Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Civic Brief • City

Delhi

Delhi is a city and union territory in north-central India, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Delhi is a city and union territory in north-central India that includes New Delhi, the national capital. It is a major political, cultural, and commercial centre.

What it is

Delhi is officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi, a union territory with a special administrative status. It contains both Old Delhi and New Delhi, and New Delhi serves as the capital of India, housing key government institutions.

Key details

Delhi lies in north-central India near the Yamuna River, bordering Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. It covers about 1,484 square kilometres and had a population of 16.8 million in the 2011 census. Hindi is the most widely spoken language, with Urdu, Punjabi, and English also used.

Why it matters

For Canadian readers, Delhi is India’s capital region and a major international centre for diplomacy, trade, education, and travel. It is a key hub for bilateral relations and global business.

In short

  • Delhi is a union territory and city, not a state.
  • New Delhi is the capital of India.
  • Population: 16.8 million (2011 census).
  • Major languages: Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, English.
Canadian angle

Delhi is relevant to Canadian readers as India’s capital region and a major international centre for diplomacy, trade, education, and travel.

Quick questions

Where is Delhi?
Delhi is in north-central India, on the Yamuna River, bordering Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
What is Delhi known for?
Delhi is known as India’s national capital region, for its political institutions, historic districts like Old Delhi, and its role as a major cultural and commercial centre.
What is the capital of India?
New Delhi is the capital of India, and it is part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi
    Supports: Official name, status as union territory, inclusion of New Delhi, location, population, and coordinates.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Delhi
    Supports: Delhi as a city and national capital territory, its location in north-central India, and population figures.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi
    Supports: New Delhi as the capital city of India and part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
  4. Maps of India — https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/delhi/
    Supports: Bordering states, cultural and political significance, and commonly spoken languages.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Delhi
    Supports: Population, area, and the distinction between Delhi and New Delhi.