Meghalaya is a small state in north-eastern India. It is bounded on the south by Bangladesh and on all other sides by Assam state. Meghalaya 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 8,700 sq mi (22,720 km²). It was originally part of Assam, but on 21st January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya. There are 7 districts in this state.
The capital of the state is Shillong also known as the Scotland of the East which has a population of 260,000. Shillong has one of the world's highest rainfall averages 10,920 mm (430 in). The word "Meghalaya" literally means "The Abode of Clouds" in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Khasi and Garo with English is the official language of the State.
There are different legends, beliefs and findings about the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is said that Khasis were the earliest immigrants who made their way across northern Myanmar to Khasi in the plain of East Assam where they established new centre. Khasis linguistically represents the Mon-khmer speeches spoken in South-East Asia. The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes each had their own kingdoms, until they came under the British administration them in the 19th century. Eventually, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. After the Independence in 1947, Meghalaya was given autonomous status within Assam. However the Meghalayans were not satisfied with the arrangement and started a peaceful and constitutional struggle for more independence. The turning point in their struggle came when Assam introduced Assamese as the state language, a language unknown to the tribes of Meghalaya. The Centre recognised their plight and their right for a state of their own. In the year 1972, Meghalaya became a full-fledged state in the Republic of India.
Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian economy. The important crops of the state are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana, oranges etc. Major industrial towns are Shillong, Jowai, Nongthymmai, and Tura. About one third of the state is forested. The Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion encompasses the state; its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical forests to the north and south. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. The service sector comprises of Real estate and Insurance companies. Meghalaya's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $1.6 billion in current prices.
The climate of Meghalaya varies with the altitude. The climate of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills is uniquely pleasant and caressing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is hot and humid, except in winter.
The capital of the state is Shillong also known as the Scotland of the East which has a population of 260,000. Shillong has one of the world's highest rainfall averages 10,920 mm (430 in). The word "Meghalaya" literally means "The Abode of Clouds" in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Khasi and Garo with English is the official language of the State.
There are different legends, beliefs and findings about the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is said that Khasis were the earliest immigrants who made their way across northern Myanmar to Khasi in the plain of East Assam where they established new centre. Khasis linguistically represents the Mon-khmer speeches spoken in South-East Asia. The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes each had their own kingdoms, until they came under the British administration them in the 19th century. Eventually, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. After the Independence in 1947, Meghalaya was given autonomous status within Assam. However the Meghalayans were not satisfied with the arrangement and started a peaceful and constitutional struggle for more independence. The turning point in their struggle came when Assam introduced Assamese as the state language, a language unknown to the tribes of Meghalaya. The Centre recognised their plight and their right for a state of their own. In the year 1972, Meghalaya became a full-fledged state in the Republic of India.
Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian economy. The important crops of the state are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana, oranges etc. Major industrial towns are Shillong, Jowai, Nongthymmai, and Tura. About one third of the state is forested. The Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion encompasses the state; its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical forests to the north and south. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. The service sector comprises of Real estate and Insurance companies. Meghalaya's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $1.6 billion in current prices.
The climate of Meghalaya varies with the altitude. The climate of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills is uniquely pleasant and caressing. It is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter, but over the plains of Garo Hills, the climate is hot and humid, except in winter.
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