About Manipur Map
This Manipur map shows all the 16 districts of Manipur along with district headquarters and the state capital Imphal. Each of the districts are colored differently and are clearly delineated. Manipur is bounded by Nagaland in the north, Assam in the south and Mizoram in the west, while to the east it is bounded by the country of Myanmar. The map of manipur also indicates boundary types (country, country, state, district). An inset in the top-left corner shows Manipur location in relation to the rest of India and a north arrow shows map orientation.
Districts of Manipur
| S.N. | District Name | Headquarter Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishnupur | Bishnupur |
| 2 | Chandel | Chandel |
| 3 | Churachandpur | Churachandpur |
| 4 | Imphal East | Porompat |
| 5 | Imphal West | Lamphelpat |
| 6 | Jiribam | Jiribam |
| 7 | Kakching | Kakching |
| 8 | Kamjong | Kamjong |
| 9 | Kangpokpi | Kanggui |
| 10 | Noney | Noney |
| 11 | Pherzawl | Pherzawl |
| 12 | Senapati | Tahamzam |
| 13 | Tamenglong | Tamenglong |
| 14 | Tengnoupal | Tengnoupal |
| 15 | Thoubal | Thoubal |
| 16 | Ukhrul | Ukhrul |
About Manipur
Manipur- a small, yet a very culturally diverse and naturally beautiful state in the remote corner of the country. Manipur- known as the ‘Jewel of India’- boasts of valleys, hills, rivers, lakes, ponds, lakes, forest, mountain, plateau and more. A land of numerous festivals and fairs, of great historical importance, it is home to classical dances, to innumerable traditional art and crafts and above all, to immense biodiversity. With the international borders of Myanmar in the East and South, Manipur is one of the gateway to India and Southeast Asia trade and cultural exchange. So, Manipur is an important part of India’s vast Northeastern region- a culturally and geographically diverse part of the country.
Manipur has a geographical area of about 22,327 square kilometers and a population of about 3.2 million as per the 2011 Census of India, which is expected to rise steadily. Imphal is the capital city of Manipur and is a hub of political, economic, educational and cultural activities of the state. Manipur was upgraded as full-fledged state on January 21, 1972, when it was a Union Territory.
Where is Manipur Located?
Manipur is a landlocked State located in the North Eastern part of the Indian peninsula. It is bounded by Nagaland in the north; Assam in the west; Mizoram in the southwest and Myanmar in the east and the south. Manipur shares an international border of about 398 kilometers with Myanmar. This border State is critical for India’s Act East Policy and regional connectivity initiatives.
The state of Manipur is demarcated by a central valley which is flanked by mountainous regions. This facilitates the existence of various zones, each having its own group of people, wildlife and agricultural practices, making Manipur a very unique and diverse state.
Administrative Divisions of Manipur
Manipur is divided into 16 districts. Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Jiribam, Kakching, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Noney, Pherzawl, Senapati, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Thoubal and Ukhrul districts are administered by respective district authorities. They are responsible for implementing local governance, public administration, infrastructure development, health, education and government programs in respective districts. The state capital Imphal is located in the central valley of Manipur and is the administrative, political and economic hub of Manipur. All the districts are spread across the Imphal Valley as well as the hill regions. All the districts collectively represent Manipur’s geographical area, rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnic groups and thus Manipur’s unique social and cultural identity.
Geography and Landscape
Manipur has one of the most beautiful landscapes across India’s Northeast Region. The hills cover approximately 90% of Manipur and the rest forms Imphal Valley, home to Manipur’s vast population.
Average elevation in Manipur’s Valley is about 790m (2,590ft) or so above sea level. Surrounding Hills are much higher, and covering about three-fourths of the State’s land mass, are dense Forests that run through numerous rivers, waterfalls, lakes (wetlands) & habitats of many wildlife species.
The freshwater lake Loktak is Northeast India's largest and it has floating circular masses of mud on its surface, known as Phumdis. It is a natural wonder found nowhere else in the world.
Climate of Manipur
Manipur is a Subtropical High Altitude State. In comparison to other parts of India, summer is quite mild while winters are cool.
In Manipur, summer is usually mild compared to the rest of India while winters are cool. Average summer temperature in Manipur ranges between 22°C and 32°C (72°F to 90°F) while winter temperature ranges from 4°C to 21°C (39°F to 70°F) and is altitude dependent. Manipur receives most of its rain fall during southwest monsoon season which starts from May and ends in October. Annual average rain fall of the state varies from 1,200 mm to over 2,500 mm or more in different part of the state.
The best time to visit Manipur is from October to April when weather is dry and comfortable for visiting around.
History of Manipur
Manipur, a land with a recorded history of over two thousand years, was previously known as the Kingdom of Kangleipak. It was a full-fledged organized monarchy with rich cultural heritage and had its own identity and politics.
Manipur was one of the principal states during World War II. She fought gallantly during the Battle of Imphal in 1944, one of the greatest battles in Southeast Asia. After India gained independence in 1947, Manipur merged with Indian Union on October 21, 1949 and became a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972.
Many of Manipur’s ancient sites, practices and institutions still survive and give a glimpse into its long and rich history.
Population and Demographics
Manipur is home to a vibrant, multicultural society, made up of a large number of different ethnic groups. Each group has its own language, its own customs and traditions. The Meitei, the Nagas, the Kuki-Zo and the recognized tribal groups from the hill districts of the state are some of the major communities residing in Manipur.
Official language of Manipur is Manipuri/Meiteilon which is included in Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. English is used as language of administration and education. There are several Tribal languages too spoken in the State.
The literacy rate of Manipur is around 76.9% and significantly above India’s national average of 2011 of 72.98% in relation to furthering of education in the State.
Economy of Manipur
Agriculture is one of the main occupations in Manipur. The main crop grown in the valley is rice. Other crops grown in different parts of the state are maize, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and spices.
Handloom weaving and handicrafts are the major traditional industries of Manipur. Manipuri textile, bamboo crafts, cane and wood carvings, pottery etc. are well known for its artistic value and traditional use.
Tourism, horticulture, fisheries & Small Scale Industries are emerging to contribute to the economy. With Myanmar border to its East, Manipur’s role in cross border trade & regional growth is rising in the Indian Context.
Culture and Traditions
Manipur is endowed with a most rich and unique cultural heritage. It is globally known for its Manipuri Classical Dance that is considered as one of the eight classical dances of India. This elegant dance form is Vaishnavism-oriented and mainly depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and Radha.
In Manipur every aspect of life is engulfed by music, physical exercises and martial arts, festivals, games of the local community, dress, textiles etc. To name a few the State celebrates Yaoshang, Lai Haraoba, Ningol Chakouba, Kut and Cheiraoba among others to show case the diverse cultural colors of different ethnic groups of Manipur.
The traditional handwoven Phanek of the women of Manipur, and the colorful tribal textiles of the hill districts, are just a glimpse into the rich heritage of Manipur’s textiles.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Manipur is one of the biodiversity rich states in India. The forests of Manipur have endemics of mammals, birds, reptiles, orchids and also large number of medicinal plants.
The most famous wildlife in Manipur is found in Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating National Park in the world. It is the home to the endangered species of Manipur brow-antlered deer or the Sangai, which is also the official State Animal.
The park and other protected areas of Manipur like Shirui National Park also harbor unique and endangered ecosystems and wildlife including the rare Shirui Lily- the official state flower. This beautiful flower blossoms only on the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul district.
Tourism in Manipur
Manipur is home to a vast array of sites of interest including natural wonders, historical landmarks and cultural icons. The Loktak Lake, home to the unique ‘floating islands’ is a prime example of a freshwater ecosystem, whilst the Keibul Lamjao National Park, located within the lake, is home to the endangered Sangai deer.
The capital city of Imphal is home to some of the many historical sites of the region such as the Kangla Fort and the IMA Memorial, as well as the famous Ima Keithel (Mother’s Market) or ‘womens market’ which is known to be one of the world’s largest completely women run market. The INA Memorial Complex is also in Imphal where the Indian National Army was formed. Natural attractions such as the famous Dzükou Valley, Shirui Hills and various waterfalls, caves and trekking trails draws in many tourists throughout the year that are keen to explore Manipur’s vast wilderness.
Transportation and Connectivity
India connects to Manipur by air as well as road. With Imphal International Airport as its airport, there are regular flights to new Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bengaluru and to other major Indian cities including Hyderabad.
Manipur is also connected to the neighboring states through the National Highways and are further being connected through road network development for the purpose of trade and commerce in the region. In addition, the state is also expected to benefit from the development of railway network and increased rail connectivity being developed under the Act East Policy of India.
Education in Manipur
Manipur has come a long way in strengthening up the educational system with numerous schools, colleges, universities and professional institutions of higher learning including Manipur University, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur, Central Agricultural University and Manipur Technical University etc.
Institutions in Manipur contribute to human resources, research, agriculture, engineering, health care and the local economy.
Why Manipur is Known as the Jewel of India
The State of Manipur is aptly called the ‘Jewel of India’ because of its unique combination of Natural Resources, Rich Culture, Ecological Diversity and Historical Importance. The State has beautiful landscapes, only floating National Park, a fresh water lake, classical dances and colorful festivals and people. It is one of the Indian States which has a unique identity of its own. Manipur is also a vital Cultural and Geographic link between South Asia and Southeast Asia. The State is trying its best to preserve and promote its rich heritage even as it looks forward to rapid sustainable growth and greater integration with the rest of India and the region.