Meghalaya: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Meghalaya (1991 pop. 1,774,778) is one of the smaller states of 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 state is bounded on the north by the Brahmaputra River, and on the south by Bangladesh. The capital is Shillong.

Meghalaya was originally part of Assam, and became its own 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 1/3 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.

Culturally, much of the population consists of the Khasis (who call themselves Hynniewtreps or belonging to seven celestial families, in their local language), Jaintias, and Garos (who call themselves Achik in local language), which were among those known to the British as "hill tribes".

Although the state government has been promoting tourism, terrorist 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:

• East Garo Hills
• East Khasi Hills
• Jaintia Hills
• Ri Bhoi
• South Garo Hills
• West Garo Hills
• West Khasi Hills

Notable personalities:

• Adolf Lu Hitler Marak
• Dr. D.D. Lapang

Indian States and Territories
Andhra Pradesh | Arunachal Pradesh | Assam | Bihar | Chhattisgarh | Goa | Gujarat | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu and Kashmir | Jharkhand | Karnataka | Kerala | Madhya Pradesh | Maharashtra | Manipur | Meghalaya | Mizoram | Nagaland | Orissa | Punjab | Rajasthan | Sikkim | Tamil Nadu | Tripura | Uttaranchal | Uttar Pradesh | West Bengal
Union Territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Chandigarh | Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Daman and Diu | Lakshadweep | Pondicherry
National Capital Territory: Delhi