Himachal Pradesh
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'''Himachal Pradesh''' is a mostly mountainous States and territories of India|state in northwest India, formally known as the Simla Hill(s) States and/or Punjab Hill(s) States. Neighbouring regions are Tibet to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north and northwest, Punjab, India|Punjab to the southwest, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the south and Uttaranchal to the southeast.
It is 55,658 sq km (21,490 sq mi) and the population in 1991 was 5,111,079.
For its feudal and colonial history, see Hill States.
It was established as an administrative unit in 1948 finalzing the gradual combining of some 30 hill states (including feudatories) and it was made the 18th state of India on January 25, 1971.
The state capital is Shimla (formerly British India's summer capital under the name Simla), other major towns are Dharamsala, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Dalhousie, India|Dalhousie and Manali. The western Himalaya lies in the north and east and the smaller Siwalik Hills|Shiwalik (or Shivalik) range in the south. The Ghaggar River originates in the Shivalik range. The main rivers are the Sutlej River|Sutlej (home of the Bhakra Nangal Dam Project) and the Beas River|Beas. The bridge on the Sutlej River at Kandraur, Bilaspur is one of the highest bridges in Asia.
Districts
Kangra
Hamirpur
Mandi
Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur
Una
Chamba
Lahul and Spiti
Sirmaur
Kinnaur
Kullu
Solan
Shimla, containing the state capital
Culture
The major spoken languages are Kangri language|Kangri, Pahari, Punjabi language|Punjabi, Hindi and Mandiali language|Mandiali. Kangri and Mandiali are believed to be twin dialects originating from Punjabi.
Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism are the main religions. Dharmshala, in the western area of the state is the home of the Dalai Lama and many Tibetan refugees.
Politics
See Also: '':Category:Indian political parties-Himachal Pradesh|List of political parties in the state''
In 2003 the state legislative assembly was won by the Indian National Congress. The main opposition is the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Transportation and Communication
Roads are the main mode of transport. Transportation can be slow and dangerous especially during monsoon season due to the narrow and winding roads and to frequent landslides and washouts. The government-owned Himachal Road Transport Corporation runs a network of buses across the state. Most areas have telephone and mobile phone services.
References
Verma, V. 1996. ''Gaddis of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas''. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi.
Handa, O. C. 1987. ''Buddhist Monasteries in Himachel Pradesh''. Indus Publishing Co., New Delhi. ISBN 81-85182-03-5.
External links
http://himachalpardesh.blogspot.com Information and photos of Himachal Pradesh
http://himachal.nic.in/welcome.asphttp://www.ibiblio.org/himachal/http://www.123himachal.com/http://www.himachalonline.com
http://www.himvikas.org/http://www.dharamsalanet.com/index.htm
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