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West Bengal Map and Districts List State Information
Indian State and Union Territory
Indian State - West Bengal
History and Geography
Bengal finds a coveted place even in pre-historic times. At the time of Alexander's invasion a powerful kingdom called Gangaridai ruled over Bengal. Ascendancy of the Guptas and the Mauryas had somewhat little effect on Bengal. Later Sasanka became King of Bengal and is said to have played an important role in North-Eastern India in the early half of the seventh century. He was succeeded by Gopala, who founded the Pala dynasty, which ruled for centuries and had created a huge empire. The Palas were followed by the Sena dynasty which was ended by Muslim rulers from Delhi. Bengal was ruled by various Muslim rulers and governors till the Mughal period in sixteenth century.
After the Mughals, history of modern Bengal begins with the advent of European and English trading companies. Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the course of history when the English first gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India. In 1905 it was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people's growing movement under the auspices of Congress led to the reunion in 1911. This triggered off hectic movement for freedom which culminated with Independence in 1947, and partition.
After 1947, the merger of native princely states began which ended with its final reorganisation in 1956 (as per Recommendations of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956) when some Bengali speaking areas of a neighbouring State were transferred to West Bengal.
The land frontiers of the State touch Bangladesh in the east and are separated from Nepal in the west, Bhutan lies in the north-east, while Sikkim is on the north. On the west are the States of Bihar and Jharkhand, while on the South lies Orissa.
Agriculture
Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the State's economy and nearly three out of every four persons is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. The total food production in the State in 2007-08, was 16060.0 thousand tonnes. During 2007-08, the production of rice was 14719.2 thousand tonnes, of wheat 917.3 thousand tonnes and of pulses 158.0 thousand tonnes respectively. The production of oilseeds during the same period was 705.7 thousand tonnes and of potato 9900.89 thousand tonnes. The production of jute was 8216.0 thousand bales in 2007-08
Industry
In 2008, 187 projects with a total investment of Rs.4060.78 crore were implemented in the State. The index of industrial production (Base 1993-94 =100) of West Bengal has been consistently rising from 132.8 in 2001-02 to 200.8 in 2007-08. Despite economic recession, industrial production index in West Bengal grew by 4.0 per cent in 2007-08 over previous year. Within the industrial sector the rates of growth of manufacturing sector it may be noted, have been quite impressive over the years. The contribution of manufacturing sector was 7.9 per cent in 2007-08.
The salient features of the State policy on industrial promotion and economic development are to welcome foreign technology and investment, private sector investment in power generation, improvement and upgradation of industrial infrastructure. The thrust areas are petrochemicals and downstream industries, electronics and information technology, iron and steel, metallurgical and engineering, textile, leather and leather products, food processing, medicinal plants, edible oil, vegetable processing and aquaculture.
In the recent years the flow of investment in the districts like Bankura, Midnapur, Burdwan and Purulia has been quite impressive. In 2007 highest amount of investment, Rs.1532.52 crore took place in chemical and petrochemical sector, followed by Rs.1359.62 crore in iron and steel sector, Rs.705.13 crore in food processing sector, Rs.471.26 crore in engineering industry, Rs.328.51 crore in software and other services sector.
The State Government has continued its effort for accelerating the process of industrialisation with the State implementing 42 numbers of industrial Entrepreneur Memorandums (IEMs) with an additional employment generation of 4535 persons in 2007, in the iron and steel sector.
Several companies like JSW Bengal, Bhusan Steel Limited, Jai Balaji, Videocon groups will set up integrated steel, cement and captive power plants in the State. Apart from JSW Bengal some of the important approvals received in the sponge iron and steel sector during the period include-5 million tonnes per annum (TPA) steel plant of Jai Balaji group involving investment of Rs.7737 crore at Purulia, 1.1 million TPA steel plant of Adhunik Corporation involving an investment of Rs.1850 crore at Raghunathpur in Purulia, 0.6 million TPA steel plant at Kharagpur in Midnapore and 1.1 million TPA steel plant of Shyam Group involving investment of 910 crore, 2 million TPA steel plant of Shyam Sel Limited involving investment of Rs.1028 crore.
Apart from the above mentioned power projects of steel companies, the State received an important IEM for setting up of 1200 MW power plant by Bharat Aluminium Company at Raniganj.
Although the State has no linkage for iron ore supplies, the companies have decided to set up steel plants in the State and source the raw materials from neighboring states like Jharkhand and Orissa. Apart from these, the State government has also been making efforts to locate Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) in the State, which has the potential to draw huge investments
Major investments are taking place in mine, steel plants, forging, pig iron etc. The easy availability of power, removal of freight equalisation, close proximity to areas with natural resources relevant to the industry, and a labour force, traditionally skilled in operating iron and steel units are factors that have influenced the surge in investment in this sector. In recent years, investment in the chemical and cement industry has also picked up.
After the commissioning of the Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL) in 2000, downstream units in the plastic and other related industries were set up in the State and they are mostly engaged in manufacturing plastic items like buckets, containers, moulded furniture, battery containers, nylon nets, house wares etc. During 2008 an amount of Rs.138 crore has been invested in 67 HPL downstream units. Thus direct employment of 43863 persons was created till 2006-07. Indirect employment of 80044 persons was created.
The State Government has introduced policy reforms in several areas in conjunction with practical measures to sustain investor confidence; the State Government has introduced policy reforms in several areas. It has promulgated in a quick succession its policies on the development of industries in Biotechnology, Mines and Minerals, Information Technology and IT enabled services sectors. These policy statements have clearly enunciated the State Government objectives and outlined map to achieve them. Through WBIIDC and WBIDC the State Government has set up the leather complex, foundry, rubber, chemical, plasto-steel, light engineering, polymer, garments and jute parks. Setting up of industrial parks in the Paschim Medinipore, Bankura, Malda, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri districts have been initiated.
The State Government is focused on developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It encourages hassle free manufacturing and trading for export promotion. Till March, 2008, 6 notified approvals have been issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Around 80 per cent investment takes place in IT/ITES sector and 2 per cent in biotech sector. In West Bengal, there are three 3 functional Special Economic Zones- Falta (multi products zone), Manikanchan (Salt lake-gems and jewellery) and WIPRO (Salt Lake-IT/ITEs).
The Calcutta Leather Complex at Bantala has already been declared as a Special Economic Zone. It is a perfect model of public private partnership, spread over around 1,100 acres of land and is steadily emerging as one of the largest projects of its kind in the world.
The Food Processing Industries & Horticulture Department of the State Government promotes food-processing industries in the State. There is an increasing trend towards setting up of Food Processing Industries in West Bengal and in 2006-07, 67 projects with a total investment of Rs.336.18 crore were implemented in the food processing industries sector.
The State has identified the Information Technology (IT) sector as a priority sector for growth. The IT Hub at sector-V of Salt Lake is India's first fully integrated electronic complex spread over 150 acres of green pollution free area near airport. An estimated 15,000 new jobs were created in 2007-08. The gross value of export under software Technology Park in Kolkata has already touched Rs.4000 crore during 2007-08 as against Rs.2167 crore in 2005-06 and Rs.3169 crore in 2006-07.
Irrigation and Power
There are 7 major irrigation projects and 34 medium irrigation schemes being managed by the irrigation and Waterways Department of the State Government. Teesta Barrage Project and Subarnarekha Barrage Projects are the two major in-going schemes. A cumulative potential to the tune of 145020 hectares has been created from the Teesta Barrage Project upto 2007-08 against the ultimate potential of 527000 hectares. The Subarnarekha Barrage Project envisages the utilization of the share of water resources available from the river Subarnarekha as per the Tripartite Agreement with the Government of Bihar (presently Government of Jharkhand) and Orissa to irrigate an area of 99248 hectares in Kharif and 30766 hectares in Rabi in the districts of Paschim and Purba Medinipur of the State.
The State Government took up several Medium Irrigation Schemes in the districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan and Purulia. Out of the 32 schemes in Purulia, 25 schemes have been completed and 7 schemes are continuing, of which 2 schemes namely Patloi and Tatko Irrigation Schemes are included under modified programme of AIBP. The ultimate irrigation potential achieved through the completed medium irrigation schemes is 43,002 thousand hectares, whereas the ultimate irrigative potential of the on-going schemes is 8.21 thousand hectares.
The ultimate minor irrigation potential in the State has been estimated as 44.34 lakh hectares, out of which 31.34 lakh hectares are from ground water resources and 13.00 lakh hectares are from surface water resources. At the end of the Annual Plan of 2008-09, creation of irrigation potentials in the Minor Irrigation sector has been estimated to reach 40.20 lakh hectares, of which 27.47 lakh hectares through ground water resources and 12.73 lakh hectares through Surface Water Resources.
The electricity generating utilities in West Bengal in the State Sector are West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDECL), Durgapur Projects Limited (DPL) for thermal power generation, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, and Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) for non-conventional energy generation. Besides, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NPTC) in the Central Sector, CESC Limited and Disergarh Power Supply Corporation in the Private sector are the other power generating utilities in the State. Total generation of power produced by the state agencies was 16270.1 MU in 2008-09 (from April to October). The total number of Mouzas Electrified upto October 2008 is 37416 and in 2008-09 (upto October 2008) the total number of pump sets energized is 1,15,357.
Transport
Roads: : The length of roads as on 31 March 2002 was 91970 km including 1898 km national highways. The length of roads under State highway is 3533 km, under PWD 12565 km and that of the district roads are 42,479 km respectively.
Railways: The total length of railway route in the State in 2007-08 was 4561.93 km. Howrah, Asansol, Sealdah, Bandel, Bardhaman, Kharagpur and New Jalpaiguri are the main junctions.
Festivals
Durga Puja, West Bengal
Durga Puja is the most important festival along with Kali Puja or Diwali besides Vasant Panchami, Lakshmi Puja, Holi, Sivaratri, Janmasthami, Id-ul-Fitr, etc.
West Bengal Map
West Bengal Districts List
Indian State - West Bengal
History and Geography
Bengal finds a coveted place even in pre-historic times. At the time of Alexander's invasion a powerful kingdom called Gangaridai ruled over Bengal. Ascendancy of the Guptas and the Mauryas had somewhat little effect on Bengal. Later Sasanka became King of Bengal and is said to have played an important role in North-Eastern India in the early half of the seventh century. He was succeeded by Gopala, who founded the Pala dynasty, which ruled for centuries and had created a huge empire. The Palas were followed by the Sena dynasty which was ended by Muslim rulers from Delhi. Bengal was ruled by various Muslim rulers and governors till the Mughal period in sixteenth century.
After the Mughals, history of modern Bengal begins with the advent of European and English trading companies. Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the course of history when the English first gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India. In 1905 it was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people's growing movement under the auspices of Congress led to the reunion in 1911. This triggered off hectic movement for freedom which culminated with Independence in 1947, and partition.
After 1947, the merger of native princely states began which ended with its final reorganisation in 1956 (as per Recommendations of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956) when some Bengali speaking areas of a neighbouring State were transferred to West Bengal.
The land frontiers of the State touch Bangladesh in the east and are separated from Nepal in the west, Bhutan lies in the north-east, while Sikkim is on the north. On the west are the States of Bihar and Jharkhand, while on the South lies Orissa.
Agriculture
Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the State's economy and nearly three out of every four persons is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. The total food production in the State in 2007-08, was 16060.0 thousand tonnes. During 2007-08, the production of rice was 14719.2 thousand tonnes, of wheat 917.3 thousand tonnes and of pulses 158.0 thousand tonnes respectively. The production of oilseeds during the same period was 705.7 thousand tonnes and of potato 9900.89 thousand tonnes. The production of jute was 8216.0 thousand bales in 2007-08
Industry
In 2008, 187 projects with a total investment of Rs.4060.78 crore were implemented in the State. The index of industrial production (Base 1993-94 =100) of West Bengal has been consistently rising from 132.8 in 2001-02 to 200.8 in 2007-08. Despite economic recession, industrial production index in West Bengal grew by 4.0 per cent in 2007-08 over previous year. Within the industrial sector the rates of growth of manufacturing sector it may be noted, have been quite impressive over the years. The contribution of manufacturing sector was 7.9 per cent in 2007-08.
The salient features of the State policy on industrial promotion and economic development are to welcome foreign technology and investment, private sector investment in power generation, improvement and upgradation of industrial infrastructure. The thrust areas are petrochemicals and downstream industries, electronics and information technology, iron and steel, metallurgical and engineering, textile, leather and leather products, food processing, medicinal plants, edible oil, vegetable processing and aquaculture.
In the recent years the flow of investment in the districts like Bankura, Midnapur, Burdwan and Purulia has been quite impressive. In 2007 highest amount of investment, Rs.1532.52 crore took place in chemical and petrochemical sector, followed by Rs.1359.62 crore in iron and steel sector, Rs.705.13 crore in food processing sector, Rs.471.26 crore in engineering industry, Rs.328.51 crore in software and other services sector.
The State Government has continued its effort for accelerating the process of industrialisation with the State implementing 42 numbers of industrial Entrepreneur Memorandums (IEMs) with an additional employment generation of 4535 persons in 2007, in the iron and steel sector.
Several companies like JSW Bengal, Bhusan Steel Limited, Jai Balaji, Videocon groups will set up integrated steel, cement and captive power plants in the State. Apart from JSW Bengal some of the important approvals received in the sponge iron and steel sector during the period include-5 million tonnes per annum (TPA) steel plant of Jai Balaji group involving investment of Rs.7737 crore at Purulia, 1.1 million TPA steel plant of Adhunik Corporation involving an investment of Rs.1850 crore at Raghunathpur in Purulia, 0.6 million TPA steel plant at Kharagpur in Midnapore and 1.1 million TPA steel plant of Shyam Group involving investment of 910 crore, 2 million TPA steel plant of Shyam Sel Limited involving investment of Rs.1028 crore.
Apart from the above mentioned power projects of steel companies, the State received an important IEM for setting up of 1200 MW power plant by Bharat Aluminium Company at Raniganj.
Although the State has no linkage for iron ore supplies, the companies have decided to set up steel plants in the State and source the raw materials from neighboring states like Jharkhand and Orissa. Apart from these, the State government has also been making efforts to locate Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) in the State, which has the potential to draw huge investments
Major investments are taking place in mine, steel plants, forging, pig iron etc. The easy availability of power, removal of freight equalisation, close proximity to areas with natural resources relevant to the industry, and a labour force, traditionally skilled in operating iron and steel units are factors that have influenced the surge in investment in this sector. In recent years, investment in the chemical and cement industry has also picked up.
After the commissioning of the Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL) in 2000, downstream units in the plastic and other related industries were set up in the State and they are mostly engaged in manufacturing plastic items like buckets, containers, moulded furniture, battery containers, nylon nets, house wares etc. During 2008 an amount of Rs.138 crore has been invested in 67 HPL downstream units. Thus direct employment of 43863 persons was created till 2006-07. Indirect employment of 80044 persons was created.
The State Government has introduced policy reforms in several areas in conjunction with practical measures to sustain investor confidence; the State Government has introduced policy reforms in several areas. It has promulgated in a quick succession its policies on the development of industries in Biotechnology, Mines and Minerals, Information Technology and IT enabled services sectors. These policy statements have clearly enunciated the State Government objectives and outlined map to achieve them. Through WBIIDC and WBIDC the State Government has set up the leather complex, foundry, rubber, chemical, plasto-steel, light engineering, polymer, garments and jute parks. Setting up of industrial parks in the Paschim Medinipore, Bankura, Malda, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri districts have been initiated.
The State Government is focused on developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It encourages hassle free manufacturing and trading for export promotion. Till March, 2008, 6 notified approvals have been issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Around 80 per cent investment takes place in IT/ITES sector and 2 per cent in biotech sector. In West Bengal, there are three 3 functional Special Economic Zones- Falta (multi products zone), Manikanchan (Salt lake-gems and jewellery) and WIPRO (Salt Lake-IT/ITEs).
The Calcutta Leather Complex at Bantala has already been declared as a Special Economic Zone. It is a perfect model of public private partnership, spread over around 1,100 acres of land and is steadily emerging as one of the largest projects of its kind in the world.
The Food Processing Industries & Horticulture Department of the State Government promotes food-processing industries in the State. There is an increasing trend towards setting up of Food Processing Industries in West Bengal and in 2006-07, 67 projects with a total investment of Rs.336.18 crore were implemented in the food processing industries sector.
The State has identified the Information Technology (IT) sector as a priority sector for growth. The IT Hub at sector-V of Salt Lake is India's first fully integrated electronic complex spread over 150 acres of green pollution free area near airport. An estimated 15,000 new jobs were created in 2007-08. The gross value of export under software Technology Park in Kolkata has already touched Rs.4000 crore during 2007-08 as against Rs.2167 crore in 2005-06 and Rs.3169 crore in 2006-07.
Irrigation and Power
There are 7 major irrigation projects and 34 medium irrigation schemes being managed by the irrigation and Waterways Department of the State Government. Teesta Barrage Project and Subarnarekha Barrage Projects are the two major in-going schemes. A cumulative potential to the tune of 145020 hectares has been created from the Teesta Barrage Project upto 2007-08 against the ultimate potential of 527000 hectares. The Subarnarekha Barrage Project envisages the utilization of the share of water resources available from the river Subarnarekha as per the Tripartite Agreement with the Government of Bihar (presently Government of Jharkhand) and Orissa to irrigate an area of 99248 hectares in Kharif and 30766 hectares in Rabi in the districts of Paschim and Purba Medinipur of the State.
The State Government took up several Medium Irrigation Schemes in the districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan and Purulia. Out of the 32 schemes in Purulia, 25 schemes have been completed and 7 schemes are continuing, of which 2 schemes namely Patloi and Tatko Irrigation Schemes are included under modified programme of AIBP. The ultimate irrigation potential achieved through the completed medium irrigation schemes is 43,002 thousand hectares, whereas the ultimate irrigative potential of the on-going schemes is 8.21 thousand hectares.
The ultimate minor irrigation potential in the State has been estimated as 44.34 lakh hectares, out of which 31.34 lakh hectares are from ground water resources and 13.00 lakh hectares are from surface water resources. At the end of the Annual Plan of 2008-09, creation of irrigation potentials in the Minor Irrigation sector has been estimated to reach 40.20 lakh hectares, of which 27.47 lakh hectares through ground water resources and 12.73 lakh hectares through Surface Water Resources.
The electricity generating utilities in West Bengal in the State Sector are West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDECL), Durgapur Projects Limited (DPL) for thermal power generation, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, and Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) for non-conventional energy generation. Besides, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NPTC) in the Central Sector, CESC Limited and Disergarh Power Supply Corporation in the Private sector are the other power generating utilities in the State. Total generation of power produced by the state agencies was 16270.1 MU in 2008-09 (from April to October). The total number of Mouzas Electrified upto October 2008 is 37416 and in 2008-09 (upto October 2008) the total number of pump sets energized is 1,15,357.
Transport
Roads: : The length of roads as on 31 March 2002 was 91970 km including 1898 km national highways. The length of roads under State highway is 3533 km, under PWD 12565 km and that of the district roads are 42,479 km respectively.
Railways: The total length of railway route in the State in 2007-08 was 4561.93 km. Howrah, Asansol, Sealdah, Bandel, Bardhaman, Kharagpur and New Jalpaiguri are the main junctions.
Festivals
Durga Puja, West Bengal
Durga Puja is the most important festival along with Kali Puja or Diwali besides Vasant Panchami, Lakshmi Puja, Holi, Sivaratri, Janmasthami, Id-ul-Fitr, etc.
West Bengal Map
West Bengal Districts List
| S.No | Districts | Area in Sq Km | Population | Headquarters |
| 1 | Bankura | 6,882 | 28,05,065 | Bankura |
| 2 | Bardhaman | 7,024 | 60,50,605 | Bardhaman |
| 3 | Birbhum | 4,545 | 25,55,664 | Suri |
| 4 | Kolkata | 18,733 | 43,99,819 | Kolkata |
| 5 | Darjeeling | 3,149 | 12,99,919 | Darjeeling |
| 6 | Howrah | 1,467 | 37,29,644 | Howrah |
| 7 | Hooghly | 3,149 | 43,55,230 | Chinsurah |
| 8 | Jalpaiguri | 6,227 | 28,00,543 | Jalpaiguri |
| 9 | Coochbehar | 3,387 | 21,71,145 | Coochbehar |
| 10 | Malda | 3,733 | 26,37,032 | English Bazar |
| 11 | North Medinipur | 14,081 | 83,31,912 | Medinipur |
| 12 | Murshidabad | 5,324 | 47,40,149 | Berhampore |
| 13 | Nadia | 3,927 | 38,52,097 | Krishnagar |
| 14 | North 24 Parganas | 14,052 | 72,81,881 | Alipore |
| 15 | South 24 Parganas | 6,259 | 57,15,030 | Barasat |
| 16 | Purulia | - | 22,24,577 | Purulia |
| 17 | North Dinajpur | 3,180 | 19,26,729 | Raigunj |
| 18 | South Dinajpur | 2,183 | 12,00,924 | Balurghat |
| 19 | South Medinipur | 3,215 | - | Medinipur |
Uttarakhand Map and Districts List State Information
Indian State and Union Territory
Indian State - Uttarakhand
History and Geography
Uttarakhand finds mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavant. The Kushanas, Kunindas, Kanishka, Samudra Gupta, the Pauravas, Katuris, Palas, the Chandras and Panwars and the British have ruled it in turns. It is often called the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and abundant shrines. The hilly regions of Uttarakhand offer pristine landscapes to the tourists.
The State of Uttarakhand was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh, which came into existence in 1902. In 1935, the name of State was shortened to the United Province. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 09 November 2000. It is incepted as the 27th State of India.
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the State has international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. On its North-West lies Himachal Pradesh, while on the south is Uttar Pradesh.
Agriculture
About 90 per cent of the population of Uttarakhand depends on agriculture. The total cultivated area in the State is 7, 67, 571 hectares.
Industry and Minerals
The State is rich in mineral deposits like limestone, marble, rock phosphate, dolomite, magnesite, copper graphite, gypsum, etc. The number of small-scale industries is 34,231 providing employment to 1,77,677 persons, with an investment of Rs.14,965,67 crore
Irrigation and Energy
Agricultural land under irrigation is 5, 49, 381 hectares. The State has excellent potential for hydropower generation. There are a number of hydro-electric projects on the rivers Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Bhilangana, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Saryu Gauri, Kosi and Kali generating electricity. Total hydropower potential approximately 25,450 MW. Projects allotted to various agencies 13,667 MW. Out of 15,761 villages, 15,241 villages have been electrified.
Transport
Roads: The total length of metalled roads in Uttarakhand is 29,939 km. The length of PWD roads is 22,623 km. The length of roads built by local bodies is 15,041 km.
Railways: The main railway stations are Dehradun, Hardwar, Roorkee, Kotdwar, Kashipur, Udhamsingh Nagar, Haldwani, Ramnagar and Kathgodam.
Aviation: There are air strips at Jolly Grant (Dehradun), and Pantnagar (Udham Singh Nagar). Air strips at Naini-Seni (Pithoragarh), Gauchar (Chamoli) and Chinyalisaur (Uttarkashi) are under construction. From this year Pawan Hans Ltd., has started helicopter service from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath for pilgrims.
Festivals
The world-famous Kumbh Mela/Ardh Kumbh Mela is held at Hardwar at every twelfth/sixth year interval. Other prominent fairs/festivals are : Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Purnagiri Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarkashi), Magha Mela (Uttarkashi), Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar), Vishu Mela (Jaunsar Bhabar), Peerane-Kaliyar (Roorkee), and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra held every twelfth year.
Tourist Centres
Kedarnath Temple
Nainital
Prominent places of pilgrimage/tourist interests are Gangotri, Yamunotri. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, Nanakmatta, etc. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra can be performed through Kumaon region. The world-famous Valley of Flowers, Pindari Glacier, Roop Kund, Dayara Bugyal, Auli, and hill stations like Mussoorie, Dehradun, Chakrata, Nainital, Ranikhet, Bageshwar, Bhimtal, Kausani, and Lansdowne etc. are the other tourist destinations.
Uttarakhand Map
Uttarakhand Districts List
Indian State - Uttarakhand
History and Geography
Uttarakhand finds mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavant. The Kushanas, Kunindas, Kanishka, Samudra Gupta, the Pauravas, Katuris, Palas, the Chandras and Panwars and the British have ruled it in turns. It is often called the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and abundant shrines. The hilly regions of Uttarakhand offer pristine landscapes to the tourists.
The State of Uttarakhand was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh, which came into existence in 1902. In 1935, the name of State was shortened to the United Province. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh before it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 09 November 2000. It is incepted as the 27th State of India.
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the State has international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. On its North-West lies Himachal Pradesh, while on the south is Uttar Pradesh.
Agriculture
About 90 per cent of the population of Uttarakhand depends on agriculture. The total cultivated area in the State is 7, 67, 571 hectares.
Industry and Minerals
The State is rich in mineral deposits like limestone, marble, rock phosphate, dolomite, magnesite, copper graphite, gypsum, etc. The number of small-scale industries is 34,231 providing employment to 1,77,677 persons, with an investment of Rs.14,965,67 crore
Irrigation and Energy
Agricultural land under irrigation is 5, 49, 381 hectares. The State has excellent potential for hydropower generation. There are a number of hydro-electric projects on the rivers Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Bhilangana, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Saryu Gauri, Kosi and Kali generating electricity. Total hydropower potential approximately 25,450 MW. Projects allotted to various agencies 13,667 MW. Out of 15,761 villages, 15,241 villages have been electrified.
Transport
Roads: The total length of metalled roads in Uttarakhand is 29,939 km. The length of PWD roads is 22,623 km. The length of roads built by local bodies is 15,041 km.
Railways: The main railway stations are Dehradun, Hardwar, Roorkee, Kotdwar, Kashipur, Udhamsingh Nagar, Haldwani, Ramnagar and Kathgodam.
Aviation: There are air strips at Jolly Grant (Dehradun), and Pantnagar (Udham Singh Nagar). Air strips at Naini-Seni (Pithoragarh), Gauchar (Chamoli) and Chinyalisaur (Uttarkashi) are under construction. From this year Pawan Hans Ltd., has started helicopter service from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath for pilgrims.
Festivals
The world-famous Kumbh Mela/Ardh Kumbh Mela is held at Hardwar at every twelfth/sixth year interval. Other prominent fairs/festivals are : Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Purnagiri Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarkashi), Magha Mela (Uttarkashi), Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar), Vishu Mela (Jaunsar Bhabar), Peerane-Kaliyar (Roorkee), and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra held every twelfth year.
Tourist Centres
Kedarnath Temple
Nainital
Prominent places of pilgrimage/tourist interests are Gangotri, Yamunotri. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, Nanakmatta, etc. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra can be performed through Kumaon region. The world-famous Valley of Flowers, Pindari Glacier, Roop Kund, Dayara Bugyal, Auli, and hill stations like Mussoorie, Dehradun, Chakrata, Nainital, Ranikhet, Bageshwar, Bhimtal, Kausani, and Lansdowne etc. are the other tourist destinations.
Uttarakhand Map
Uttarakhand Districts List
| S.No | District | Area in 000'Sq Km | Population | Headquarters |
| 1 | Uttarkashi | 8,016 | 2,94,179 | Uttarkashi |
| 2 | Chamoli | 7,626 | 3,69,198 | Gopeshwar |
| 3 | Rudra Prayag | 2,252 | 2,27,461 | Rudra Prayag |
| 4 | Tehri Garhwal | 3,796 | 6,04,608 | New Tehri |
| 5 | Dehradun | 3,088 | 12,79,083 | Dehradun |
| 6 | Pauri Garhwal | 5,397 | 6,96,851 | Pauri |
| 7 | Pithoragarh | 7,218 | 4,62,149 | Pithoragarh |
| 8 | Champawat | 1,638 | 2,24,461 | Champawat |
| 9 | Almora | 3,074 | 6,30,446 | Almora |
| 10 | Bageshwar | 2,311 | 2,49,453 | Bageshwar |
| 11 | Nainital | 4,767 | 7,62,912 | Nainital |
| 12 | Udhamsingh Nagar | 2,027 | 12,34,548 | Udhamsingh Nagar |
| 13 | Hardwar | 1,994 | 14,44,213 | Hardwar |
Uttar Pradesh Map and Districts List State Information
Indian State and Union Territory
Indian State - Uttar Pradesh
History and Geography
The history of Uttar Pradesh is very ancient and interesting. It is recognised in the later Vedic Age as Brahmarshi Desha or Madhya Desha. Many great sages of the Vedic times like Bhardwaja, Gautam, Yagyavalkaya, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra and Valmiki flourished in this state. Several sacred books of the Aryans were also composed here. Two great epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata, appear to have been inspired by Uttar Pradesh.
In the sixth century B.C., Uttar Pradesh was associated with two new religions - Jainism and Buddhism. It was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first sermon and laid the foundations of his order, and it was in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, where Buddha breathed his last. Several centres in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya, Prayag, Varanasi and Mathura became reputed centres of learning. In the medieval period, Uttar Pradesh passed under Muslim rule and led the way to new synthesis of Hindu and Islamic cultures. Ramananda and his Muslim disciple Kabir, Tulsidas, Surdas and many other intellectuals contributed to the growth of Hindi and other languages.
Uttar Pradesh preserved its intellectual excellence even under the British administration. The British combined Agra and Oudh into one province and called it United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. The name was shortened to the United Provinces in 1935. In January 1950 the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.
The State is bound by Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in the north, Haryana in the west, Madhya Pradesh in the South and Bihar in the east. Uttar Pradesh can be divided into two distinct regions (i) Southern Hills and (ii) Gangetic Plain.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation of 66 per cent of the population of the State. The net cultivated area in the state is 167.50 lakh hectares. In the year 2006-07 the State produced 260.27 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 109.12 lakh metric tonnes of rice, 18.14 lakh metric tonnes of pulses and 7.54 lakh metric tonnes of oilseeds and 1309.22 lakh tonnes sugar cane. Total food grains production during 2006-2007 was 418.65 lakh metric tonnes.
Industry and Minerals
During the year 2006-07 there were 6, 12, 338 small-scale industrial units involving a total investment of Rs.7172 crore and employment opportunities for 2396 thousand persons. About 73.20 lakh tonnes of sugar was produced in the State during the year 2007-08. There were 68 textile units. Thirty-two automobile units with an investment of Rs.5,740 crore provided jobs to 20280 persons.
It is planned to develop 102 sectors of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) by the year 2011. The Authority includes industrial sectors, housing sectors, group housing sectors, residential buildings, commercial assets and institutional sectors. Steps have been taken to develop other industrial areas in the state on the pattern of Noida and Greater Noida. A Software Technology Park has been set up in Kanpur while five more Software Parks are proposed to be set up.
Under the public sector, mining of limestone, magnetite, coal, rock phosphate, dolomite and silicon-sand is carried out. The bulk production of minor and some of the major minerals like limestone, silica-sand, magnetite, pyrophyllite and diaspore is mostly with the private sector. Important mineral based industries include large cement plants in Sonebhadra.
Irrigation and Power
UP Power Corporation, UP State Power Generation and UP Hydel Power Corporation had been formed by reorganising UP State Electricity Board on 14 January 2000.
During 2001-02 the total installation capacity was 4659 MW, in 2003-04 it was 4621 MW which has now been raised upto 4706 MW. During the year 2001-02 the total power production was 226330 lakh KW and in the year 2003-04 it was 228355.
Power is an important input to accelerate the process of economic growth. The installed capacity of re-organized Uttar Pradesh during Tenth Five Year Plan was 7821.82 MW. Only 56.6 per cent of 97135 villages were electrified and 7.88 lakh private tubewells were energised. At the time of inception the total installed capacity of UPSEB, including thermal and hydro, was 2,635 MW which has now been raised to 5414 MW (derated 5,885.75 MW).
An expenditure of Rs.2,094.5256 crore was made to raise the irrigation potential to a level of 267.99 lakh hectares. The irrigation potential created in U.P. was 319.12 lakh hectares till the end of 2004-05. Out of this only 231.61 lakh hectares could be utilised. Additional irrigation potential of 5.14 lakh hectares is expected to be created in the year 2005-06 and the target for 2006-07 is 7.41 lakh hectares.
Transport
Roads: The total road length of PWD in the State is 131969 km. This includes 3794 km of national highways, 8449 km of state highways, 119726 of other district roads and 72,931 km of rural roads.
Railways: Lucknow is the main junction of the northern network. Other important railway junctions are Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Mughalsarai, Jhansi, Moradabad, Varanasi, Tundla, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Faizabad, Bareilly and Sitapur.
Aviation: There are airports at Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Agra, Jhansi, Bareilly, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Gorakhpur, Sarsawa (Saharanpur) and Fursatganj (Rae-Barelli).
Festivals
Kumbh Mela, Allahabad
The biggest congregation, perhaps of the world, Kumbha Mela is held at Allahabad every twelfth year and Ardh kumbh Mela every sixth year. Magh Mela is also held at Allahabad in January when the people come in large number to have a dip in the holy Sangam.
Among other fairs is the fortnight long Jhoola fair of Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya, when dolls are placed in gold and silver jhoolas or cradles. A dip in the Ganga on Kartik Poornamasi is supposed to be the holiest and there are big congregations at Garhmukteshwar, Soran, Rajghat, Kakora, Bithur, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Ayodhya. A famous cattle fair is held at Bateswar in Agra district.
Dewa in Barabanki district has became famous because of the Muslim saint Waris Ali Shah. Besides, important festivals of the Hindus, Muslims, etc., are widely celebrated in the State.
Tourist Centres
Taj Mahal, Agra
Uttar Pradesh has varied attractions for all kinds of tourists. Besides ancient places of pilgrimage like Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Prayag, Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dewa Sharief, Dargah of Sheikh Saleem Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Sankisa, Kampil, Piprahwa and Kaushambi, places like Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath, Varanasi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Mahoba, Devgarh, Bithur, and Vindhyachal have rich treasures of Hindu and Islamic architecture and culture.
Uttar Pradesh Map
Uttar Pradesh Districts List
Indian State - Uttar Pradesh
History and Geography
The history of Uttar Pradesh is very ancient and interesting. It is recognised in the later Vedic Age as Brahmarshi Desha or Madhya Desha. Many great sages of the Vedic times like Bhardwaja, Gautam, Yagyavalkaya, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra and Valmiki flourished in this state. Several sacred books of the Aryans were also composed here. Two great epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata, appear to have been inspired by Uttar Pradesh.
In the sixth century B.C., Uttar Pradesh was associated with two new religions - Jainism and Buddhism. It was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first sermon and laid the foundations of his order, and it was in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, where Buddha breathed his last. Several centres in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya, Prayag, Varanasi and Mathura became reputed centres of learning. In the medieval period, Uttar Pradesh passed under Muslim rule and led the way to new synthesis of Hindu and Islamic cultures. Ramananda and his Muslim disciple Kabir, Tulsidas, Surdas and many other intellectuals contributed to the growth of Hindi and other languages.
Uttar Pradesh preserved its intellectual excellence even under the British administration. The British combined Agra and Oudh into one province and called it United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. The name was shortened to the United Provinces in 1935. In January 1950 the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.
The State is bound by Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in the north, Haryana in the west, Madhya Pradesh in the South and Bihar in the east. Uttar Pradesh can be divided into two distinct regions (i) Southern Hills and (ii) Gangetic Plain.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation of 66 per cent of the population of the State. The net cultivated area in the state is 167.50 lakh hectares. In the year 2006-07 the State produced 260.27 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 109.12 lakh metric tonnes of rice, 18.14 lakh metric tonnes of pulses and 7.54 lakh metric tonnes of oilseeds and 1309.22 lakh tonnes sugar cane. Total food grains production during 2006-2007 was 418.65 lakh metric tonnes.
Industry and Minerals
During the year 2006-07 there were 6, 12, 338 small-scale industrial units involving a total investment of Rs.7172 crore and employment opportunities for 2396 thousand persons. About 73.20 lakh tonnes of sugar was produced in the State during the year 2007-08. There were 68 textile units. Thirty-two automobile units with an investment of Rs.5,740 crore provided jobs to 20280 persons.
It is planned to develop 102 sectors of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) by the year 2011. The Authority includes industrial sectors, housing sectors, group housing sectors, residential buildings, commercial assets and institutional sectors. Steps have been taken to develop other industrial areas in the state on the pattern of Noida and Greater Noida. A Software Technology Park has been set up in Kanpur while five more Software Parks are proposed to be set up.
Under the public sector, mining of limestone, magnetite, coal, rock phosphate, dolomite and silicon-sand is carried out. The bulk production of minor and some of the major minerals like limestone, silica-sand, magnetite, pyrophyllite and diaspore is mostly with the private sector. Important mineral based industries include large cement plants in Sonebhadra.
Irrigation and Power
UP Power Corporation, UP State Power Generation and UP Hydel Power Corporation had been formed by reorganising UP State Electricity Board on 14 January 2000.
During 2001-02 the total installation capacity was 4659 MW, in 2003-04 it was 4621 MW which has now been raised upto 4706 MW. During the year 2001-02 the total power production was 226330 lakh KW and in the year 2003-04 it was 228355.
Power is an important input to accelerate the process of economic growth. The installed capacity of re-organized Uttar Pradesh during Tenth Five Year Plan was 7821.82 MW. Only 56.6 per cent of 97135 villages were electrified and 7.88 lakh private tubewells were energised. At the time of inception the total installed capacity of UPSEB, including thermal and hydro, was 2,635 MW which has now been raised to 5414 MW (derated 5,885.75 MW).
An expenditure of Rs.2,094.5256 crore was made to raise the irrigation potential to a level of 267.99 lakh hectares. The irrigation potential created in U.P. was 319.12 lakh hectares till the end of 2004-05. Out of this only 231.61 lakh hectares could be utilised. Additional irrigation potential of 5.14 lakh hectares is expected to be created in the year 2005-06 and the target for 2006-07 is 7.41 lakh hectares.
Transport
Roads: The total road length of PWD in the State is 131969 km. This includes 3794 km of national highways, 8449 km of state highways, 119726 of other district roads and 72,931 km of rural roads.
Railways: Lucknow is the main junction of the northern network. Other important railway junctions are Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Mughalsarai, Jhansi, Moradabad, Varanasi, Tundla, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Faizabad, Bareilly and Sitapur.
Aviation: There are airports at Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Agra, Jhansi, Bareilly, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Gorakhpur, Sarsawa (Saharanpur) and Fursatganj (Rae-Barelli).
Festivals
Kumbh Mela, Allahabad
The biggest congregation, perhaps of the world, Kumbha Mela is held at Allahabad every twelfth year and Ardh kumbh Mela every sixth year. Magh Mela is also held at Allahabad in January when the people come in large number to have a dip in the holy Sangam.
Among other fairs is the fortnight long Jhoola fair of Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya, when dolls are placed in gold and silver jhoolas or cradles. A dip in the Ganga on Kartik Poornamasi is supposed to be the holiest and there are big congregations at Garhmukteshwar, Soran, Rajghat, Kakora, Bithur, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Ayodhya. A famous cattle fair is held at Bateswar in Agra district.
Dewa in Barabanki district has became famous because of the Muslim saint Waris Ali Shah. Besides, important festivals of the Hindus, Muslims, etc., are widely celebrated in the State.
Tourist Centres
Taj Mahal, Agra
Uttar Pradesh has varied attractions for all kinds of tourists. Besides ancient places of pilgrimage like Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Prayag, Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dewa Sharief, Dargah of Sheikh Saleem Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Sankisa, Kampil, Piprahwa and Kaushambi, places like Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath, Varanasi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Mahoba, Devgarh, Bithur, and Vindhyachal have rich treasures of Hindu and Islamic architecture and culture.
Uttar Pradesh Map
Uttar Pradesh Districts List
| S.No | Districts | Area in Sq Km | Population | Headquarters |
| 1 | Agra | 4,027 | 3,620,436 | Agra |
| 2 | Aligarh | 5,019 | 2,992,286 | Aligarh |
| 3 | Etah | 4,446 | 2,790,410 | Etah |
| 4 | Firozabad | 2,361 | 2,052,958 | Firozbad |
| 5 | Mainpuri | 2,760 | 1,596,718 | Mainpuri |
| 6 | Mathura | 3,811 | 2,074,516 | Mathura |
| 7 | Azamgarh | 4,234 | 3,939,916 | Azamgarh |
| 8 | Mau | 1,713 | 1,853,997 | Mau |
| 9 | Kaushambi | 2,015 | 1,293,154 | Kaushambi |
| 10 | Pratapgarh | 3,717 | 2,731,174 | Pratapgarh |
| 11 | Allahabad | 2,261 | 4,936,105 | Allahabad |
| 12 | Chitrakoot | 3,513 | 766,225 | Chitrakootdham |
| 13 | Hathras | 4,234 | 1,336,031 | Hathras |
| 14 | Ballia | 2,981 | 2,761,620 | Ballia |
| 15 | Fatehpur | 4,152 | 2,308,384 | Fatehpur |
| 16 | Budaum | 5,168 | 3,069,426 | Budaum |
| 17 | Bareilly | 4,120 | 3,618,589 | Bareilly |
| 18 | Pilibhit | 3,499 | 1,645,183 | Pilihit |
| 19 | Shajahanpur | 4,575 | 2,547,855 | Shajhahanpur |
| 20 | Faizabad | 4,511 | 2,547,855 | Faziabad |
| 21 | Ambedkarnagar | - | 2,026,876 | Akbarpur |
| 22 | Bahraich | 6,877 | 2,381,072 | Bahraich |
| 23 | Barabanki | 4,402 | 2,673,581 | Barabanki |
| 24 | Gonda | 7,352 | 2,765,586 | Gonda |
| 25 | Sultanpur | 4,436 | 3,214,832 | Sultanpur |
| 26 | Gorakhpur | 3,325 | 3,769,456 | Gorakhpur |
| 27 | Deoria | 2,613 | 2,712,650 | Deoria |
| 28 | Kushinagar | 2,832 | 2,893,196 | Padarauna |
| 29 | Maharajganj | 2,948 | 2,173,878 | Maharajganj |
| 30 | Banda | 7,624 | 1,537,334 | Banda |
| 31 | Hamirpur | 4,098 | 1,043,724 | Hamirpur |
| 32 | Jalaun | 4,565 | 1,454,452 | Orai |
| 33 | Lalitpur | 5,039 | 977,734 | Lalitpur |
| 34 | Mahoba | 3,068 | 708,447 | Mahoba |
| 35 | Jhansi | 5,024 | 1,744,931 | Jhansi |
| 36 | Kanpur (Urban) | 1,065 | 1,563,336 | Kanpur |
| 37 | Kanpur (Rural) | 5,111 | 4,167,999 | Akbarpur |
Tripura Map and Districts List State Information
Indian State and Union Territory
Indian State - Tripura
Tripura: At a Glance
Tripura is a state in North-East India which borders Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam. It is surrounded by Bangladesh on its north, south and west: the length of its international border is 856 km (84 per cent of its total border). It shares a 53 km long border with Assam and a 109 km long border with Mizoram. The state is connected with the rest of India by only one road (NH-44) that runs through the hills to the border of Karimganj District in Assam and then winds through the states of Meghalaya, Assam and North Bengal to Calcutta.
At the time of Tripura's merger with effect from October 15 1949 with the Indian Union, the major mode of farming was shifting cultivation or 'jhum', which produced little surplus. A small proportion of the plain lands of the State were under settled agriculture undertaken by Bengalis, and the main crop was rice. Most of the plain lands of the State were not under cultivation and were covered with cane-brakes and marshes. Thus at the time of formation of the State, the economy was predominantly agricultural and forest-based, with no industrial base, a low level of urbanization and limited infrastructure.
Tripura Map
Tripura Districts List
Indian State - Tripura
Tripura: At a Glance
Tripura is a state in North-East India which borders Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam. It is surrounded by Bangladesh on its north, south and west: the length of its international border is 856 km (84 per cent of its total border). It shares a 53 km long border with Assam and a 109 km long border with Mizoram. The state is connected with the rest of India by only one road (NH-44) that runs through the hills to the border of Karimganj District in Assam and then winds through the states of Meghalaya, Assam and North Bengal to Calcutta.
At the time of Tripura's merger with effect from October 15 1949 with the Indian Union, the major mode of farming was shifting cultivation or 'jhum', which produced little surplus. A small proportion of the plain lands of the State were under settled agriculture undertaken by Bengalis, and the main crop was rice. Most of the plain lands of the State were not under cultivation and were covered with cane-brakes and marshes. Thus at the time of formation of the State, the economy was predominantly agricultural and forest-based, with no industrial base, a low level of urbanization and limited infrastructure.
Tripura Map
Tripura Districts List
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Tamil Nadu Map and Districts List State Information
Indian State and Union Territory
Indian State - Tamil Nadu
History and Geography
Tamil Nadu has a hoary antiquity. Though early sangam classics throw historical references, it is only from the Pallavas we pass to recorded history.
South India had remained under the hegemony of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas for centuries. The Pallavas held supremacy from about the second quarter of the fourth century AD. They were the originators of the famous Dravidian style of temple architecture. The last Pallava ruler was Aparajita in whose reign the later Cholas under Vijayalaya and Aditya asserted themselves by about the 10th century. At the end of the 11th century, Tamil Nadu was ruled by several dynasties like the Chalukyas, Cholas and Pandyas. In the two centuries that followed, the imperial Cholas gained paramountcy over South India.
Muslims gradually strengthened their position, which led to the establishment of the Bahamani Sultanate, by the middle of the 14th century. At the same time, the Vijayanagar Kingdom quickly consolidated itself and extended its sway over the whole of South India and at the close of the century and became the supreme power in South. However, it crumbled at the battle of Talikota in 1564 to the confederate forces of the Deccan Sultans.
Even during the period of the tumultuous confusion that followed the battle of Talikota, European commercial interest had appeared as rivals in the area of South India. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English came in quick succession and established trading centres known as 'Factories'. East India Company which had established their factory at Masulipatnam, now in Andhra Pradesh, in 1611 gradually annexed territories by encouraging enmity among the native rulers. Tamil Nadu was one of the first of British settlements in India. The State is the successor to the old Madras Presidency which in 1901 covered the bulk of the southern peninsula. The composite Madras State was later reorganised and the present Tamil Nadu was formed.
Tamil Nadu is bounded on north by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on west by Kerala, on east by the Bay of Bengal and on South by the Indian Ocean
Agriculture
Agriculture is the major occupation in Tamil Nadu. The total cultivated area in the State was 58.15 lakh hectares in 2007-08. The principal food crops include paddy, millets and pulses. Commercial crops include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and groundnut. Plantation crops are tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber. Major forest produces are timber, sandalwood, pulp wood and fuel wood. Tamil Nadu occupies a premier position in the production and extensive application of bio-fertilizers. Efforts are on to improve farming technologies so as to increase yields in the low rainfall areas of the State. Annual food grains production in the year 2007-08 was 65.81 lakh Mt.
Industry and Minerals
Scles, auto components, railway coaches, power pumps, leather tanning industries, cement, sugar, paper, automobiles and safety matches.
Knowledge-based industries like I.T. and Biotechnology have become the thrust area in the industrial scene in Tamil Nadu. TIDEL, a software technology park, has been established in Tharamani, Chennai. The Software export from the State which was Rs.20,700 crore in 2006-07 is expected to cross Rs.25,000 crore in 2007-08. Top I.T. and Telecom companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Foxcon, Flextronic and Dell have commenced production.
Global auto majors Hyundai Motors, Ford, Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi have commenced production plants. Ashok Leyland and TAFE have set up expansion plants in Chennai.
Main mineral wealth of the state is granite, lignite and limestone. The State is an important exporter of tanned skin and leather goods, yarn, tea, coffee, spices, engineering goods, tobacco, handicrafts and black granite. Tamil Nadu contributes to 60 per cent of the tannery industry in India.
Irrigation
The State has rolled out important irrigation schemes. Modernisation of existing Periyar Vaigai System, Palar Basin System and Parambikulam-Aliyar System, besides the minor system in Vellar, Pennayar, Araniyar Amaravathi, Chithar basins totalling, an extent of six lakh acres of existing ayacut in Tamil Nadu, have been benefited by implementing the 'System Improvement and Farmers Turnover Projects' executed with assistance from World Bank. The World Bank has also approved Rs.2,547 crore for the Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration Management Project. The Project covers about 6,17lakh ha. in 63 selected sub-basins throughout the State. Nine irrigation projects, which were just started and going on a slow progress, have been speeded up with adequate fund and guidance for early completion. The major irrigation system covering one-third of irrigated extent in Tamil Nadu, namely tank irrigation system has been given due regard for development under WRCP and 620 tanks maintained by Public Works Department falling under Palar, Vaigai and Tamaraparani Basins have been taken up for rehabilitation and improvement. This project is nearing completion to the maximum satisfaction of the farmers. This State has become the pioneer State to implement the system of 'River basin management' by an individual body consisting of officials and farmers, besides various representatives of the basin.
Power
The total installed capacity for electricity in the State is 10,214 MW as on 31.03.2009. The installed capacity of State Sector is 5,690 MW and that of Private Sector is 1,180 MW. Apart from this 2825 MW is available as share from Central Sector, 305 MW is obtained from external assistance and 214 MW from Captive Power Plants. Apart from this wind mills from the private sector provide 4270 MW and 466.10 MW is received from co-generation plants and 109.55 MW from Bio-mass plants.
As on 31.03.2009, there are 1259 sub stations, 1.64 lakh Ckt. kms of Extra High Tension/High Tension lines, 5.26 lakh kms of low tension lines, 1.86 distribution transformers and 203.87 lakh service connections.
Transport
Roads: The length of roads network in Tamil Nadu is 61,641 km.
Railways: The total length of railways is 3,927 km and the main junctions stations are Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem, Erode and Arakkonam.
Aviation: Chennai, being the international airport in the southern region, is the main centre of airline routes. Besides, there are airports at Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Salem.
Ports: Major ports in the State are Chennai, Egmore and Tuticorin. There are seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.
Festivals
Bharatnatyam Dance
Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the farmers in January to worship the sun, the earth and the cattle as thanks giving for a bounteous harvest. Pongal festival is followed by the Jallikattu-Bull fight, in some parts of southern Tamil Nadu. Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu is internationally famous for Jallikattu - Bull fight. Chithirai festival, Madurai brings a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. Adipperukku is a festival celebrated on the 18th day of Tamil month, Adi, on the banks of rivers. It marks the commencement of new farming operations. Dance Festival, Mamallapuram, which is set before an open air stage, created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Odissi are some dance forms presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances. At the Natyanjali Dance Festival, the temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic Dancer'.
Kanthuri festival: is a truly secular festival, where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader, and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood and later the holy sandal paste is distributed to everyone.
Velankanni festival: Wondrous legends surround the church, the most famous being that of the ship wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers - earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
Navarathiri festival: Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different forms in different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge. Music Festival: In December Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance to present a galaxy of star artistes, old and new.
Tourist Centres
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Some of the places of tourist interest are: Chennai, Mamallapuram, Poompuhar, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam, Dharasuram, Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai, Srirangam, Madurai, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur, Velankanni, Nagoor, Chithannavasal, Kazhugumalai (monument centres), Courtallam, Hogenakkal, Papanasam, Suruli (water-falls), Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Elagiri Kolli Hills (hill stations), Guindy (Chennai), Mudumalai, Annamalai, Mundanthurai, Kalakad (wild life sanctuaries), Vedanthangal and Point Calimere (bird sanctuaries), Arignar Anna Zoological Park, near Chennai.
Tamil Nadu Map
Tamil Nadu Districts List
Indian State - Tamil Nadu
History and Geography
Tamil Nadu has a hoary antiquity. Though early sangam classics throw historical references, it is only from the Pallavas we pass to recorded history.
South India had remained under the hegemony of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas for centuries. The Pallavas held supremacy from about the second quarter of the fourth century AD. They were the originators of the famous Dravidian style of temple architecture. The last Pallava ruler was Aparajita in whose reign the later Cholas under Vijayalaya and Aditya asserted themselves by about the 10th century. At the end of the 11th century, Tamil Nadu was ruled by several dynasties like the Chalukyas, Cholas and Pandyas. In the two centuries that followed, the imperial Cholas gained paramountcy over South India.
Muslims gradually strengthened their position, which led to the establishment of the Bahamani Sultanate, by the middle of the 14th century. At the same time, the Vijayanagar Kingdom quickly consolidated itself and extended its sway over the whole of South India and at the close of the century and became the supreme power in South. However, it crumbled at the battle of Talikota in 1564 to the confederate forces of the Deccan Sultans.
Even during the period of the tumultuous confusion that followed the battle of Talikota, European commercial interest had appeared as rivals in the area of South India. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English came in quick succession and established trading centres known as 'Factories'. East India Company which had established their factory at Masulipatnam, now in Andhra Pradesh, in 1611 gradually annexed territories by encouraging enmity among the native rulers. Tamil Nadu was one of the first of British settlements in India. The State is the successor to the old Madras Presidency which in 1901 covered the bulk of the southern peninsula. The composite Madras State was later reorganised and the present Tamil Nadu was formed.
Tamil Nadu is bounded on north by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on west by Kerala, on east by the Bay of Bengal and on South by the Indian Ocean
Agriculture
Agriculture is the major occupation in Tamil Nadu. The total cultivated area in the State was 58.15 lakh hectares in 2007-08. The principal food crops include paddy, millets and pulses. Commercial crops include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and groundnut. Plantation crops are tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber. Major forest produces are timber, sandalwood, pulp wood and fuel wood. Tamil Nadu occupies a premier position in the production and extensive application of bio-fertilizers. Efforts are on to improve farming technologies so as to increase yields in the low rainfall areas of the State. Annual food grains production in the year 2007-08 was 65.81 lakh Mt.
Industry and Minerals
Scles, auto components, railway coaches, power pumps, leather tanning industries, cement, sugar, paper, automobiles and safety matches.
Knowledge-based industries like I.T. and Biotechnology have become the thrust area in the industrial scene in Tamil Nadu. TIDEL, a software technology park, has been established in Tharamani, Chennai. The Software export from the State which was Rs.20,700 crore in 2006-07 is expected to cross Rs.25,000 crore in 2007-08. Top I.T. and Telecom companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Foxcon, Flextronic and Dell have commenced production.
Global auto majors Hyundai Motors, Ford, Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi have commenced production plants. Ashok Leyland and TAFE have set up expansion plants in Chennai.
Main mineral wealth of the state is granite, lignite and limestone. The State is an important exporter of tanned skin and leather goods, yarn, tea, coffee, spices, engineering goods, tobacco, handicrafts and black granite. Tamil Nadu contributes to 60 per cent of the tannery industry in India.
Irrigation
The State has rolled out important irrigation schemes. Modernisation of existing Periyar Vaigai System, Palar Basin System and Parambikulam-Aliyar System, besides the minor system in Vellar, Pennayar, Araniyar Amaravathi, Chithar basins totalling, an extent of six lakh acres of existing ayacut in Tamil Nadu, have been benefited by implementing the 'System Improvement and Farmers Turnover Projects' executed with assistance from World Bank. The World Bank has also approved Rs.2,547 crore for the Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration Management Project. The Project covers about 6,17lakh ha. in 63 selected sub-basins throughout the State. Nine irrigation projects, which were just started and going on a slow progress, have been speeded up with adequate fund and guidance for early completion. The major irrigation system covering one-third of irrigated extent in Tamil Nadu, namely tank irrigation system has been given due regard for development under WRCP and 620 tanks maintained by Public Works Department falling under Palar, Vaigai and Tamaraparani Basins have been taken up for rehabilitation and improvement. This project is nearing completion to the maximum satisfaction of the farmers. This State has become the pioneer State to implement the system of 'River basin management' by an individual body consisting of officials and farmers, besides various representatives of the basin.
Power
The total installed capacity for electricity in the State is 10,214 MW as on 31.03.2009. The installed capacity of State Sector is 5,690 MW and that of Private Sector is 1,180 MW. Apart from this 2825 MW is available as share from Central Sector, 305 MW is obtained from external assistance and 214 MW from Captive Power Plants. Apart from this wind mills from the private sector provide 4270 MW and 466.10 MW is received from co-generation plants and 109.55 MW from Bio-mass plants.
As on 31.03.2009, there are 1259 sub stations, 1.64 lakh Ckt. kms of Extra High Tension/High Tension lines, 5.26 lakh kms of low tension lines, 1.86 distribution transformers and 203.87 lakh service connections.
Transport
Roads: The length of roads network in Tamil Nadu is 61,641 km.
Railways: The total length of railways is 3,927 km and the main junctions stations are Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem, Erode and Arakkonam.
Aviation: Chennai, being the international airport in the southern region, is the main centre of airline routes. Besides, there are airports at Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Salem.
Ports: Major ports in the State are Chennai, Egmore and Tuticorin. There are seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.
Festivals
Bharatnatyam Dance
Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the farmers in January to worship the sun, the earth and the cattle as thanks giving for a bounteous harvest. Pongal festival is followed by the Jallikattu-Bull fight, in some parts of southern Tamil Nadu. Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu is internationally famous for Jallikattu - Bull fight. Chithirai festival, Madurai brings a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. Adipperukku is a festival celebrated on the 18th day of Tamil month, Adi, on the banks of rivers. It marks the commencement of new farming operations. Dance Festival, Mamallapuram, which is set before an open air stage, created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Odissi are some dance forms presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances. At the Natyanjali Dance Festival, the temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic Dancer'.
Kanthuri festival: is a truly secular festival, where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader, and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood and later the holy sandal paste is distributed to everyone.
Velankanni festival: Wondrous legends surround the church, the most famous being that of the ship wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers - earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
Navarathiri festival: Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different forms in different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge. Music Festival: In December Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance to present a galaxy of star artistes, old and new.
Tourist Centres
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Some of the places of tourist interest are: Chennai, Mamallapuram, Poompuhar, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam, Dharasuram, Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai, Srirangam, Madurai, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur, Velankanni, Nagoor, Chithannavasal, Kazhugumalai (monument centres), Courtallam, Hogenakkal, Papanasam, Suruli (water-falls), Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Elagiri Kolli Hills (hill stations), Guindy (Chennai), Mudumalai, Annamalai, Mundanthurai, Kalakad (wild life sanctuaries), Vedanthangal and Point Calimere (bird sanctuaries), Arignar Anna Zoological Park, near Chennai.
Tamil Nadu Map
Tamil Nadu Districts List
| S.No | Districts | Area in Sq Km | Population | Headquarters |
| 1 | Chennai | 1,180 | 43,43,645 | Chennai |
| 2 | Kancheepuram | 4,433 | 28,77,468 | Kancheepuram |
| 3 | Thiruvallur | 3,324 | 27,54,756 | Thiruvallur |
| 4 | Thiruvannamalai | 6,191 | 21,86,125 | Thiruvannamalai |
| 5 | Cuddalore | 3,999 | 22,85,395 | Cuddalore |
| 6 | Villupuram | 7,217 | 29,60,373 | Villupuram |
| 7 | Salem | 5,220 | 30,16,346 | Salem |
| 8 | Namakkal | 3,429 | 14,93,462 | Namakkal |
| 9 | Dharmapuri | 9,622 | 28,56,300 | Dharmapuri |
| 10 | Pudukottai | 4,651 | 14,59,601 | Pudukottai |
| 11 | Erode | 8,209 | 25,81,500 | Erode |
| 12 | The Nilgiris | 2,459 | 7,62,141 | The Nilgiris |
| 13 | Coimbatore | 7,469 | 42,71,856 | Coimbatore |
| 14 | Trichirappalli | 5,114 | 24,18,366 | Trichirappalli |
| 15 | Karur | 2,896 | 9,35,686 | Karur |
| 16 | Perambalur | 3,691 | 4,93,646 | Perambalur |
| 17 | Thanjavur | 3,397 | 22,16,138 | Thanjavur |
| 18 | Nagapattinam | 2,716 | 14,88,839 | Nagapattinam |
| 19 | Thiruvarur | 2,161 | 25,81,500 | Thiruvarur |
| 20 | Madurai | 3,676 | 10,93,950 | Madurai |
| 21 | Theni | 2,889 | 19,23,014 | Theni |
| 22 | Dindigul | 6,058 | 11,87,604 | Dindigul |
| 23 | Ramanathapuram | 4,232 | 11,55,356 | Ramanathapuram |
| 24 | Sivagangai | 4,086 | 17,51,301 | Sivagangai |
| 25 | Virudhunagar | 4,288 | 27,23,988 | Virudhunagar |
| 26 | Tirunelveli | 6,810 | 15,72,273 | Tirunelveli |
| 27 | Toothukudi | 4,621 | 16,76,034 | Toothukudi |
| 28 | Vellore | 6,077 | 34,77,317 | Vellore |
| 29 | Kanyakumari | 1,685 | 16,76,034 | Kanyakumari |
| 30 | Krishnagiri | 2,889 | 15,61,118 | Krishnagiri |
| 31 | Ariyalur | 1,939 | 6,94,058 | Ariyalur |
| 32 | Tirupur | 7,580 | 3,46,551 | Tirupur |
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