Uttarakhand was formed on 9th November 2000 as the 27th State of India, when it was carved out of northern Uttar Pradesh. Located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it is largely a hilly State; having international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. The four most sacred and revered Hindu temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in this state. It’s truly God’s Land (Dev Bhoomi).
Facts about Uttarakhand:
| Area | 53,484 sq.km |
| Establishment | 9 Nov. 2000 as Uttranchal and renamed Uttrakhand in 2007 |
| Population | 1.01 cr (2011 census) |
| Principal official Language | Hindi Garhwali Kumaoni Urdu Punjabi Jaunsari Nepali Bhoti Buksa Tharu Raji Rawat |
| Neighbouring States | UP, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana |
| Capital | Dehradun |
| Members of parliament | Lok Sabha=5 ,Rajya Sabha= 3 |
| Legislature | Unicameral (Assembly 70 seats) |
| Airports | Jolly Grant (Dehradun) |
| Major Cities | Degradun,Haridwar,Roorkee, Haldwani,Rudrapur,Rishikesh, Pithoragarh, |
| Festivals | Kumbh Mela,Devidhura Mela,Nanda Devi Mela,Gauchar Mela,Baishakhi & Magh Mela, Puranagiri Mela |
| Economy Size | US$ 24.05 billion, Per capita income is ₹1,03,000 (FY 2013). Tourism is its backbone. |
| Literacy | 79.63 % |
| Districts | 13 |
| Sex Ratio (as per 2011 census) | 963 per thousand male |
| Density | 189 persons/ km2 |
| Principal Folk Dances | Barada Nati, Bhotiya Dance,Chancheri,Chhapeli,Choliya Dance,Jagars,Jhora, Langvir Dance,Langvir Nritya,Pandav Nritya,Ramola Shotiya Tribal Folk Dances,Thali, Jadda and Jhainta |
| Minerals | Limestone, Rock Phosphate, Dolomite, Magnesite, Copper, Graphite, Soapstone, Gypsum |
| Rivers | Yamuna, Ganga, Bhagirathi, Ramganga,Tons, Kali |
| Hill Satiations | Mussoorie, Nainital, Dhanaulti, Lansdowne, Pauri, Sattal, Almora, Kausani, Bhimtal, and Ranikhet |
| Mountains | Shiwalik Range, Great Himalaya, Garhwal Hills, Kumaon Hills |
| Passes | Thaga la, Tsang Chok La, Muling La, Mana Pass, Niti Pass |
| National Parks | Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Valley of Flowers National Park,Gangotri National Park,Nalanda Devi National Park,Govind Pashu Vihar |
| Religion in (As per Census 2011) | Hinduism (83.97%) Islam (12.94%) Sikhism (2.34%) Christianity (0.37%) Buddhism (0.14%) Jainism (0.09%) Other or not religious (0.1%) |