Vadodara or Baroda is one of four cities in the state of Gujarat with a population of over 1 million.
It is also known as the Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji's City after its famous ruler, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad or Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture, a reference to its status as the cultural capital of Gujarat).
Vadodara, formerly the capital city of the Gaekwad State, is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri. It is located southeast of Ahmedabad. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District.
Vadodara is home to almost 1.6 million people (as of 2005), the beautiful Lakshmi Vilas Palace and The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (M.S.U.) which is the largest university in Gujarat and undoubtedly the best.
It is well-known for its various faculties and departments, including the Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Technology, Management, Psychology, Social Work and Medicine streams. It has a high literacy rate by Indian standards of 78% (2001).
Major industries include petrochemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, plastics and Forex. Famous companies such as ABB, Reliance Industries, Larsen and Toubro, IPCL, ONGC and Sun Pharmaceuticals all have a strong presence in this city.
Vadodara is located at 22°18′N 73°11′E? / ?22.30°N 73.19°E in western India at an elevation of 39 metres (123 feet).
There are three main seasons: Summer, Monsoon and Winter. Aside from the monsoon season, the climate is dry. The weather is hot through the months of March to July — the average summer maximum is 36 °C (97 °F), and the average minimum is 23 °C (73 °F).
From November to February, the average maximum temperature is 30 °C (85 °F), the average minimum is 15 °C (59 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill in January.
The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average rainfall is 93 cm (36.7 inches).
Winter Temperature: Max 29 °C, Min 9 °C
Summer Temperature: Max 46 °C, Min 24 °C
Rainfall (mid-June to mid-September): 931.9 mm
The city is on the major rail and road arteries joining Mumbai with Delhi and Mumbai with Ahmedabad.
Vadodara Airport (IATA: BDQ) is located north-east of the city and is linked with Mumbai, New Delhi and other towns of India by several national carriers.
Vadodara railway junction is Gujarat's busiest, with almost 150 trains passing everyday. One can travel to almost all the parts of India from Vadodara. Trains like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and important Mail/Express Trains halt at Vadodara.
National Highway 8, connecting Delhi & Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad to Mumbai, passes through the city.
Vadodara is also connected with Ahmedabad through Indian National Expressway 1, a stretch of 97 km Super Highway with exits at Anand, Nadiad, S.P.Ring Road and finally Ahmedabad (or Baroda depending on where you are coming from.)
Public transport vehicles within the city include buses, autorickshaws and taxis. There are a few private bus and taxi services as well.
