In this session, we will go through all Important Points related to Meghalaya that can be asked in your exams. Meghalaya is a state in the North Eastern part of India and is surrounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India’s State of Assam. State is divided into 11 districts with West Khasi Hills being the largest district by area and East Khasi Hills being the largest by population.
Meghalaya: Short Notes on States of India
- In Sanskrit Meghalaya word means “Abode of the Clouds“.
- It is one of the Seven Northeast sister states.
- Shillong is the Capital city.
- During British Period, they called this state as Scotland of the East.
- Earlier Meghalaya was part of Assam but in the Year 1972 the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills together formed a new state.
- The state of Meghalaya is mountainous, with stretches of valley and highland plateaus, and it is geologically rich. It consists mainly of Archean rock formations. These rock formations contain rich deposits of valuable minerals like coal, limestone, uranium and sillimanite.
- Khasis are the largest tribal group followed by Garo and Jaintia. Other tribe includes Koch and Bhois.
- Meghalaya is the wettest state of India.
- Almost 70% of the state are covered under Forest.
- Meghalaya is having Agrarian Economy. Important Crop production includes Potatoes, Rice, Maizes and Spices.
- English is the Official language of the State. It is widely spoken across the states. Other major Languages are Khasi and Garo.
- State Animal is Clouded Leopard and State Bird is Common Hill Myna.
- Major mountain ranges include Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
- Shillong Peak is the highest Point in Khasi Hills and Nokrek Peak is the highest Point in Garo Hills.
- Kapili is the main river flows through the state and is also the tributary of Brahmaputra river. Other rivers includes Khri, Digaru, Umiam, Kynshi, Mawpa, Umngot and Myntdu.
- Nokrek Lake is the only Lake in the State.
- There are only two National Parks in the State: Nokrek National Park and Balphakram National Park.
- State has only one Biosphere Reserve – Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
- There are no Tiger Reserve or World Heritage Sites in the State.
- Laho is the most Popular Folk Dance in the State.
- Major Festivals of the state are Khasis, Jaintias, Garos, Hajongs, Biates.
- The maximum temperature in this region rarely goes beyond 28 °C (82 °F), whereas sub-zero winter temperatures are common.
- The town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in the Khasi Hills south of capital Shillong holds the world record for most rain in a calendar month, while the village of Mawsynram, near Sohra (Cherrapunji), holds the record for the most rain in a year.
- Meghalaya has a rich base of natural resources. These include minerals such as coal, limestone, sillimanite, Kaolin and granite among others.
- The limestone caves in Meghalaya such as the Siju Cave are home to some of the nation’s rarest bat species. The hoolock gibbon is found in all districts of Meghalaya.