Delhi

Delhi is a major city in northern India and the seat of the country's national government. The name Delhi commonly refers to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, a union territory that includes many urban districts and contains New Delhi, the part of the city where important central government institutions are located. Delhi lies on the banks of the Yamuna River, near the western edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Its location has helped make it an important centre of trade, transport and political power for centuries. The city has a hot semi-arid climate, with very hot summers, a rainy monsoon season and relatively cool winters. Air pollution can become particularly severe during the colder months because of weather conditions and several sources of emissions. Delhi is also one of India's most densely populated urban areas, and its metropolitan region extends well beyond the territory's administrative boundaries.

Delhi has a long and complex history. Several settlements and political centres developed in and around the area, and the city became an important capital under different Indian dynasties and later under the Mughal Empire. In the 20th century, New Delhi was planned as the capital of British India and was officially inaugurated in 1931. After India became independent in 1947, New Delhi remained the seat of the national government.

Today, Delhi combines historic sites, busy markets, residential neighbourhoods, universities and modern business districts. Places such as the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb reflect different periods of the city's past. Its mixture of historical layers, diverse communities and rapid urban development makes Delhi an important example of how a major city can evolve over many centuries.