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Meghalaya

Meghalaya
State
7 Sister Falls Cherrapunji Meghalaya
7 Sister Falls Cherrapunji Meghalaya
Official seal of Meghalaya
Seal
IN-ML.svg
Country  India
Formation 20 January 1972
Capital Shillong
Largest city Shillong
Districts 11
Government
 • Governor V. Shanmuganathan
 • Chief Minister Mukul Sangma (INC)
 • Legislature Unicameral (60 seats)
 • Parliamentary constituency Rajya Sabha 1
Lok Sabha 2
 • High Court Meghalaya High Court
Area
 • Total 22,429 km2 (8,660 sq mi)
Area rank 23rd
Population (2014)
 • Total 3,211,000
 • Rank 23rd
 • Density 140/km2 (370/sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code IN-ML
HDI Increase 0.585 (medium)
HDI rank 19th (2005)
Literacy 75.84% (24th)
Official language English,Khasi, Garo
Website meghalaya.gov.in
It received the status of a full-fledged State in 1971 by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971

Meghalaya (/mɡˈɑːləjə/ or US /ˌmɡəˈlə/;/meːɡʱaːləj(ə)/) is a state in northeast India. The name means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit. The population of Meghalaya as of 2014 is estimated to be 3,211,474. Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1.

The state is bounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the east by India's State of Assam. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. During the British occupation of India, foreign British imperialist "authorities" nicknamed it the "Scotland of the East". Meghalaya was previously part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya. English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar and Garo. Unlike many Indian states, Meghalaya has historically followed a matrilineal system where the lineage and inheritance are traced through women; the youngest daughter inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her parents.


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