Chandigarh

Chandigarh called City Beautiful is a union territory of India and serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana.The name translates from Hindi to English as "the fort of Chandi", Chandi being a Hindu Goddess.

Known internationally for its architecture and urban planning, Chandigarh is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer. The city boasts a high standard of living with the highest per capita income in the country and tops the list of Indian States and Union Territories with a Human Development Index of 0.674. On 15 July 2007, Chandigarh became the first Indian city to go smoke-free.

Located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in Northwest India it covers an area of approximately 114 km² and shares its borders with the states of Haryana in the south and Punjab in the north.The city derives its name from Chandi Mandir, a temple of goddess Chandi, located in nearby Panchkula district of Haryana. The word Chandigarh literally means "the fort of Chandi".

Several buildings and layouts in Chandigarh were designed by the Swiss-born French architect and planner, Le Corbusier in the 1950s.

The government is a major employer in Chandigarh with three governments having their base here. A significant percentage of Chandigarh’s population therefore consists of people who are either working for one of these governments or have retired from government service.

Chandigarh is famous for its gardens. They include Rose Garden, Bougenvilla Garden, Japanese Garden, Topiary Garden, Fragrance Garden, Leisure Valley, Sukhna Lake Park, Cactus Garden, Panchkula, Rock Garden, Rajendra Park, Silvi Park,  Botanical Garden,  Lahora Khuda, Rock Garden.

Major tourist spots include Sukhna Lake ,Rock Garden, The Museum and Art Gallery, The Open Hand Monument .

Facts at a glance : - Time zone: IST (UTC+5:30), Area: Elevation 114 km² (44 sq mi)• 350 m (1,148 ft), Capital: Chandigarh, Largest city: Chandigarh, Population:Density 900,635[1] (29) 7,900/km² (20,461/sq mi), Languages Punjabi, Hindi, English, Established: 1966, ISO abbreviation IN-CH