About Meghalaya

Meghalaya became a full-fledged State on 21st January, 1972. It was carved out of the then composite State of Assam and comprised the then United Khasi and Jaintia Hills District and United Garo Hills District of Assam.

Meghalaya is bounded on the North and East by Assam and on the South and West by Bangladesh. The State has an area of 22,429 sq. km. According to Census 2011, the population of Meghalaya is 29,66,889 and the literacy rate is 74.43%.

The name Meghalaya means "Abode of Clouds". The State is endowed with vast natural resources and offers a wide variety of flora and fauna, hill stations, rivers, waterfalls, caves and other tourist attractions. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is popularly known as the "Scotland of the East".

The State has a rich cultural heritage with three main tribal communities – the Khasis, the Garos and the Jaintias (Pnars), each with their own distinct traditions, customs, festivals, music and dance.

Meghalaya has a matrilineal society where lineage and inheritance are traced through the mother. The State Animal is the Clouded Leopard, the State Bird is the Hill Myna, the State Flower is the Lady Slipper Orchid and the State Tree is the White Teak (Gamhar).