Uttarakhand Map

About Uttarakhand Map

This Uttarakhand Map is a representation of geographical locational features of state which includes 13 administrative zones or districts. Map of Uttarakhand shows each district with the location of head quarters of all districts. The Uttarakhand state map shows the geographical entity of the state along with capital city Dehradun. The Uttarakhand map shows the district boundaries, state boundary and international boundary of state towards North with China and East with Nepal. Towards Northwest it is bounded by Himachal Pradesh and towards South by Uttar Pradesh. Every district in the Uttarakhand State Map is highlighted with different color on Uttarakhand map.

Districts of Uttarakhand

Facts about Uttarakhand

About Uttarakhand

The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand exists within the Himalayan range as a sacred place featuring dramatic landscapes and holy rivers. The new state of Uttarakhand separated from Uttar Pradesh on November 9th 2000 and people call it "Devbhumi" or "Land of the Gods" because it contains numerous sacred pilgrimage sites. The state extends across 53,483 square kilometers (20,650 square miles) of land which borders China's Tibet region to the north and Nepal to the east while Himachal Pradesh lies to the west and Uttar Pradesh to the south.

Uttarakhand is split into two areas. Garhwal, to the west and Kumaon to the east. With landscapes ranging from snowy peaks in the north to lush forests in the south where renowned rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna begin their journey from glaciers like Gangotri and Yamunotri that hold great significance for people all, over India. The altitude changes greatly across the land, in Nepal. It ranges from the Terai area to mountains reaching heights of over 7.000 meters. A notable peak is Nanda Devi standing at 7.816 meters (25.643 feet) making it the second tallest mountain, in India.

The state has a variety of weather patterns depending on the altitude level it encompasses. At altitudes, in the area experience cold alpine conditions and significant snowfall in winter seasons while regions at elevations enjoy a tropical climate with high humidity. Forests encompass around 65 percent of the states territory resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna. Prominent protected areas include Jim Corbett National Park, the park, in India and Valley of Flowers National Park, a site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage location.

Historical Overview

The history of Uttarakhand has connections, to mythology and religious customs that go way back in time. The Vedas and the Puranas, which are very old texts, often talk about this area. Legend has it that revered sages like Vyasa, the esteemed author of the Mahabharata and Adi Shankaracharya journeyed through these lands. Throughout centuries many towns and temples in the state such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. Collectively known as the Char Dham. Have been pilgrimage sites, for devotees.

Throughout history various dynasties such, as the Katyuri and Chand dynasties in Kumaon and the Panwar dynasty in Garhwal governed the region. During the era certain parts of present day Uttarakhand fell under control leading to the growth of popular hill stations like Nainital and Mussoorie. Following Indias independence in 1947 the area remained part of Uttar Pradesh until a movement for statehood arose due, to its cultural and geographic characteristics. Uttarakhand became Indias state in the year 2000 marking a milestone in its formation.

Economic Landscape

The economy of Uttarakhand is influenced by its geographical features. Agriculture and tourism are drivers of growth, along with hydropower production playing a significant role too. Even though the regions landscape is mostly mountainous and not conducive to farming operations the practice of terrace farming is common in the areas where crops like rice, wheat, barley and millets are cultivated; while sugarcane along with fruits such, as litchis, mangoes and guavas are grown in the plains.

Tourism plays a role, in the states economy as it welcomes millions of visitors every year with a mix of tourism options like the Char Dham Yatra and adventure activities such as trekking and river raftings in destinations, like Rishikesh and Haridwar known for yoga and spirituality.

Culture and Religious Importance

Uttarakhand is the tourism capital of Spirituality and ancient temples. The region is known as the abode of spirituality and religion. All four sites of Char Dham – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri – are located in Uttarakhand and are of great importance to all the pilgrims around the world. Haridwar and Rishikesh – the Yoga Capital of the World, are the two most popular tourist destinations of spiritual tourism in Uttarakhand. You can experience the beautiful sacred Ganga Aarti in Haridwar and Rishikesh and can learn yoga and meditation. Haridwar also hosts the Kumbh Mela – the largest religious festivities in the world.

Cultural traditions of Uttarakhand are reflected in the community life of Garhwali and Kumaoni people of the State. Folk music and traditional dances of the region have their own importance and are deeply attached to the life of its inhabitants. Every festival of the region is special in its own way and have their significance like Harela, Phool Dei, Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra etc. The region is famous for its Handicrafts, woolen products and local embroidery, woodcarving, metal work and ringaal bamboo crafts.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Uttarakhand with over fifty percent of its area covered with forests, grassy mountain pastures, rivers and snow-crowned peaks possesses incredible biodiversity. It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species like snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, Asiatic black bear and Himalayan monal (the state bird of Uttarakhand). All these zones of natural splendor are also preserved as protected forest areas as well as national parks and are promoted for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.

Jim Corbett National Park is located at the base of the Himalayas and is famous as India’s oldest national park and as a major conservation area for the rare Bengal tiger. Other Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the state include Rajaji National Park, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. The UN World Heritage Valley of Flowers National Park is a must visit place every summer as it is filled with colorful seasonal alpine flowers and spectacular natural beauty.

Transport and Connectivity

Uttarakhand, a northern state of India is gradually building up on its transport infrastructure as the state has plenty of tourist destinations to showcase to its visitors. Right from popular holiday travel destinations like hill stations and beautiful holiday spots to spiritual tourist destinations, Uttarakhand offers all. The main transport hub of the state is Dehradun and it has good connectivity by road, rail and air. The only domestic airport in the state is Jolly Grant Airport which is positioned at a close proximity to Dehradun.

National highways connect the State to the four adjacent States of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. Although the railway system is confined mainly to the plains and foothills with stations at Haridwar, Dehradun, Kathgodam and Rudrapur, roads are the chief means of transport in most of the hill districts. Construction of all-weather roads and introduction of ropeways have made it possible for devotees and tourists to access even remote places of pilgrimage and tourist interest.