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Sikkim

Sikkim
सिक्किम
State
Official seal of Sikkim
Seal
Location of Sikkim
Coordinates (Gangtok): 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33°N 88.62°E / 27.33; 88.62Coordinates: 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33°N 88.62°E / 27.33; 88.62
Country  India
Admission to Union 16 May 1975
Capital Gangtok
Largest city Gangtok
Districts 4
Government
 • Governor Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil
 • Chief Minister Pawan Chamling (SDF)
 • Legislature Unicameral (32 seats)
 • Parliamentary constituency Rajya Sabha 1
Lok Sabha 1
 • High Court Sikkim High Court
Area
 • Total 7,096 km2 (2,740 sq mi)
Area rank 29th
Population (2011)
 • Total 607,688
 • Rank 29th
 • Density 86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Nepali (lingua franca)
English
 • Additional official Bhutia, Gurung, Lepcha, Limboo, Manger, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sikkimese, Sherpa, Tamang
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code IN-SK
HDI Increase 0.684 (medium)
HDI rank 7th (2005)
Literacy 82.2% (13th)
Website sikkim.gov.in
Assembly of Sikkim abolished monarchy and resolved to be a constituent unit of India. A referendum was held on these issues and majority of the voters voted yes. On 15 May 1975 the President of India ratified a constitutional amendment that made Sikkim the 22nd state of India.
State symbols of Sikkim
Language Nepali
Song "Music of Sikkim"
Animal
RedPandaFullBody.JPG
Red Panda
Bird
Blood Pheasant.jpg
Blood Pheasant
Flower
Dendrobium nobile - Larssen.jpg
Noble dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile)
Tree
Alpenroos.jpg
Rhododendron
State symbols
State day 16 May (day of accession to India)
State animal Red panda
State bird Blood pheasant
State tree Rhododendron
State flower Noble dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile)

Sikkim (/ˈsɪkm/) is a northeastern state of India. It borders China in its north and east, Bhutan in its east, Nepal in its west and the Indian state of West Bengal in its south. Sikkim is also located close to the Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh. Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states. A part of the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth. Sikkim's capital and largest city is Gangtok. Almost 25% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park.

The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded on the Silk Road by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. It was ruled by a Buddhist priest-king known as the Chogyal. Once a vassal state of Qing China, it became a princely state of British India in 1890. After the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet, Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the dominion and republic of India. It enjoyed the highest literacy rate and per capita income among Himalayan states. In 1975, the Indian military deposed the Sikkimese monarchy. A referrendum in 1975 led to Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state.


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