Interesting Facts about Himachal Pradesh

This article is all about historical, geographical, social, religious, cultural, amazing, rare, unknown interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh. The acronym by which Himachal Pradesh is commonly know is H.P. or HP.

Quick Basic Facts about Himachal Pradesh (H.P.)

• Capital – Shimla
• Official Language – Hindi
• Main Spoken Languages – Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi and Kinnauri
• Area – 55,673 Sq Km
• Area Rank – 17th
• Population – 68,56,509 (as per 2011 census)
• Population Rank – 20th
• Population Density – 123/Sq Km
• Sex Ratio – 972 females per 1000 male
• Literacy Rate – 88.78 %
• No. of Districts – 12
• Assembly seats – 68 (Unicameral)
• Lok Sabha seats – 4
• Rajya Sabha seats – 3
• Created on – 25 Jan 1971
• First Chief Minister – Yashwant Singh Parmar
• First Governor – Sh. S. Chakravarti
• Highest Peak – Reo Purgyil

State Symbols of Himachal Pradesh (H.P.)

• State Tree – Deodar (Cedrus Deodara)
• State Flower – Burans (Rhododendron)
• State Animal – Snow Leopard
• State Bird – Jujurana

Historical Facts about Himachal Pradesh (HP)

• After the Anglo Gorkha war from 1814 to 1816 between Nepal and Britain, Himachal Pradesh came into British colony.
• Himachal Pradesh was originally formed as Union Territory on 15 April, 1948. It was recognized as state on 25 Jan, 1971.

Geographical Facts about Himachal Pradesh (HP)

• Himachal Pradesh shares its borders with 5 other Indian states – Jammu & Kashmir in north,  Punjab in west, Haryana in southwest, and Uttarakhand in southeast. A small portion of Himachal Pradesh border also touches Uttar Pradesh.
• HP shares international border with China. Length of international border with China is 345 Km.
• The literal meaning of Himachal pradesh is abode of ice.
• It is watered by a number of rivers namely – Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna.
• The state is mostly covered with mountains with altitude ranging from 460m to 6600m.
• Reo Purgyil is the highest peak of Himachal Pradesh with an altitude of 6,816 m.
• Main Towns of Himachal Pradesh are – Baddi, Chamba, Dharmshala, Kullu, Mandi, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shimla, Solan and Sundarnagar.
• Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is largest by area. Kangra district is largest by population.
• Rohtang Pass is an important pass of the state which connects Kullu Valley to Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It is mostly closed in winter season from Dec to April. It is located on Pir Panjal range of Himalayas.

• Kalka to Shimla toy train which is known for narrow gauge track is UNESCO World Heritage site. Travelling by this train one can see lots of greenery, hills, valleys and tunnels.
• There are two important National Parks in Himachal Pradesh – i) Great Himalayan National Park of Kullu and ii) Pin Valley National Park

Social and Cultural Facts about Himachal Pradesh

• Literacy rate of Himachal Pradesh is 88.78 % which is well above India’s average literacy rate of 74.04 %. HP is 5th most literate state of India.
• Himachal Pradesh is ranked fourth (2011 census) in Highest per capita income among other Indian States
• The economy of state is driven by three resources – Hydro-electricity, Tourism and Agriculture.
• Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharmshala, Kullu, Kasauli, Solan, chail and Kufri are some famous hill stations.
• “Kharjiar” in Chamba district has earned the name mini Switzerland because of striking similarities.
• Population is divided into 5 major groups – Gaddis, Kinners, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.
• Nati is the main folk dance of Himachal Pradesh.
• Dussehra of Kullu is very famous international festival. It starts on Vijaydashmi and goes on for 7 days. It attracts thousands of tourists from all over world.

• Hidimba Devi Temple of Manali is a famous religious spot. It is dedicated to Hidimba (wife of Bhima) from the ancient epic of Mahabharat. The temple is built on an enormous rock structure protruding out from ground. The temple is surrounded by lush evergreen cedar (deodar) forests.

• Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) is the old glorious official residence of British Viceroy at the time when Shimla used to be the Summer capital of India.

Economic Facts about Himachal Pradesh

• Mineral Resources of Himachal Pradesh – Rock Salt, slate, gypsum, limestone, barytes, dolomite, pyrites
• Industries of Himachal Pradesh – IT, Bio-technology, brewery, fruit processing, cement, electronics
• Agricultural Products of Himachal Pradesh – Wheat, maize, rice, barley, vegetables, potato, ginger, soyabeen, oilseed, pulses, Fruits – Aapple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, Mango, Litchi, Guava, Strawberry
• Due to production of so many varieties of fruits Himachal Pradesh is also called Fruit Bowl of India. Among all fruits Apple production adds maximum towards economy. Alone fruit production adds 3 billion annual turnover to the state’s economy.
• Abundance of Mountain rivers enables the state to produce hydro-electricity which is supplied to nearby states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
• Sirmaur has developed its reputation as biggest Flower producing district of Himachal Pradesh
• 71 % population is engaged in agriculture.
• Himachal Pradesh has immense hydro-electric power potential in its 5 river basins- Chenab, Rabi, Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna. It accounts for roughly 25 % of India’s total hydro-power potential.
• Handi-crafts of Himachal Pradesh which includes Pashmina Shawls, carpets, wooden decorative items, utensils and other day to day use items are internationally famous.

Famous Persons from Himachal Pradesh

• The Great Khali – the famous professional wrestler whose actual name is Dalip Singh Rana was born in Dhiraina of Himachal Pradesh.
• Anupam Kher – popular Bollywood actor whose has done numerous hindi films was born in Shimla.
• Preity Zinta – the famous bollywood actress was born in Shimla.
• Kangana Ranaut – the famous hindi films actress who has bagged many national film awards was born in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Major Som Nath Sharma – the first recipient of Param Veer Chakra award was born in Kangra of Himachal.
• Vikram Batra – the hero of Kargil War who served as Captain in Indian Army  was born in Palampur of Himachal.
• Shyam Saran Negi – holds the unique record of being the first person of India to cast his vote during first general elections of year 1951. He was born in Kalpa of Himachal.