State of India - Arunachal Pradesh

Area: 83,743 sq km

Population: 8,64,558

Capital Of City: Itanagar

Languages: Monpa, Miji, Aka, Sherdukpen, Nishing, Hill Miri,

Crops:

How You Know: Arunachal was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) before independence because it shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar. The area retained this name even after independence until 1972 when it was made into a Union Territory and renamed Arunachal Pradesh. On 20 February 1987, Arunachal became the 24th state of the Indian union.

History: Arunachal Pradesh, the 'land of the dawn-lit mountains' is one of the few unexplored regions of natural beauty in India. The horseshoe-shaped state is also India's land of rivers (over 50) and valleys. The place is also home to rare wildlife like the leopard and jungle cat. The white browed gibbon is found in Tirap and Lohit districts and red pandas and musk deers in the higher ranges.The dramatically imposing Tawang Gompa monastery is India's largest monastery. The 400 year old monastery is a fascinating complex of over 60 buildings and features a 26 feet high gilded statue of Buddha. ARUNACHAL PRADESH Area: 83,743 sq km Population: 8,64,558 Capital: Itanagar Main Languages: Monpa, Miji, Aka, Sherdukpen, Nishing, Hill Miri, Adi, Idu-Mishmi, Nocte, Bengali. Heard of these places? Tawang, Birang, Bomdila, Tipi, Itanagar, Parashuram Kund Khonsa, Dibang Valley Changlang, Tirap. Arunachal Pradesh, the 'land of the dawn-lit mountains' is one of the few unexplored regions of natural beauty in India. The horseshoe-shaped state is also India's land of rivers (over 50) and valleys. The place is also home to rare wildlife like the leopard and jungle cat. The white browed gibbon is found in Tirap and Lohit districts and red pandas and musk deers in the higher ranges. Did you know? Arunachal was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) before independence because it shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar. The area retained this name even after independence until 1972 when it was made into a Union Territory and renamed Arunachal Pradesh. On 20 February 1987, Arunachal became the 24th state of the Indian union. Places to visit: Itanagar is famous for its excavated ruins of the historical Ita Fort and the attractive Gyaker Sinyi or the Ganga Lake. Parashuram Kund is a prominent pilgrimage site. Namdapha Wildlife sanctuary in the Changlang district is home to the rare hoolock gibbon, white winged wood duck, and the big cats - especially tigers, snow and cloudy leopards. The dramatically imposing Tawang Gompa monastery is India's largest monastery. The 400 year old monastery is a fascinating complex of over 60 buildings and features a 26 feet high gilded statue of Buddha. Of about a thousand species of orchids in India, over 500 are found in Arunachal alone. These are colourful and some bear exotic names such as Sita-Pushpa and Draupadi-Pushpa, believed to have been worn by Sita and Draupadi for beautification

Tourist Places: Itanagar is famous for its excavated ruins of the historical Ita Fort and the attractive Gyaker Sinyi or the Ganga Lake. Parashuram Kund is a prominent pilgrimage site. Namdapha Wildlife sanctuary in the Changlang district is home to the rare hoolock gibbon, white winged wood duck, and the big cats - especially tigers, snow and cloudy leopards.