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              MEGHALAYA TRAVEL GUIDE
    
         SHILLONG

Meghalaya  is a small state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally
means "The Abode of Clouds" in Hindi and Sanskrit. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the
eastern part of the country about 300 km long (east-west) and 100 km wide, with a
total area of about 22,429 kmē. The population numbered 2,175,000 in 2000. The
state is bounded on the north by Assam and by Bangladesh on the south. The
capital is Shillong, which has a population of 260,000.

About one third of the state is forested. The Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion
encompasses the state; its montane forests are distinct from the lowland tropical
forests to the north and south. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their
biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants.

Meghalaya was formed by carving out the two districts of the state of Assam: the
United Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills on 21 January 1972. Prior to
attaining full statehood, Meghalaya was given a semi-autonomous status in 1970.

The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes each had their own kingdoms, until they came
under the British administration in the 19th century. Later, the British incorporated
Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. The region enjoyed semi-independent status by
virtue of a treaty relationship with the British Crown.

When Bengal was partitioned on 16 October, 1905 by Lord Curzon, Meghalaya
became a part of the new province of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam'. However, when
the partition was reversed in 1912, Meghalaya became a part of the province of
Assam. At the time of Independence of the country in 1947, the present day
Meghalaya constituted two districts of Assam and enjoyed limited autonomy within
the state of Assam.

On 3 January, 1921 in pursuance of Section 52A of the Government of India Act of
1919, the Governor-General-in-Council declared the areas now in Meghalaya, other
than the Khasi States, as "backward tracts". Subsequently however, the Government
of India Act of 1935 regrouped the backward tracts into two categories, namely,
"excluded" and "partially excluded" areas in place of backward tracts.

At the time of Independence of the country in 1947, the present day Meghalaya
constituted two districts of Assam and enjoyed limited autonomy within the state of
Assam.

The Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 accorded an autonomous status
on the state of Meghalaya. The Act came into effect on April 2nd 1970, and an
Autonomous State of Meghalaya was created within the State of Assam. The
Autonomous state had a Legislature in accordance with the Sixth schedule to the
Constitution. The Legislature had 37 members.

In 1971, the Parliament passed the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971,
which conferred full statehood on the Autonomous State of Meghalaya. Meghalaya
attained statehood on 21 January 1972, with a Legislative Assembly of its own.


GENERAL INFORMATION


Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                   22,429 kmē (8,660 sq mi)
Capital              Shillong
Largest city       Shillong
District(s)          7
Population        2,306,069 (23rd)
Density              103/kmē (267/sq mi)
Language(s)    Garo, Khasi, English