80 Unbelievable Facts About Meghalaya

Facts About Meghalaya: Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India which literally means the home of the clouds. As of 2016, the population here is 32,11,474 and it is spread over an area of 220 square kilometers, with a length-to-width ratio of about 3:1. Myman singh and Sylhet in the southern end of the state Bordered by Bangladeshi divisions, Rangpur on the western side is surrounded by the Bangladeshi part and on the north and east by the Indian state of Assam. The capital of the state is Shillong.

During the British Raj in India, it was termed as "Scotland of the East" by the then British royal officials. Meghalaya was earlier part of the state of Assam, on 21 January 1972, the new state of Meghalaya was brought into existence by carving out the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hill districts of Assam. The official language here is English. Apart from this, other mainly spoken languages are Khasi, Garo, Panar, Biat, Hajong and Bangla. Apart from these, Hindi is also considered to be some dialect here, whose speakers are mainly found in Shillong. Unlike other states of India, the matrilineal system runs here, in which the lineage runs in the name of the mother (female) and the youngest daughter takes care of her parents and gets all their property.

The state is the wettest region in India, with an annual average rainfall of 12,000 mm (470 in). More than 70% of the state's area is forested. Meghalaya is an extension of the Meghalaya sub- tropical forest eco-region in the state, with montane forests being isolated from the tropical forests of other low-lying regions from north to south. These forests are particularly remarkable in terms of biodiversity of mammals, birds and trees.

Meghalaya has a predominantly agro-based economy in which the commercial forest industry occupies an important place. The main crops here are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana, papaya and many spices like cinnamon, turmeric etc. The service sector mainly consists of real estate and insurance companies. Meghalaya's Gross State Domestic Product ₹ 16,173 crore (US$ 2.36 billion) for the year 2012 was estimated. The state is rich in minerals from the point of view of geological resources but till now no notable industries related to it have started. There are approximately 1,170 km (730 mi) of national highways in the state. It is also a major logistics center for trade with Bangladesh.

80 Unbelievable Facts About Meghalaya in English

Interesting Facts About Meghalaya

The state is full of mountains.
There is a public sector cement factory at cherrapunji.
Main Industries of Meghalaya– Cement, iron and steel, cottage industries.
Meghalaya is a young state in India. It is in the North-East region of India.
Meghalaya borders with only one state – Assam. It shares international boundary with Bangladesh.
Potato, Rice and Maize are the main agriculture products. Khasi Mandarin oranges are quite famous.
The average annual rainfall goes as high as 1200 cm in some areas. It is the wettest place on Earth.
Economy of the state is driven by Agriculture mainly. 81 % of population is dependent on agriculture.
Do you know that the limestone caves in Meghalaya such as the Siju Cave are home to some of India’s rarest bat species.
The majority of the people in Meghalaya are Tribal people. The largest tribal community in Meghalaya are the Khasi people.
Nohkaliaki falls with a height of 1115 feet is the highest plunge type water fall of India. This is located near Cherrapunji.
Meghalaya’s forests are considered to be among the richest botanical habitats of Asia with about 70% of the state being forested.
On January 21, 1972, the new state of Meghalaya was formed. The districts included were Khasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hills.
Meghalaya shares an international border with Bangladesh. It is one of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about Meghalaya.

Geographical Facts About Meghalaya

India’s longest natural cave, Krem Liat Prah is located here. It is not only the longest natural cave in India but also in South Asia.
It is the only Indian state which traditionally follows matrilineal system in which the lineage and inheritance is traced through women.
Meghalaya has a number of ancient caves. A cave namely Jaintia Hills is long more than 22 km and connects two separate caves in the area.
The State animal of Meghalaya is Clouded Leopard, State bird is Hill Myna, State flower is Lady Slipper Orchid, and the State tree is Gamhar.
Meghalaya became an autonomous state by virtue of Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 and North East Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.
Elephant Falls: The structure on the black rocks resembles an elephant and hence the name. The rock structure was destroyed during an earthquake.
Meghalaya is one of the three States of India in which Christianity is the chief religion. About 70 % of the population of Meghalaya is of Christians.
The principal languages in Meghalaya are Khasi, Pnar, and Garo with English as the official language of the State. You are free to talk in English here.
Mawsmai Cave located in Cherrapunji is an experience of a lifetime that every traveller should have. There are narrow paths that are entwined with each other.
The famous tree root bridges of Cherrapunji – they are made up of living roots of trees reinforced with stones etc to give the form of hanging suspension bridge.
The forests of Meghalaya are also the home to the very rare insect-eating pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana which also called “Me’mang Koksi” in the local language.

Historical Facts About Meghalaya

Shillong is the oldest existing state capital city in India, except for Mumbai. It became the state capital of Assam in 1874 and then the capital of Meghalaya in 1972.
The forests of Meghalaya is known for a number of species of mammals. The important animals include wild buffalo, asiatic elephants, mongoose, wild boar and red panda.
Do know that from ancient times the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes had their own independent kingdoms until they came under British administration in the 19th century.
Do you know that many of the birds species seen here are endemic to the Himalayan foothills, Tibet and Southeast Asia only. These can’t be seen at other parts of India.
India’s longest cave system is located in Jaintia Hills in the state of Meghalaya. The cave system is more than 22 Km long and connects two separate caves in the region.
Here in Meghalaya, the children take the surname of the mother. Girls in the family inherit the property from their parents and boys go to the bride’s home after marriage.
The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in the West Garo Hills and the Balphakram National Park in the South Garo Hills are considered to be the most biodiversity-rich sites in Meghalaya.
And then again in October 1905, Meghalaya became a part of the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam, when Bengal was partitioned by Lord Curzon, the former Viceroy of India.
Shillong the capital of Meghalaya is also known as the “Rock Capital of India”. This city is well known all around the world for its passion and love for Western music and songs.
The British Indian government nicknamed it the ‘Scotland of the East’. They called it so because the rolling lush green hills of Meghalaya reminded the British of Scotland country.

Facts About Meghalaya Wildlife

Meghalaya’s forests host 660+ species of birds and numerous species of other wildlife. Some are very rare and can only be seen here. The bio-diversity of course is very unique here.
Do you know that the Great Indian Hornbill is the largest bird found in Meghalaya. This is one of the most incredible birds of the state and various festivals are associated with it.
Garo Hills is situated in the western part of Meghalaya. Garo Hills are home to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (pictured above), Balpakram National Park and also the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meghalaya is part of Seven sister states of North Eastern India. Literal meaning of the state is “abode of the cloud”. The capital city is Shilong which is also known as “Scotland of the East“.
Literacy rate of Meghalaya is 75.48 % which is just above India’s average literacy rate of 74.04 % as per 2011 census. Meghalaya stands at 18th rank among other Indian states in terms of literacy.
The highest peak in Meghalaya is Shillong Peak that has an altitude of about 1,961 metres, which is now a very prominent Indian Air Force Station in the Khasi Hills overlooking the city of Shillong.
When state of Bengal was divided in 1905, Meghalaya was merged into new province named Eastern Bengal and Assam”. When Bengal was united again in 1912, Meghalaya again became part of Assam province.
Meghalaya was previously part of the Assam state of India. Then it was on 21 January 1972, when the districts of Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia hills combined together to become the new state of Meghalaya.
In Meghalaya, in accordance to the Matriarchal system of society the lineage and inheritance are traced through women; the youngest daughter inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her parents.
Nohkalikai Falls is the highest waterfall of Meghalaya and the 3rd highest waterfall in India. It is located at a height of about 1,115 feet. It is located at East Khasi Hills, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.
Geographically, the state is bounded to the south by Bangladesh’s divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by Bangladesh’s division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by the Indian state of Assam.
The Mawlynnong Village of Meghalaya is not only called the “Cleanest Village in Asia” but is also called “God’s Own Garden”. This village is the best example of promoting community-based ecotourism to the globe.
It’s home to the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong. Mawlynnong located about 100 km away from Shillong, Meghalaya. The cleanliness of this beautiful village depends on a community based eco-friendly initiative.

Social Facts About Meghalaya

Meghalaya was incorporated into Assam in the year 1835 by the British Indian Government. During those times the region enjoyed semi-independent status by virtue of a treaty relationship with the British Government.
The majority of the people of Meghalaya are Christians. It is one of three states of India where more than 75% of the population practices Christianity. In fact, Hindus are the largest religious minority in Meghalaya.
A small portion of the forest area in Meghalaya is considered sacred and is spread in some small patches and are associated with various religious and cultural beliefs. It’s believed that Gods reside inside the forest.
Mawsynram near Cherrapunji holds the world record for having the maximum amount of rainfall throughout the year. It’s the world’s top wettest place. Mawsynram is about 65km away from the capital city of Meghalaya- Shillong.
Dawki in Meghalaya is a major center of trade between India and Bangladesh. And, the Dawki river and the bridge over it serves as the trade link. The Dawki river separates the two neighboring countries, India and Bangladesh.
Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills on 21 January 1972. Before attaining full statehood, Meghalaya was given semi-autonomous status in 1970.
Do know that the mountains and rock of Meghalaya are rich in deposits of valuable minerals like coal, limestone, uranium, and sillimanite. The state is geologically rich in minerals, but it has no significant industries to increase the economy.
The Don Bosco Museum situated in Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations of Meghalaya. A visit to this place will make you privy to the rich, multi-cultural lifestyle of the indigenous people of the entire north-eastern states of India.
Do you know that “U Ba-sa Ryngkew” is the God of the land of Meghalaya? And so, when it comes to Sacred Groves, people don’t really break the rules laid down by their ancestors fearing that U Ba-sa Ryngkew will punish them in every possible manner.
Meghalaya is famous for its orchids. The forests of Khasi hills are known to have 325 different species of orchids. It’s also known for having a number of species of mammals like the wild buffalo, Asiatic elephants, mongoose, wild boar, and red panda.

Cultural Facts About Meghalaya

Meghalaya has the world’s longest Sandstone Caves- Krem Puri. With a length of 24,583 metres, Krem Puri cave was discovered back in the year 2016. This sandstone cave is also India’s second longest cave in general category after limestone Krem Liat Prah.
Do you know the Shillong Golf Course is the Second largest natural golf courses in Asia. It is not only scenic and enjoyable but also challenging. This course was introduced by a group of British Civil Service officers in 1898 by constructing a nine-hole course.
Meghalaya receives a huge amount of rainfall every year and is the wettest region of India. Meaning “abode of the clouds,” it’s home to the top two wettest places on earth, according to Guinness Book of World Records. These two places are Cherrapunji and Mawsynram.
The name Meghalaya means ‘Abode Of Clouds’ in Sanskrit. Megha means ‘clouds’ and laya means ‘adobe’. It is called so in Sankrit because the state receives abundant rainfall and sunshine all throughout the year making it one of the richest botanical habitats in Asia.
The Nokrek National Park located in Cherrapunjee in the West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, India is the UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve. This national park is well-popular for the Red Pandas. Few of the last remaining Red Pandas can be only be seen here in this region.
The tribes of Meghalaya can be mainly classified into 3 groups: the Garos, Khasis, and Pnars. The Khasi Tribe of Meghalaya is the largest tribe not only in Meghalaya but in the whole of northeast India. Khasis at Meghalaya can be traced in various regions with various names.
Meghalaya is called the ‘abode of the clouds’ and at Laitlum Canyon one can experience that. The Laitlum Canyon is the only best place in the whole of Meghalaya where one can witness the best awe-inspiring vistas of the lush green hills of Meghalaya crisscrossing each other.

Information About Meghalaya in English

The Meghalaya state is a part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion that encompasses about 70% of the state’s land area as forests. Its mountain forests are distinct from the lowland tropical forests and are not just forests bust huge biodiversity of various flora and fauna.
Cherrapunji in the Khasi Hills holds the world record for maximum rainfall during a calendar month. It’s the world’s second wettest place. It is located at about 2hour and 30mins away from Mawsynram and is also famous for its extreme level of rainfall all throughout the year next after Mawsynram.
Meghalaya is the only Indian state that follows the Matriarchal system of society. The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya follows the Matriarchal system in the society where the woman takes care as the head of the household and earns a living for the family and the man simply manages the house and the children.
There are three Wildlife sanctuaries in Meghalaya – Bhagmara sanctuary, Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary and Siju sanctuary. In addition Mefhalaya also has National parks and biosphere reserves which are – Balphakram National park located in south garo hills and Nokrek Biosphere reserve of west garo hills.
Do you know that there are more than 1,000 caves in Meghalaya? The famous ones are Krem Puri and Krem Liat Prah. The majority of these caves are located in the backdrop of Jaintia Hills. Some of the discovered caves are located across varied regions of Cherrapunjee, Mawsynram, Shella, Pynursla, Nongjri, and Langrin.
At about 25 km from Shillong, there is a small village named Mawphlang in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. This village is an important Khasi Heritage Site which has one of the Khasi Hills sacred forest groves. Nobody is allowed to take anything from this forest, not even a dead leaf or stone intentionally.
Unlike many parts in India, Meghalaya doesn’t have the concept of the Panchayat system in its villages. The State and India Governance is there but, the local tribes still practice the local way of governance called Durbaars in their respective villages where various local issues are address based on the vote of mouth.
The water of the Dawki river which is also known as the Umngot River is so much crystal clear that looking down the water you could literally observe the pebbles and stone at the river bed. The bed is very clearly visible through the clean and blue water. It is located at Dawki town in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.
Do you know that research shows that the Stalagmite rock formations from Mawmluh Cave and the surrounding regions indicate the recurrence of intense, multiyear droughts in India over the last several thousand years. Mawmluh Cave of Meghalaya is very important to understand and predict the global climate system and its underlying reasons for climate change.
The Matriarchal system of inheritance of Meghalaya runs with the concept Khun Khatduh. It means that the person in the family who will take care of the parents and elders and the burden of looking after the elders is the one who gets to inherit the property. Khun refers to that person who can be a son or even a daughter. Khatduh on the other hand means taking the burden.
There’s the Double Decker Living Root Bridge which is located at Nongriat, Tyrna, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya. This bridge was constructed by the locals with the help of two trees crisscrossing each other making a bridge. The aerial branches of the roots of banyan trees are hand-weaved together to make such a beautiful and unique double-decker living root bridge to cross the stream.
Inside Krem Puri which is the world’s longest Sandstone Caves, the temperature always remains between 16-17 °C, no matter what the temperature is outside. And moreover, it’s not like the other caves with no shortage of oxygen inside because there is always air flowing in through small openings, cracks, and two entrances. So, it was seen that Krem Puri is full of rich fauna as well.

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