Ahmedabad is located in central-northern Gujarat, positioned on the banks of the Sabarmati River. The river roughly divides the city into two distinct halves: the historical eastern section and the rapidly developing western section.
The surrounding region is largely flat and features a hot, semi-arid environment. The soils are predominantly sandy and loamy, highly suitable for cultivating cotton, which historically catalyzed the city's textile industry. In addition to the Sabarmati, the city is dotted with several notable lakes, the most famous being Kankaria Lake, built in the 15th century, and the modern Vastrapur Lake.
The city's natural geography is largely shaped by the Sabarmati River basin. Over the last two decades, the river's flow, historically dependent on the monsoon, has been stabilized year-round by the Narmada Canal system, which also feeds the acclaimed Sabarmati Riverfront development.
