Meghalaya Map

About Meghalaya Map

This Meghalaya Map showing 12 districts of the Indian State of Meghalaya with district headquarters and individual districts colored differently to identify them. Shillong is the state capital of Meghalaya and it is marked on the map of Meghalaya along with district headquarters like Tura, Nongstoin, Williamnagar, Jowai, Nongpoh and Baghmara. The map clearly depicts the state and district boundaries as well as the international boundaries of the state. Meghalaya is bounded by the Indian state of Assam in the north and the east while it is bounded by Bangladesh in the south. A map of India is provided as an inset showing location of Meghalaya in India while a compass rose is provided to identify the orientation of the map.

Districts of Meghalaya

About Meghalaya

Meghalaya is a state in North Eastern India. Known for its rolling green hills, crystal clear waterfalls, mysterious caves, wildlife, scenic views and much more, the state is home to many of India’s indigenous tribes. Known as the ‘Abode of Clouds’ in Sanskrit, due to the state’s misty weather and high levels of rainfall, it is the 21st state of India and was created on 21st January 1972, covering an area of 22,429 sq km (8,660 sq miles). The state is bounded by Assam in the north and east, and Bangladesh in the south and west, and is an important cultural and geographical link between India and the rest of South Asia. With a rich heritage of tribal cultures, cool climate, exciting Eco-tourism opportunities, Meghalaya is one of the most exciting places to visit in India.

Location and Geography

Meghalaya is a state in North Eastern India. It is situated between 25°1’ N and 26°5’ N latitude and 89°47’ E and 92°47’ E longitude. It is a part of the eastern Himalayan foothills. The state comprises rolling plateaus with gently sloping hills, deep incised valleys, rugged limestone formations, numerous rivers and many majestic waterfalls. The average elevation in the state is about 150 meters (492 feet) above sea level, with the highest point being Shillong Peak at 1,965 meters (6,447 feet) above sea level. The area receives very heavy rainfall during the south west monsoon. Places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji (Sohra) receive the highest rainfall in the world and the area is also very rich with dense forests, wildlife and hundreds of unexplored caves.

History of Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s history and culture are rich and are dominated by traditions of the various tribes of the region. The main tribes are the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia, each having their own language and customs. Prior to Indian independence, the region consisted of several independent tribes kingdoms as well as a few chiefdoms, and were governed in accordance with their own traditional system of governance. Subsequently, during the British era, most of the region now called Meghalaya was merged with the province of Assam, but some of the tribes enjoyed great degree of autonomy. It was only in 1970, that the state became an autonomous state within the state of Assam and was later granted full statehood on 21st January 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. Today the state has its own identity and is contributing to the growth of the Indian northeastern region.

Administrative Divisions

Meghalaya has 12 districts. Each of the districts is governed from a headquarters. The 12 districts of Meghalaya are: East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills and North Garo Hills. The state capital, Shillong, is in the East Khasi Hills district. The tribal councils, autonomous district councils, municipalities and village institutions function to strengthen local governance.

Population and Demographics

The 2011 Census of India for the state of Meghalaya reported a population of approximately 2.97 million people. However, more recent estimates have reported a population of over 3.5 million people. The state has a low population density when compared to other Indian states, thereby allowing for the preservation of much of the natural landscape. The population of Meghalaya is described as being ‘very young’, ‘highly literate’, and ‘rurally based’. The state has one of the highest proportions of indigenous tribal people of any state in India. Scheduled Tribes make up around 86% of the total population of the state.

Indigenous Communities and Culture

Cultural identity of Meghalaya is often marked by the three major tribes namely the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities. In terms of the social organization of the State, Meghalaya is marked by a Matrilineal System, with the youngest daughter inheriting the family from her parents, with the sister becoming the head of the family after the death of her mother. It is a part of the traditions and folklore where the people have inherited colorful music, ethnic dances, merrymaking, handlooms, forest products like Bamboo, trees and the tasty local cuisine, as part and parcel of life. Several cultural festivals like the Wangala Festival of the Garo people which is dedicated to thank God for a bountiful harvest, followed by Shad Suk Mynsiem a prominent festival of the Khasi people held to show gratitude to Beatrica, the goddess of earth, and to celebrate Agriculture and the Almighty, then followed by Nongkrem Dance Festival to propitiate Ka Ksi Nongkrem the chief earth-goddess, the Behdienkhlam fought between the Khasi and Jaintia tribes to drive away the demonic spirits that spread diseases amongst human beings and many more. It brings in tourists from all parts of the Country and even abroad to this land of ethereal splendor, creating a perfect interface of the Traditional and the Modern.

Languages Spoken in Meghalaya

English is the official language of Meghalaya and is used for official purpose in administration, education and government offices. The major regional languages of Meghalaya are Khasi, Garo and Pnar (Jaintia) languages which are the languages of principal tribes of the state. In addition to English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali and Nepali languages are also spoken in different parts of the state, more so in urban areas and in the border areas.

Climate and Weather

The State of Meghalaya has a Subtropical Highland Climate with fairly cool summer, cold winter and extremely wet Monsoon season. The summer temperature for the region is usually between 15°C to 28°C or 59°F to 82°F and the winter temperature between 4°C to 16°C or 39°F to 61°F. The southwest Monsoon that begins in the month of June continues until the month of September with extreme rains. The region of Meghalaya is fairly pleasant to visit most of the time and is being visited by large numbers of tourists. The average annual rainfall received by Mawsynram is in excess of 11,800 mm or 465 inches and it is one of the places in the World that is being inhabited and having rainfall in excess of that.

Economy of Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s economy is largely contributed by Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Forest, Mines and Geology and Small Scale Industries. The agriculture of the state is supported by millions of farmers and labors and it is the main source of employment of the people. Most of the crops are grown throughout the year and include rice, maize, potatoes, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, areca nut, betel leaf, oranges, pineapples, bananas and broom grass etc. In fact Meghalaya is one of the leading states in producing of the best quality turmeric, ginger and broom grass in India. It is also a popular tourist destination. Its waterfalls, caves, living root bridges, wildlife sanctuaries and scenic landscapes attracts many visitors all over the world. In addition to these handicrafts, bamboo, weaving and food processing are also other industries that generate income for the people.

Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Meghalaya is part of the world’s greatest ecological region, the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Historically over 70% of the state’s surface area has been covered by forests, though the extent of forest cover has fluctuated with changes in land use. The forests of Meghalaya support a wide variety of species including elephants, clouded leopards, hoolock gibbons, barking deer, hornbills and many species of orchids, medicinal plants, butterflies and reptiles. Nokrek National Park, Balpakram National Park, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary among others protect a good portion of this biodiversity rich ecosystem.

Tourism in Meghalaya

With more or less of natural sites and cultural heritage Tourism is one of the fastest growing sector of Meghalaya. Places to visit in Meghalaya includes Shillong, Cherrapunji (Sohra), Mawsynram, Dawki, Mawlynnong, Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Krang Suri Falls, Laitlum Canyons and many more. Some of the adventure tourism includes trekking, caving, kayaking, boating, camping, rock climbing and wildlife tourism. The clean villages, the view points and the warmth of the people of Meghalaya are luring in more of the domestic and international tourists.

Education and Healthcare

The State capital, Shillong is now the hub for educational Institutions of higher learning and research. The State has a literacy rate of 74.4% as per 2011 census and is steadily progressing in respect of School enrollment and growth of Higher Education. There are Govt. Hospitals, District Hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primariy Health Institutions spread across the State. Efforts are being made by Govt. to develop Medical services, Road network and Digital connectivity to reach out to people’s hand for various services.

Transportation and Connectivity

The State of Meghalaya is connected to the rest of India through roads connected to the State of Assam. The two major National Highways that connect Meghalaya to rest of India are NH 6 and NH 106. Shillong has its own airport, Shillong Airport (IATA: SHL, ICAO: VESL) code (as Umroi Airport) but has very few domestic flights. The nearest International Airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (IATA: GAI, ICAO: VEGA) at Guwahati, Assam which is about 78 miles / 125 km from Shillong. Although Meghalaya has no railway station operational, Indian Railways is extending its network to the state through its expansion plans. Good network of highways and roads coupled with easy and affordable public transport like buses and taxis connects all major towns and tourist attractions within the State.

Government and Administration

Meghalaya is a parliamentary, democratic state with the Governor as the Head of the State and the Chief Minister as the Head of the Government. It is administered through Meghalaya Legislative Assembly that consists of 60 Members who are directly elected to power. The State also has a regular system of administration and three Autonomous District Councils namely, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. These three Autonomous District Councils have their own Constitutions which protect the customs of the Tribes, their lands and traditional systems of Governments.

Why Meghalaya Is Famous

Meghalaya, one of the seven North Eastern States of India, has gained international recognition for its spectacular natural attributes. It boasts the highest rainfall in the world, some of the most fantastic living root bridges, and stunning waterfalls, to name a few. Its extensive cave systems, diverse tribal cultures, and matrilineal societies have further added to its popularity. While travelers throng to the area to take in the splendor of nature and engage in adventure activities, the state has been successfully endeavoring to preserve the indigenous cultures even as it undertakes to protect its environment. Today, tourism in Meghalaya has grown to become one of the most successful sustainable projects in India, with sites such as Mawsynram, Cherrapunji, Nohkalikai Falls, Dawki River, Mawlynnong and Shillong being favored by tourists in large numbers.