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INDIA
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- Capital: Delhi (No. of elected Lok Sabha Seats: 543).
- 3 Largest Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore.
- World's 7th largest country by area. Name derived from river Indus.
- Projected to be world's fastest growing economy till 2050.
- About 2.4% of world's area having 16% of world's population.
- Population: 120 Crores (2nd largest after China). Literacy Rate: 75%.
- Distances: North to South is 3214 Km; East to West is 2933 Km.
- India became an independent nation in 1947, now consists of 28 States & 7 Union Territories.
- Official Languages: Hindi, English and 22 other languages.
- Top Tourist Spots: Taj Mahal, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Temples, Himalayas. For tourism website: Click here
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ANDAMAN & NICOBAR (UT) |
- Capital: Port Blair. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- 572 islands spread over a distance of 800 km in Bay of Bengal.
- Andaman has 550, Nicobar 22 islands. Smallest island is 0.8 Sq Km.
- Adventure sports like Trekking, Snorkeling, Scuba diving are popular.
- In 2004, Radhnagar Beach in Havelock was voted Asia's best beach by Times.
- British used these islands as isolated prisons known as Kaala Paani before 1947.
- Official/Popular Languages: Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Havelock beach, Baratang, Cellular Jail. For tourism website: Click here |
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ANDHRA PRADESH |
- Capital: Hyderabad (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 42).
- 3 Largest Cities: Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada.
- Created in 1953. 4th largest state by area, 5th largest by population.
- Prasads IMAX theatre, Hyderabad has world's biggest 3D IMAX screen.
- Ramoji Film City is world’s largest integrated film studio complex spread over 2,000 acres.
- Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is one of the richest temples.
- In 1947, Nizam wanted an independent Hyderabad state but the people joined Indian republic.
- Has India's 2nd longest coastline (after Gujarat) of approx. 975 km.
- Official/Popular Languages: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Tirupati, Charminar, Ramoji Film City. For tourism website: Click here
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ARUNACHAL PRADESH |
- Capital: Itanagar (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 2).
- 3 Largest Cities: Itanagar, Naharlagun, Pasighat.
- Created in 1986. Also called the Land of the Rising Sun.
- China captured most of state in 1962 war but voluntarily withdrew & returned Indian war prisoners in 1963.
- Lowest population density (just 13 people per Sq Km).
- Himalayas cover majority part of the state and separate it from Tibet.
- Tuting tourist spot has wonderful, natural scenic beauty that is not known to many people.
- About 40 different languages are prevalent in the state.
- Official/Popular Languages: Tani, Assamese, Bengali, English, Hindi.
- Top Tourist Spots: Tawang, Lohit, Tuting. For tourism website: Click here |
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ASSAM |
- Capital: Dispur. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 14).
- 3 Largest Cities: Guwahati, Silchar, Jorhat.
- Created in 1947. State produces world's majority percentage of tea.
- Majuli is the world's largest river island on the Brahmaputra River.
- Before independence, Assam's capital was Shillong- which became Meghalaya's capital later.
- Known for Kaziranga (has the rare Indian Rhinoceros) and Manas National Parks.
- Assam also has world's largest population of the wild water buffalo.
- Guwahati is main hopping point for accessing Shillong, a hill station in the nearby state.
- Official/Popular Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Nepali, English, Hindi.
- Top Tourist Spots: National Parks, Guwahati, Jorhat, Goalpara. For tourism website: Click here
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BIHAR |
- Capital: Patna (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 40).
- 3 Largest Cities: Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur.
- Created in 1912. One of world's oldest living places with a history of 3,000 years.
- More than 50% Biharis are below age of 25, highest proportion in India.
- Nalanda (great renowned university) was established 1600 years ago. It was famous for 500+ years & attracted students from world over.
- Buddha attained enlightenment near Gaya. Lord Mahavir was born in Vaishali.
- Bhagwan Mahavira attained moksha in Pawapuri around 500 BC.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, Maithili, Urdu, Bhojpuri, English.-
- Top Tourist Spots: Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Kundalpur. For tourism website: Click here |
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CHANDIGARH (UT) |
- Capital: Chandigarh (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- Designed in 1950's, it serves as capital for both Haryana & Punjab.
- Name is associated with Goddess Chandi symbolizing power.
- It is India's first planned & richest city with per person income of approx. Rs. 1 lakh.
- City also has the largest number of vehicles per person in India.
- Rock Garden, spread over 40 acres, is completely built of industrial & home waste material.
- Official/Popular Languages: Punjabi, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden. For tourism website: Click here |
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CHATTISGARH |
- Capital: Raipur (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 11).
- 3 Largest Cities: Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg.
- Created in 2000. Carved from part of Madhya Pradesh.
- Close to half of state (45%) is covered under forests.
- Named after 36 princely houses in this region (Chhattis means 36 & garh means fort/house).
- The steel plant in Bhilai, operated by SAIL, is a big steel plant.
- Chhattisgarh produces 15% of the steel made in India.
- Bilaspur's railway division is one of India's most profitable railway operations.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, Chattisgarhi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Chitrakot Waterfall, Kanger Valley Park. For tourism website: Click here |
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DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI (UT) |
- Capital: Silvassa (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- Formally merged with India in 1961 when Indian forces took over Goa, Daman & Diu.
- Vanganga Lake Garden is popular with filmmakers. 40 Hindi film hit songs have been shot here.
- Aqua/adventure sports are popular near Dudhani after Madhuban Dam created a large water front.
- No occasion in tribal life is complete, be it a marriage or harvest, without a folk dance.
- Richness of tribal life is still intact despite having ruled by Marathas or Portuguese over years.
- Official/Popular Languages: Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Silvassa, Dudhani. For tourism website: Click here |
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DAMAN & DIU (UT) |
- Capital: Daman. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- Created in 1987, carved from Goa to form a Union territory.
- As per Mahabharata, Pandavas spent few days in Diu during their 14 years exile.
- Were under the rule of the Portuguese for a period of about 450 years.
- History says Daman/Diu were often gifted to victorious kings because of its matchless beauty.
- Some forts & churches are impressive that depict exquisite carvings.
- Official/Popular Languages: Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Devka Beach, Forts & Churches. For tourism website: Click here |
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DELHI (UT) |
- Capital: New Delhi. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 7).
- Calcutta was India's capital till Britishers made Delhi the Capital of India in 1911.
- Largest city by area, 2nd largest city by population in India.
- Was known as Indraprastha, capital of Pandavas (during Mahabharat).
- Qutub Minar is world's tallest free-standing brick minaret (Approx. 73 metres).
- DTC operates world's largest fleet of environment friendly CNG buses.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Akshardham Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar. For tourism website: Click here |
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GOA |
- Capital: Panaji (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 2).
- 3 Largest Cities: Vasco Da Gama, Margao, Panaji.
- Created in 1987 to form a separate state.
- India's smallest state but top ranked for best quality of life in India by a National Commission.
- In the past, Portuguese called Goa Rome of the East.
- Literacy rate close to 90%. Portuguese still taught as 3rd language in few schools.
- In 1947, after independence, Portugal refused to transfer the sovereignty of their Indian enclaves to India.
- Indian Army captured Goa in an operation called 'Operation Vijay' in 1961.
- Known for low beer and wine prices due to very low state excise duty on alcohol.
- Official/Popular Languages: Konkani, Portuguese, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Beaches, Churches. For tourism website: Click here
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GUJARAT |
- Capital: Gandhinagar. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 26).
- 3 Largest Cities: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara (earlier Baroda).
- Created in 1960 from former 'Bombay' state. Has India's longest coastline of about 1600 Km.
- Surat, once India's largest city, is known as 'Diamond City of the World'.
- Largest milk producer in India. Asia's biggest dairy (Anand- popular for Amul products) is here.
- First capital was Ahmedabad but capital moved to Gandhinagar in 1970.
- Great freedom fighter leaders like Mahatama Gandhi, Sardar Patel belonged to this state.
- World's largest oil refinery is at Jamnagar & largest shipbreaking recycling yard is at Alang.
- Official/Popular Languages: Gujarati, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Somnath Temple, Gir National Park, Laxmivilas Palace. For tourism website: Click here
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HARYANA |
- Capital: Chandigarh- also the capital of Punjab. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 10).
- 3 Largest Cities: Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak.
- Created in 1966. Name derived from Hari which is 'Hindu God Vishnu' and Aana meaning 'come home'.
- Gurgaon's 32 lane toll plaza at NH-8 is Asia's largest, world's 3rd largest.
- Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev was born in Mahendragarh, Haryana.
- The great battles of Mahabharata (at Kurukshetra) and 3 battles of Panipat were fought here.
- Bhagavad Gita recital by Lord Krishna also happened in this state.
- Produces largest number of cars & two-wheelers in India. Maruti & Hero Honda based here.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, Haryanvi, Punjabi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Surajkund Mela every year (Feb 1-15), Morni Hills. For tourism website: Click here
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HIMACHAL PRADESH |
- Capital: Shimla. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 4).
- 3 Largest Cities: Shimla, Solan, Kullu.
- Created in 1971. 30 princely states were united to form Shimla hill states in 1948.
- Kalka-Shimla railway track (96 Km) passes through 102 tunnels & crosses 860+ bridges.
- Known as the Fruit Bowl of India because of plenty of orchards.
- Rudyard Kipling had written for Kullu Valley: "Surely the Gods live here, this is no place for men".
- Shimla was the capital of undivided Punjab state in 1871 till Chandigarh city got constructed.
- Known as the 'Apple State' because India's first apples (and potatoes) were cultivated here.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Manali, Kullu, Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharamshala. For tourism website: Click here
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JAMMU & KASHMIR |
- Capital: Srinagar in Summer, Jammu in Winter. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 6).
- 3 Largest Cities: Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla.
- Created in 1947 after ruler Hari Singh signed accession agreement with the Governor General of India.
- Only Indian state under Article 370 of Indian Constitution under which no law passed by Indian Parliament (except defence, foreign policies) is
- applicable to this state unless approved by state legislature.
- Three wars with Pakistan were fought in years 1965, 1971 and Kargil War in 1999.
- Gulmarg, a popular ski resort is also world's highest green golf course.
- Indians from other states cannot purchase land/property in this state except lake houseboats.
- Apples, Cherries are grown in abundance and cherished by many across the world.
- Official/Popular Languages: Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Vaishnodevi. For tourism website: Click here
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JHARKHAND |
- Capital: Ranchi (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 14).
- 3 Largest Cities: Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Ranchi.
- Created in 2000, by carving out 18 districts of southern Bihar.
- Bokaro Steel Plant in this state is Asia's largest steel plant.
- Also known as 'Vananchal' which means 'Land Covered with Forests.
- More than 32% of Coal produced in India is from this state.
- Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro are considered big industrial hubs across all states in India.
- More than 75% of people in this state are farmers.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, Bhojpuri, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Jamshedpur, Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary. For tourism website: Click here
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KARNATAKA |
- Capital: Bengaluru (earlier called Bangalore). (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 28).
- 3 Largest Cities: Bengaluru, Mysore, Belgaum.
- Mysore state was created in 1956, was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
- Bangalore is called the 'Silicon Valley of India' because of most number of IT companies.
- Infosys, Wipro, Kingfisher Airlines, HAL, ISRO are based in Bangalore.
- Jog falls is one of the highest waterfalls in India, more than 250 metres.
- Gomateswara Statue at Shravanabelgola is world's tallest made out of single stone (57 feet).
- Karnataka has contributed a lot to Indian classical music (Carnatic and Hindustani styles).
- Official/Popular Languages: Kannada, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Bangalore, Mysore, Jog Falls, Coorg. For tourism website: Click here
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KERALA |
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (earlier called Trivandrum). (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 20).
- 3 Largest Cities: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi(Cochin), Kozhikode(Calicut)
- Created in 1956, carved from Travancore-Cochin state.
- Kerala is the only Indian state with 3 International Airports.
- Thiruvananthapuram was formerly called Trivandrum and got its current new name in 1991.
- Kerala has highest literacy of more than 95% among all Indian states.
- UNICEF & WHO declared it as world's 1st 'Baby Friendly State' due to it's breast-feeding promotions over
powder-feeding formulas.
- Called as 'Gods Own Country'. Even the first Church and Mosque in India were built in Kerala.
- Official/Popular Languages: Malayalam, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Kovalam, Munnar, Alleppey backwaters, Kumarakom. For tourism website: Click here
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LAKSHADWEEP (UT) |
- Capital: Kavaratti. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- Became a part of India in 1956. Smallest and least populated Union Territory of India.
- 36 islands in Arabian Sea with a total area of approx. 32 sq km. Only 10 islands are inhabited.
- India's largest producer of coconuts which are also rich in coconut oil.
- There are no local courts. It comes under the jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court at Kochi.
- Water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing and night voyage into sea are popular.
- Official/Popular Languages: Malayalam, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy. For tourism website: Click here
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MADHYA PRADESH |
- Capital: Bhopal. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 29).
- 3 Largest Cities: Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur.
- In 1956: States of Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh & Bhopal were merged to form this state.
- Indore is the only city in India to have an IIM and an IIT.
- Jabalpur was formerly called Jubbulpore and got its current new name in 1947.
- Khajuraho temples are known for the exquisite carvings and some erotic art outside the temple.
- The great 'Stupa' at Sanchi is a buddhist monastry that is more than 1700 years old.
- Gwalior Fort, one of the biggest forts in India gives a panoramic view of the Gwalior city.
- Official/Popular Languages: Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Khajuraho, National Parks, Gwalior, Ujjain. For tourism website: Click here
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MAHARASHTRA |
- Capital: Mumbai (earlier called Bombay). (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 48).
- 3 Largest Cities: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur.
- Created in 1960. Name derived from Maha which means 'Great' and Rashtra meaning 'Nation'.
- Bollywood is world's largest film industry. Releases more movies in a year than released in Hollywood.
- Mumbai was made up of 7 islands. Took 60 years to merge those islands & create a land mass.
- Mumbai was formerly called Bombay and got its current new name in 1995.
- Mumbai's Shivaji International Airport is India's busiest airport in terms of number of passengers.
- Navapur railway station is half in Maharashtra and half in Gujarat.
- Official/Popular Languages: Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Mahabaleshwar, Khandala, Ajanta/Ellora Caves. For tourism website: Click here
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MANIPUR |
- Capital: Imphal (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 2).
- 3 Largest Cities: Imphal, Thoubal, Kakching.
- Created in 1972. Manipur was a union territory from 1956 and became a state in 1972.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park has some rare species and is world's only floating national park.
- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru once paid a fitting tribute by describing this state as Jewel of India.
- Bhagyachandra created Ras Lila, the classical dance of Manipur.
- Communities like Meitei, Naga, Kuki have lived together in complete harmony for centuries.
- Travel permits are valid for only 10 days & visitors must travel on authorized travel agents tours.
- Official/Popular Languages: Manipuri, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Loukoipat, Kaina, Keibul National Park, Kangchup. For tourism website: Click here
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MEGHALAYA |
- Capital: Shillong. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 2).
- 3 Largest Cities: Shillong, Baghmara, Cheerapunjee.
- Created in 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
- Cherrapunjee, the wettest place (highest rainfall) on earth is only 56 kms away from Shillong.
- Shillong (known as the Scotland of the East) is world's 2nd largest hill station after Brasillia.
- Meghalaya (Abode of clouds) is known as Meghalaya Plateau & is made of oldest rock formations.
- Matrilineal system is mostly followed in which the family linage is taken from the mother's side.
- Shillong has some of the Asia's wettest, largest and 'natural' golf courses.
- Official/Popular Languages: Khasi, Garo, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Tura. For tourism website: Click here
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MIZORAM |
- Capital: Aizawl. (No. of Lok Sabha Seats: 1).
- 3 Largest Cities: Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai.
- A mountainous region which became the 23rd State of India in 1987.
- State has beautiful landscapes, lakes, 20+ hills and valleys.
- Palak, Biggest lake in the state (75 acres) is believed to be created from earthquake or a flood.
- In 2010, 10,000+ people in 650+ groups did Cheraw Bamboo Dance, a Guinness World Record.
- People in a village live like a large family. If anyone dies, everyone mourns together for weeks.
- Phawngpui (known as Blue Mountain) is state's highest peak and is popular with trekkers.
- Official/Popular Languages: Mizo, Hindi, English.
- Top Tourist Spots: Aizawl, Tamdil, Phawngpui. For tourism website: Click here
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