Surat is Gujarat's second-largest city and the diamond capital of the world -- the vast majority of the world's diamonds are cut and polished here. It is also a major centre for the textile industry, particularly synthetic fabrics and embroidered saris.
The city was one of India's most important trading ports during the Mughal era, and the old Dutch and English trading quarters along the Tapi river still have a few surviving colonial buildings and the impressive old Surat Castle. The city is also famous for its street food -- Surti locho (a steamed snack) and Surti undhiyu are local specialities.