Everything you need to know about New Delhi: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Introduction: New Delhi, the capital of India is situated in the north-central part of the country touching the boundaries of two states - Uttar Pradesh and Harayana. A British Architect Edwin Lutyen in British regime had designed the Central Part of Delhi, currently known as Lutyen?s zone. With total area of 1428 Square kilometer (sq.km) Delhi serves as the central place for the Government of India and Government of National Capital territory (NCT). New Delhi is the place for various national monumental institutions flooded with wide roads, tall tress and magnificent buildings. It is a place of central nerve of India and place of all major social, economical, political and cultural activities. History: Delhi remained as the political and financial center of several empires of ancient and medieval India, most notably of the Mughal Empire from 1799 to 1849. But sooner in 1900 the British administration under George V made a proposal to shift its capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Finally, this proposal was approved in 1911 when capital of British Raj shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. It was not only Delhi located at northern part and but also it would be easier for British government to execute their administrative power. Edwin Lutyen planned magnificent and architectural look of today?s New Delhi and contractor Shoba Singh made it possible. Lutyens designed the central administrative area as per Britain's imperial design. The Viceroy?s House (currently known as Rastrapati Bahwan ) had been put at the center of the city atop of Raisina Hill. The Rajpath, also known as King's Way runs across the ?India Gate? to the ?Rashtrapati Bhawan?. The Secretariat, the administrative house of various ministries of Central Government is situated around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Herbert Baker designed the Parliament house that runs parallel to Rajpath located at the Sansad Marg. In the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1991 Delhi had been declared as National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). A system of biarchy was introduced under which the elected Government was given powers, excluding law and order that will remain with the Central Government. The actual enforcement of this legislation came into force in 1993. Geography and climate: The National Capital Territory of Delhi is spread over an area of 1,484?km2 (573?sq?mi), of which 783?km2 (302?sq?mi) is rural area, and 700?km2 (270?sq?mi) urban. Delhi has a maximum length of 51.9?km (32?mi) and the maximum width of 48.48?km (30?mi). Delhi is situated at 28?37′N 77?14′E / 28.61, 77.23, and lies in northern India. Delhi shares borders with the states of Uttar Pradesh on East and Haryana on West, North and South. Delhi lies almost entirely in the Gangetic plains. Two important features of the geography of Delhi are the Yamuna flood plain and the Delhi ridge. The low-lying Yamuna flood plains provide fertile alluvial soil suitable for agriculture. Delhi has a continental climate with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to mid-October, with the monsoon season in between. Winter starts in late October and peaks in January and known for its heavy fog. Extreme temperatures range from −0.6 ?C (30.9 ?F) to 47??C (117??F). The annual mean temperature is 25 ?C (77 ?F); monthly mean temperatures range from 13 ?C to 32 ?C (56 ?F to 90 ?F). The amount average annual rainfall is approximately 714 mm (28.1 inches), most of which is during the monsoons in July and August.