Sambalpur in the eastern state of Odisha, is the second largest city by population in Western Odisha and is the district headquarter of Sambalpur district.
Sambalpur is the seat of Sambalpur Metropolitan Area which consists of Hirakud and Burla. The administrative entity for most of the city is Sambalpur Municipality which has 1,83,383 inhabitants in thirty different wards as per the 2011 census. Hirakud and Burla are the two different Notified Area Councils of Sambalpur Metropolitan Area. The total population of Sambalpur Metropolitan Area is 2,69,565. In the year 1883, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. Along with Hirakud and Burla, Sambalpur is the region's economic and education hub. The city contains many historic buildings and parks, and is also the commercial capital of Western Odisha. In 1967 a university was established at Burla, known as Sambalpur University. Hirakud Dam, the longest earthen dam in the world and the largest artificial lake of Asia is situated at Hirakud
