Geography, Coastline & Rann
Gujarat GK · भूगोल, तटरेखा और रण · 18 facts
Gujarat has the longest coastline of any Indian state at approximately 1,600 km, accounting for about 23% of India's total coastline.
The Kathiawar (Saurashtra) Peninsula in western Gujarat is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides and is a distinct geographical region.
Kutch district is the largest district in India by area (45,652 sq km), comprising nearly half the area of Gujarat.
The Great Rann of Kutch is the world's largest salt desert, spread over 7,505 sq km; it becomes a shallow saline wetland during monsoon.
The Little Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh that serves as the only habitat of the Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur), a critically endangered species.
The Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) on Gujarat's southeastern coast is known for tidal bores and was an important medieval trade route.
The Gulf of Kutch on Gujarat's western coast hosts India's first Marine National Park (1982) with rich coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
The Sabarmati River, originating in the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, flows through Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar before meeting the Gulf of Khambhat.
The Narmada River forms Gujarat's southern boundary; the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada is one of India's largest dams.
Girnar Hill near Junagadh is the highest peak in Gujarat at 1,117 m and is a sacred site for both Hindus and Jains.
Gir Forest in Saurashtra is the last natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) in the world.
The Rann of Kutch hosts the world's largest flamingo breeding colony; hundreds of thousands of flamingos nest in the salt marshes.
Gujarat is divided into four geographical regions: Saurashtra (peninsula), Kutch (northwest), North Gujarat, and South Gujarat.
The Tapti (Tapi) River flows through Surat before entering the Arabian Sea; Surat is located at the mouth of this river.
Banas, Rupen, and Saraswati rivers flow through North Gujarat; the seasonal Saraswati is associated with the ancient Vedic river.
The Gir Somnath district, formed in 2013, includes the famous Somnath temple on the Gulf of Khambhat coastline.
Gujarat's total area is 196,024 sq km, making it the 5th largest state in India; it has 33 districts and borders Rajasthan, MP, and Maharashtra.
The Aravalli Mountain Range enters southeastern Gujarat and influences the geography of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts.