Interesting Facts about Arunachal Pradesh

This article is all about historical, geographical, social, religious, cultural, amazing, rare, unknown interesting facts about Arunachal Pradesh.

Quick Basic Facts about Arunachal Pradesh

Capital : Itanagar
Official Language – English
Main spoken Languages – Nishi, Apatani, Adi, Bengali, Monpa, Assamese, Dafia, Miji, Wancho, Tagin
Area – 83, 743 sq km
Area Rank – 15th
Population – 13,82,611
Population Rank – 27th (as per 2011 census)
Population Density – 17/sq km
Sex Ratio – 920 females per 1000 male
Literacy – 66.95 %
No. of Districts – 16
Assembly Seats – 60 (Unicameral)
Rajya Sabha Seat – 1
Lok Sabha Seats – 2
Established – 20 Feb 1987
First Chief Minister – Prem Khandu Thungam
First Governor – Bhishma Narain Singh
Highest Peak – Kangto, altitude 7090 mt

The earlier name of Arunachal Pradesh during British period was North East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
During the Simla Accord of 1913-14 between chinese representatives, Tibet and Britain, McMahon line was taken as the boundary between British India and outer Tibet. Tibet accepted this treaty and ceded Tawang to British India, but China didn’t accepted this treaty as they consider Tibet as part of China. To this date China claims to the regions of Arunachal Pradesh including Tawang.
During the Sino India war of 1962, China occupied major regions of the state including Tawang but returned back to the McMahon line after ceasefire in 1963.
Arunachal Pradesh was placed under the administration of Central Government in 1948. It was initially declared a Union Territory on 20 Jan 1972.
Arunachal Pradesh became a full fledged State on 20 Feb 1987.

Arunachal Pradesh shares international border with Bhutan in west, China in north and Myanmar in east. Length of international border of Arunachal Pradesh is 1817 Km which is third longest of Indian states lying on international borders.
The literal meaning of the name of state is “Land of Dawn-lit Mountains”. It is also called Orchid state of India or Paradise of the Botanist.
Arunachal Pradesh shares its borders with two states Assam and Nagaland both in south.
Geographically it is the largest of all Seven Sister States of North East.
Highest peak of the state is Kangto which is shared with Tibbat. The altitude of this peak is 7090 m. This lies on Eastern Himalayan range.

Economy of the state is poor and in terms of GDP, Arunachal Pradesh ranks at third last position among all Indian States. (as per year 2014 GDP data).
Traditional method of agriculture is Jhum ( a sort of shifting cultivation).
Agriculture is the primary driver of economy of state.
Main agricultural products – rice, maize, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, ginger and oilseeds.
Cash crops like potatoes are cultivated largely.
Horticulture Crops like apple, oranges, pineapple are getting good promotion.
Main Industries of Arunachal Pradesh – sawmills, plywood, rice mills, fruit preservation, handlooms and handicraft.
Mineral Resources of Arunachal Pradesh – Coal (Namchik-Namphuk coal fields), dolomite, marble, lead, zinc and graphite

Literacy rate of Arunachal Pradesh is 66.95 % which is quite below India’s average literacy rate of 74.04 % (2011 census). Arunachal Pradesh stands at 3rd last rank (26th) among Indian states in terms of literacy.
This state is one of the linguistically richest and most diverse regions of Asia with more than 30 languages in practice.
Arunachal Pradesh is the Indian state with lowest population density of only 17 /Sq Km.
Arunachal Pradesh has second largest decadal population growth rate of 25.9% (first is Meghalaya with 27.8%)
Culture of the state is a blend of 26 different tribes and many more sub tribes
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the two states of India in which English alone is the official language. The other Indian state where English alone is the official language is Nagaland. English along with other regional languages is official language of Assam, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal

Tawang is the one of the most popular tourist destination of not only Arunachal Pradesh but whole North East India.
Tawang also boasts of India’s largest Buddhist Monastery – Tawang Monastery. In Tibetan language this is known as Galden Namgey Lhatse. This monastery is largest in India and second largest in world just after Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet.
Parashuram Kund : Lohit River
Parashuram Kund is the famous Hindu pilgrimage attraction in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located in Brahmaputra river valley along the tributary Lohit river. Thousands of devotees, sages from nearby states and Nepal come here to take holy dip especially during Makar Sankranti festival.
Main folk dances of the state are – Popir, Aji Lama, Hiri Khaning, Cham, War dance.
Main festivals of the state are – Mopin, Solung, Lossar, Boori-boot, Sherdukpens, Dree, Reh and Nyokum

Kiren Rijiju – is the young dynamic politician from BJP. He is Home minister of state level in the present Modi government.
Tapir Gao – is the Member of Parliament in present Modi government who belong to Arunachal Pradesh.
Gegong Apang – was the famous politician (later joined BJP) and earlier served twice as the Chief Minister of Arunchal Pradesh first from 1980 to 1999 and then from 2003 to 2007.
Dorjee Khandu – is the former Chief Minister (2007 to 2011) of Arunachal Pradesh who belongs to Congress party. He succumbed in helicopter accident in 2011.
Mukut Mithi – is presently serving as member of parliament (Rajya Sabha). He worked as former CM of Arunachal Pradesh from 1999 to 2003.
Mrinal Miri – is the poplar philosopher who graduated from University of Cambridge.