Agra, India

Agra is a city located on the banks of the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the district headquarters of Agra division and Agra district. Agra is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh, and the 19th most populous city in India. Agra has an urban population of 1,686,993 (2011 census), while the district has a population of 2,146,990 (2011 census). It is the second-most populous city in Uttar Pradesh, after Kanpur. Agra is the tourist capital of Uttar Pradesh, and one of the most populous cities in North India. Agra is a major tourist destination due to its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra is included on the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Jaipur; and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc, tourist circuit of UP state, along Lucknow and Varanasi. Agra has two World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and was described by UNESCO as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Agra Fort is the best-preserved fort in India, and was described by UNESCO as "the most important fort of the Mughal Empire". Fatehpur Sikri, a city founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569, is about 40 kilometers from Agra. The city was the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585, when it was abandoned due to water shortages. The city of Agra has many interesting places to visit, and a rich history that is sure to fascinate any traveler. I hope this brief introduction has helped you to understand a little more about this amazing city, and that you will come and explore it for yourself soon.