Siliguri is a Metropolitan city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck — a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its north eastern states. It is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The town hosts over 500,000 domestic and 15,000 foreign visitors annually. It is the commercial nerve center of North Bengal.

Siliguri is situated in Darjeeling district, and though it is the district's largest city, the district headquarters is located at Darjeeling. Siliguri is a unique city as 15 out of 47 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation falls in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district. The Indian army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Shashatra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Assam Rifles have bases around the city. The Bagdogra Airport is located within the Indian Air Force (IAF) cantonment area. Siliguri has an Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) oil depot near the southern edge of the town. Siliguri is the second largest city of West Bengal after Kolkata and second largest urban agglomeration after Kolkata.

Siliguri is experiencing a rapid expansion of its population. In a 2001 India census, the number of residents was 1,220,275. According to estimates for 2008, 1,559,275 people live in the city. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Siliguri has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 66.0%; male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 65%. In Siliguri, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

Siliguri is a metropolitan city with Marwari, Bengali and Nepali people living peacefully. Marwaris are a majority followed by Bengalis, Nepali speaking communities.

Siliguri has seen waves of massive immigration over the years. Most prominent being the migrants from Bangladesh, Assam, Nepal and Bihar. In addition, people from Jharkhand and other parts of India are also coming to the city in search of livelihood. The influx has led to an abnormally high population growth.