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The name of the city Jalpaiguri actually comes from the Bhutanese term je-le-pe-gu-ri meaning a place where warm clothes are traded, suggesting a trading center. Another suggestion is that it is from the word Jalpai meaning olive, and Guri meaning place. Jalpaiguri once had many olive trees. With time, Jalpaiguri emerged as the most important city next to Siliguri in North Bengal. Lying just 42 kilometres away from Siliguri, it is the Twin city to Siliguri. Jalpaiguri is the largest city and is presently the headquarters of the Jalpaiguri District and also the headquarters of the Jalpaiguri Division, comprising all districts of North Bengal.
Jalpaiguri is located at 26°31′N 88°44′E / 26.52°N 88.73°E / 26.52; 88.73. It has an average elevation of 75 metres (246 feet). Jalpaiguri lies in the middle of the vast fertile plains(Terai)south of the Himalayas,watered by innumerable rivers and rivulets rising from and flowing down the Himalayas.On a clear sunny day,Mount Kanchenjunga is visible from the city itself.The city lies on the banks of the Teesta river which is the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganges.A mass flood in 1968 nearly flattened out the city and huge spurs had to be built and the river diverted to some km. outside the city to avoid the same carnage as it caused. Other than the Teesta, the Karala river, nicknamed the "Thames of Jalpaiguri", flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two halves.
Climate
The City of Jalpaiguri experiences three seasons mainly, namely Summer; Monsoons and Winter.
Summers are tropical and quite hot with temperatures ranging in the mid-thirties.The highest recorded temperature in Jalpaiguri is 42.5 degree Celsius. Monsoons are very severe with the City experiencing high amount of rainfall, sometimes stalling all life and activities. Winters are again quite severe and chilly, with the cold Himalayan winds blowing straight into the city. Temperatures are around 8 to 14 degrees Celsius during this period. The lowest recorded temperature in Jalpaiguri City is 1.2 degree Celsius. (citation needed)
Urbanization
In the 2011 census, Jalpaiguri CityUrban Agglomeration had a population of approximately more than 3,03,874; out of which 1,53,564 were males and 1,50,310 were females. The 0–6 years population was 76,526. Effective literacy rate for the 8+ population was 91.25 per cent.
As of 2001 India census, Jalpaiguri had a population of 2,30,145. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Jalpaiguri has an average literacy rate of 91%, higher than the national average of 79.5%:male literacy is 91%, and female literacy is 89%. In Jalpaiguri City,34% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Civic administration
Administration is the responsibility of the Jalpaiguri city Municipality, the 5th oldest in West Bengal after that of Kolkata, Howrah, Berhampore and Burdwan. Setup in 1885, it is headed by a Chairman who is elected by the all residents of the City. It has quite about 40 wards, from where the councilors are elected. Presently the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is in power of this municipal body. The current Municipal Chairman is Mr. Mohan Bose. The responsibility of the welfare of the city and maintenance of public properties lies in its hands.
Presently,the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station lying just 38 km. from the city which is the largest station in North Bengal & the 3rd in the North-East after Guwahati and Dibrugarh, is shared by Jalpaiguri along with Siliguri.
India
Jalpaiguri travel guide from Wikivoyage
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