Indore is one of the well known commercial centers of India. Doted with a number of historical monuments and tourist spots the city of Indore stands as a major city of India. With a population of 1,516,918, according to the 2001 census, Indore is considered as 15th largest city of India and 147th largest city of the world. Indore played a major role in the history of India. Considered as a major halting centre this place served as a major trading centre under the Maratha Empire. Though with the decline of Maratha Empire Indore was declared as the capital of Holkar`s state under the rule of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Location of Indore
Located on the western side of Bhopal the city of Indore covers an area of 3898 sq.km. The latitudinal location of the city is between 22.42 degree north and 75.54 degree east with an altitude of 553metres from sea level. Placed at the centre of India the city of Indore touches the southern edge of Malwa plateau. Surrounded with Saraswati river and Khan rivers which are the tributaries of Shipra river, the city is located on the elevated plain of Yadri range in the south of India.

Climate of Indore
Along with its location the city of Indore enjoys a transitional weather which varies from tropical wet and dry climate to humid subtropical climate. The area can be marked with three distinct seasons namely the summer which starts from mid March and extends up to the month of April and May. This season witnesses a high temperature which rises from 44 degree Celsius to 48 degree Celsius. This is followed by the monsoon season which is short lived and starts from late June. This brings a cool temperature that varies from 26 degree Celsius accompanied by sustained torrential rainfall and high humidity. This helps to retain the greenery that surrounds the tourist spots of Indore. This is followed by the winter season that begins from mid of November. It has a dry mild and sunny weather which makes the winter season as one of the most pleasant seasons of Indore. As such with a temperate weather Indore also receives the clouds of retreating monsoon in the month of July and September.

Culture of Indore
Indore has been considered as the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh. With a cosmopolitan population the city of Indore is considered to be one of largest urban cities of India. Indore has been known for number festivals. It celebrates some popular festivals like Holi, Rangpanchmi, Baisakhi, Raksha Bandhan, Navratri, Dussehra, Ganeshotsav, Deepavali, Ramzan, Gudi Padwa, Bhaubeej, Eid, Christmas and other others like Nagpanchmi, Ahilya Utsav which entertain all the visitors of Indore. Along with this Indore is also known for a variety of food items variety of Namkeens, Poha & Jalebi, Chaats (snacks), Kachoris and Samosas which are popularly available in all the cusines. Also the popular restaurants serve a variety of Bengali, Muslim, Rajasthani, continental and confectionery sweets, as well as exotic dishes such as Dal-Bafla, Nihari Gosht and Bafla-Gosht which are the major delicacy of Indore and Malwa Region.

Tourism in Indore
Indore includes some of major tourist spots like Chhatri Bagh, Geeta Bhavan, Kanch Mandir (The Glass Temple), the zoo and the museum which are located within the city of Indore. Besides this the city of Indore is surrounded by some major tourist sights like Mandu , Khajuraho, Bagh caves which are mainly known for their historical background. Alongwith this it also includes some more picturesque sights like Shivapuri (120 km from Gwalior); a sacred place as well as a holiday resort; the extensive Sakhya Sagar lake and the Shivapuri National Park located nearby; Jabalpur which has scenic marble rocks; Madan Mahal- a fortress of the Gond kings, and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple. Panchmarhi- the evergreen 3,000-foot high lull-station on the Satpura Hills with a series of historical caves which is supposed to have been the dwelling of the Pandava brothers during their exile; Amarkantak- the pilgrim spot of Puranic fame on the Mackall Hill not far from the source of the river Narmada, Mandla Fort and forest, Onkar Mandhata on the Narmada with a number of temples and Kanha National Park which famous for tiger, swamp deer, bison, barking deer, sloth bear and the tumultuous Chitrakot Fall on the river Iravati in the tribal district of Bastar are the places of tourist`s delight.

Economy of Indore
As a commercial centre Indore is surrounded with a number of manufacturing industries which vary from small, medium and large scale industries to service industries. The industries vary from automobile industries to pharmaceutical industries and from software to retail dealers. Pitampura is the major industrial centre of Indore. With its commercial backup it is considered as one of the major commercial towns of India.

Indore is one of the richest and picturesque cities of India. Surrounded with a number of tourist spots this is considered to be major attraction for the tourists of India.