About New Delhi

New Delhi  pronunciation (help·info) (Hindi: नई दिल्ली, naī dillī; Urdu: نئی دلّی, nayee dillī;) is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is 42.7 km2.[1] New Delhi hosts 134 foreign embassies and high commissions.

The foundation of the city was laid on December 15, 1911. It was planned by two leading 20th century British architects namely Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker. The new Capital was christened "New Delhi" in 1927,[2] and subsequently inaugurated on February 13, 1931[3], by British India's Governor-General Lord Irwin. On December 12, 2011, New Delhi celebrated 100 years of Capitalship, making it another landmark year in the long history of the historic capital of the region of Delhi.

New Delhi is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub complex.[4] There are areas like Old Delhi and Mehrauli in New Delhi which have a number of heritage structures.

It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and has a total population of nearing three hundred thousand residents. New Delhi is one of the world’s top global cities.[5] The World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University rated New Delhi as an "alpha- world city".[6] The National Geographic's Traveler Magazine describes it as "one of the Ultimate Cities of a Lifetime to visit and explore."[7] In a report jointly prepared by Institute for Competitiveness and Confederation of Indian Industry, the city is listed as the best to live in India.[8][9] According to Mercer, New Delhi is the most expensive city in India for expatriates in terms of cost of living.[10] New Delhi is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and is home to numerous national institutions, museums and landmarks.