Meghalaya
|
|
IndiaMeghalaya.png
Meghalaya (मेघालय) is a small state in north-eastern India. It is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long (East-West) and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 22,429 sq km. The population numbered 2,175,000 in 2000. The state is bounded on the north by Assam, with the Brahmaputra River as the border between them, and on the south by Bangladesh. The capital is Shillong, which has a population of 260,000.
Meghalaya was originally part of Assam, and became a separate state on 21 January 1972.
The climate of Meghalaya is moderate but humid, the average annual rainfall going as high as 1200 cm in some areas, making it the wettest state of India. The town of Cherrapunjee, south of capital Shillong holds the world record for most rain in a calendar month while the village of Mawsynram, near town of Cherrapunjee holds the distinction of seeing the heaviest yearly rains. About one third of the state is forested. The ranges of the Garo Hills in the west, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills in the east are not especially high, with Shillong Peak the highest point at 1,965 m. Many caves are known to exist with unique limestone structures forming curious stalactites and stalagmites.
Tribal peoples make up about 85 percent of Meghalaya's population. The Khasi, the largest group, followed by the Garos, were among those known to the British as "hill tribes". Other groups include the Jaintias and the Hajong (40,000). About fifteen percent of the population is defined as non-tribal; these include about 54,000 Bengalis and 49,000 Shaikhs. Meghalaya is one of three states in India to have a Christian majority; the other two (Nagaland and Mizoram) are also in the north-east of India. A sizeable minority (16%) of the population follow an ancient Animist philosophy.
Although the state government has been promoting tourism, separatist groups (ULFA and NDFB) have been using the Garo Hills recently as a base of operations; the rugged forested terrain and the border with Bangladesh make the hills a good hideout.
| Contents |
Districts
- East Garo Hills
- East Khasi Hills
- Jaintia Hills
- Ri Bhoi
- South Garo Hills
- West Garo Hills
- West Khasi Hills
Notable personalities
Politics
List of political parties in the state
Facts and figures
External link
- Meghalaya State homepage (http://meghalaya.nic.in/)
- Resource for information on the khasis (http://www.khasinet.org/)
Template:Indiade:Meghalaya et:Meghalaya fr:Meghalaya hi:मेघालय pt:Meghalaya sv:Meghalaya ta:மேகாலயா