Assam also, rarely,Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country.
Known for exquisite natural resources, geography and its important role in India's freedom struggle; Assam has its capital as Dispur, an especialized city circuit region located on the outskirts of its largest metropolis,Guwahati. Located south of the eastern Himalayas, Assam comprises the Brahmaputra.
Known for Assam tea, large and old petroleum resources, Assam silk and for its rich biodiversity, Assam gets royalty from the government of India for its contribution to tea and other resources.
When comes to wildlife, Assam too has successfully conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the tiger and numerous species of birds, and it provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga and Manas are both World Heritage Sites.
A land of high rainfall, Assam is endowed with lush greenery and the mighty river Brahmaputra.
Assam is endowed with petroleum, natural gas, coal,limestone and other minor minerals such as magnetic quartzite, kaolin, sillimanites, clay and feldspar. A small quantity of iron ore is available in western districts.
The Kaziranga, home of the rare Indian Rhinoceros, and Manas are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Assam. The state is the last refuge for numerous other endangered species such as the Golden Langur (Presbetis geei),White-winged Wood Duck or Deohanh (Cairina scutulata), Bengal Florican, Black-breasted Parrotbill. Assam is also known for orchids. The state has the largest population of the Wild Water Buffalo in the world.
The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods and frequent mild earthquakes. Strong earthquakes are rare.
According to the 2001 census, there were 17,296,455 Hindus, 8,240,611 Muslims, 986,589 Christians, 22,519 Sikhs, 51,029 Buddhists, 23,957 Jains and 22,999 belonging to other religious communities. The latter includes Animism (Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities).
Assamese and Bodo are the major indigenous and official languages while Bengali holds official status and is the second most widely spoken language of the state.
There are diversified important traditional festivals in Assam. Bihu is the most important and common and celebrated all over Assam. Durga Puja is another festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. Muslims celebrate two Eids with much eagerness all over Assam.
Bihu is a series of three prominent festivals.
Assam has a rich tradition of crafts; presently, Cane and bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, wood craft, jewellery making, musical instruments making, etc. remained as major traditions. Assam's biggest contribution to the world is tea. It produces some of the finest and expensive teas and has its own variety. Assam also accounts for fair share of India’s production of rice, rapeseed, mustard seed, jute, potato, sweet potato, banana, papaya, areca nut and turmeric. It is also a home of large varieties of citrus fruits, leaf vegetables, vegetables, useful grasses, herbs, spices, etc.
Guwahati is the largest urban centre and a million plus city in Assam. The city has experienced multifold growth during past three decades to grow as the primate city in the region. The town of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance.
Known for exquisite natural resources, geography and its important role in India's freedom struggle; Assam has its capital as Dispur, an especialized city circuit region located on the outskirts of its largest metropolis,Guwahati. Located south of the eastern Himalayas, Assam comprises the Brahmaputra.
Known for Assam tea, large and old petroleum resources, Assam silk and for its rich biodiversity, Assam gets royalty from the government of India for its contribution to tea and other resources.
When comes to wildlife, Assam too has successfully conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the tiger and numerous species of birds, and it provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga and Manas are both World Heritage Sites.
A land of high rainfall, Assam is endowed with lush greenery and the mighty river Brahmaputra.
Assam is endowed with petroleum, natural gas, coal,limestone and other minor minerals such as magnetic quartzite, kaolin, sillimanites, clay and feldspar. A small quantity of iron ore is available in western districts.
The Kaziranga, home of the rare Indian Rhinoceros, and Manas are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Assam. The state is the last refuge for numerous other endangered species such as the Golden Langur (Presbetis geei),White-winged Wood Duck or Deohanh (Cairina scutulata), Bengal Florican, Black-breasted Parrotbill. Assam is also known for orchids. The state has the largest population of the Wild Water Buffalo in the world.
The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods and frequent mild earthquakes. Strong earthquakes are rare.
According to the 2001 census, there were 17,296,455 Hindus, 8,240,611 Muslims, 986,589 Christians, 22,519 Sikhs, 51,029 Buddhists, 23,957 Jains and 22,999 belonging to other religious communities. The latter includes Animism (Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities).
Assamese and Bodo are the major indigenous and official languages while Bengali holds official status and is the second most widely spoken language of the state.
There are diversified important traditional festivals in Assam. Bihu is the most important and common and celebrated all over Assam. Durga Puja is another festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. Muslims celebrate two Eids with much eagerness all over Assam.
Bihu is a series of three prominent festivals.
Assam has a rich tradition of crafts; presently, Cane and bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, wood craft, jewellery making, musical instruments making, etc. remained as major traditions. Assam's biggest contribution to the world is tea. It produces some of the finest and expensive teas and has its own variety. Assam also accounts for fair share of India’s production of rice, rapeseed, mustard seed, jute, potato, sweet potato, banana, papaya, areca nut and turmeric. It is also a home of large varieties of citrus fruits, leaf vegetables, vegetables, useful grasses, herbs, spices, etc.
Guwahati is the largest urban centre and a million plus city in Assam. The city has experienced multifold growth during past three decades to grow as the primate city in the region. The town of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance.