The "Toy Train" approaching Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal and centre of the region of the same name, situated in the foothills of the Himalaya at elevations of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres above sea level.

The region is best known for its tea. Darjeeling tea has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the UK and the countries comprising the former British Empire.

Adulteration and falsification are serious problems in the global tea trade; the amount of tea sold worldwide as Darjeeling every year exceeds 40,000 tonnes, while the annual tea production of Darjeeling itself is estimated at only 8,000 to 11,000 tonnes, including local consumption. To combat this situation, the Tea Board of India (http://www.teaindia.org/) administers the Darjeeling certification mark and logo (http://www.teaindia.org/darjeeling1.html).

The town of Darjeeling can be reached by the 80-km long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (nicknamed the "Toy Train") from Siliguri, or by a road which follows the railway line - and frequently crosses it.

Darjeeling Panorama from the tea fields

See also

• Kalimpong

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