A Traveler's Guide to Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the sixth largest city in India and the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city has earned the nickname "Cyberabad" because it is considered to be the information technology center of India. Several IT companies have their headquarters in Hyderabad.

As with most of India, Hyderabad has two distinct seasons: a dry season and a wet season. The months of June through October are the rainy season. As much as thirty inches of rain can fall during that time. Precipitation during the rest of the year is occasional but very light. Summer temperatures can exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temperatures usually stay in the 50's and 60's Fahrenheit.

Because of its central location, Hyderabad has traditionally been a mixing pot of sorts. Cultures and languages from north India and south India meet here and are blended into a unique combination. This has caused diversity in religion as well, with Muslims and Hindus mixing in the city. Mosques and temples are both found in abundance in Hyderabad. The Muslim residents of the city fast for thirty days during their celebration of Ramzan and the Hindu residents celebrate holidays such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Bonalu. This blend of the two cultures makes Hyderabad a very interesting place to visit.

The cuisine of Hyderabad has also benefited from the blending of cultures. Food in the city is a unique mix of Persian and traditional Indian food. One of the most traditional local foods is Hyderabadi Biryani.

The city is serviced by Rajiv Gandhi International Airport just to the southwest of the city. This airport was recently opened in 2008 to handle the increasing numbers of passengers traveling to Hyderabad. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has the longest runway in all of India, and can handle the largest passenger jest in the world. The airport is connected to the city through a series of highways and expressways. Taxis and buses offer convenient and efficient transportation throughout the city. In fact, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates approximately 19,000 buses in and around Hyderabad. This is the largest bus corporation in the world. These buses also carry passengers to neighboring cities and states in India.