Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand (Hindi: Uttarākhaṇḍ, pronounced, lit.'Northern Land'), is a state in northern India. It shares international borders with Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east, while the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh border it to the west and south, respectively. Formerly known as Uttaranchal, the state was established on 9 November 2000 after being separated from Uttar Pradesh. Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km (20,650 sq mi), equal to 1.6 per cent of the total area of India. Dehradun is the winter capital, while Bhararisain serves as the summer capital. Nainital is the judicial capital of the state. Administratively, Uttarakhand is divided into the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, comprising thirteen districts. The state is renowned for its high-altitude and rugged topography, with the Himalayas covering most of its area and serving as the source of several major perennial river systems.

Uttarakhand's history dates back to prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence indicating early human habitation in the region. During the Vedic period, it formed part of the ancient Kuru and Panchal kingdoms. In later centuries, the region witnessed the rise of local dynasties such as the Kunindas and came under the influence of Buddhism, as evidenced by Ashokan edicts found in the area. Uttarakhand is predominantly mountainous, with the Himalayas covering much of the state. Its geography consists broadly of the Greater Himalayas in the north, the Lesser Himalayas in the central region, and the Shiwalik hills and Terai-Bhabar plains in the south. The state contains several of India's highest peaks, including Nanda Devi and Kamet, as well as extensive forests, deep valleys and river gorges. The Ganges is formed at Devprayag by the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers; other major rivers include the Ramganga and Mandakini. Forests cover about 45 per cent of the state's geographical area. The cultivable area is 16 per cent of the total geographical area.

Though long known for agriculture and traditional hill farming, the state's economy is now dominated by the services industry and hydropower. Tourism and pilgrimage are important contributors to the state's economy, supported by its Himalayan landscape, religious sites and natural resources. Most of the state’s industries are forest-based. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Uttarakhand is ₹3.78 lakhcrore (US$39 billion). Uttarakhand has five seats in the Lok Sabha and three seats in the Rajya Sabha. Its per-capita income is above the national average. Uttarakhand had a population of approximately 11.9 million. Hindus constitute the majority of the population, while Islam is the second-largest religion. The state's inhabitants are commonly identified as GarhwaliorKumaoni according to their regional origin. Hindi is the principal language of Uttarakhand and one of its official languages, while Sanskrit also has official status. Regional languages include Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari, as well as several languages spoken by communities in the Himalayan border regions.

The state is sometimes known as Devabhumi ("Land of the Gods") because of its numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres. Major religious destinations include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath and the other sites associated with the Char Dham. In addition to the Char Dhams, other sacred circuits such as the Panch Badris, Panch Kedars, and Panch Prayags hold religious significance. The state is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.