Meghalaya

Meghalaya (ma'g?la'y?), state (2001 provisional pop. 2,306,069), c.8,700 sq mi (22,530 sq km), NE India, bordered on the south by Bangladesh. The capital is Shillong. Meghalaya is in the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills, at an elevation of 4,000–6,000 ft (1,220–1,830 m). The inhabitants are Khasi, Synteng, and Pner tribespeople, who speak a Mon-Khmer language. Christian missionaries have had considerable influence among Meghalaya's inhabitants; c.70% are Christian. Meghalaya was formerly part of Assam state; it became a separate state in 1972. It is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to an elected unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by the president of India. Meghalaya suffers sporadic violence as indigenous hill peoples try to repel illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Meghalaya

Capital				Shillong
Largest city 			Shillong 
Abbreviation 			IN-ML 
Official languages 		Garo, Khasi, English 
Formation 			1971-01-25 
Area 				22,429 km² (22nd) 
Population (2001) 		2,306,069 (23rd) 
Density 			103/km² 
Districts 			7 

 

Meghalaya 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 Cherrapunji, south of capital Shillong holds the world record for most rain in a calendar month while the village of Mawsynram, near town of Cherrapunji 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.

Districts

Notable personalities