Avdisha, 8th Standard, Wisdom World School, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India - 136118

Area: 83,743 sq. km

Capital: Itanagar

Jurisdiction of High Court: Falls under Guwahati High Court

Population: 13.84 lakh (census 2011)

Principle languages: Monpha, Miji, Aka, Sherdukpen, Nyishi, Apatani, Tagin, Hill Miri, Adi, Digaru,-Mishami, Idu-Mishami, Khatmi, Miju-Mishami, Nocte, Tangsa, Wancho

State flower: Fox-tail Orchid

State tree: Hollong

State animal: Mithun

State bird: Great hornbill

Official website: http://www.arunachalpradesh.gov.in

Till 1972, it was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It gained the Union Territory status on 20 January 1972 and renamed as Arunachal Pradesh. On August 15 1975, an elected Legislative Assembly was constituted and the first Council of Ministers assumed office. The first general election to the Assembly was held in February 1978. Administratively, the state is divided into sixteen districts. The capital of the state is Itanagar in Papum Pare district. Itanagar is named after Ita fort, meaning fort of bricks, built in the 14^th century AD. Arunachal Pradesh finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas.

The widely scattered archaeological remains at different places in Arunachal Pradesh bear testimony to its rich cultural heritage.

Agriculture and Horticulture

Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the state and mainly depends on jhum cultivation. Encouragement is being given to the cultivation of cash crops like potatoes and horticulture crops like apples, oranges and pineapples.

Industries and Minerals

For conservation and exploration of the vast minerals the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL) was set up in 1991. Namchik-Namphuk coal fields are taken up by APMDTCL. To provide training to craftsmen in different trades there are two industrial training institutes at Roing and Daporijo.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals of the state are Mopin and Solung of the Adis, Lossar of the Monpas, Boori-boot of the Hill Miris, Sherdukpens, Dree of the Apatanis, Si-Donyi of the Tagins, Reh of the ldu-Mishmis, Nyokum of the Nyishis, etc. Animal sacrifice is a common ritual in most festivals.

Tourist Centres

Places of tourist interest are Tawang, Dirang, Bomdila, Tipi, Itanagar Malinithan, Likabali, Pasighat, Along, Tezu, Miao, Roing, Daporijo Namdapha, Bhismaknagar, Prashuram Kund and Khonsa.