commercial city of India. An Imperial mint was established at Surat during that time. As the major port on the west coast of India, Surat also served as the port for the Hajj to Mecca. At the end of the 16th century the Portuguese were undisputed masters of the Surat sea trade.

In 1608, ships from the British East India Company started docking in Surat, since ir was a trade and transit point. In 1612, the British Captain Best, and after him Captain Downton, overcame Portuguese naval supremacy and obtained an imperial firman establishing a British factory at Surat following the Battle of Swally. The city was made the seat of a presidency under the British East India Company after the great success of the embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the court of emperor Jehangir. The Dutch also founded a factory.

On April 29, 2007 Surat's first domestic airport opened for business and it started scheduled flights on May 6, 2007.

Traffic Circle Near IchchhanathSurat is a port city situated on the banks of the Tapti river (though the port has disappeared because of the damming of the river Tapti, the nearest port is now in Hazira which falls in the metropolitan area of Surat). The city is located at 21.17° N 72.83° E.[3] It has an average elevation of 13 meters. The Surat district is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada (North), Navsari and Dang (South) districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. The climate is tropical and the monsoon is abundant (about 2500 mm a year).


Winter Temperature: Max 31 °C, Min 12 °C
Summer Temperature: Max 42 °C, Min 24 °C
Rainfall (mid-June to mid-September): 931.9 mm
Lowest Recorded Temperature: 6.5 °C
Highest Recorded Temperature: 48 °C

Surat is well known in India for its unique Surti cuisine. Some unique dishes of Surat include Surti Ghari, Locho, Surti Undhiyu, Rasawala Khaman, Cold coco, Surti Chinese. Many of the popular dishes of Gujarat originated in this region. Contrary to popular belief, Surti cuisine is not as sweet as the stereotypical Gujarati food, and is quite spicy.

The most popular eating spots are roadside kiosks, called "laaris" or "rekdis". In the cooler winter months, Suratis converge at river Tapi's banks to eat Ponk; it is a roasted cereal that is available only in this part of the world.

All major Indian festivals are celebrated in Surat. Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The kite-flying festival of Makar Sankranti is very popular in the city. It is also well known for the celebration of Chandi Padvo which usually occurs around October and is celebrated in Surat alone. This day comes after one of the two biggest full moon days of the Hindu calendar year, "Sharad Purnima". On this day, Surtis buy almost 100 tons of Ghari and other Surati delicacies, then head to Dumas where they have dinner and a late night snack under the full moon-lit sky.