Arunachal Pradesh

Important Facts about Arunachal Pradesh

• Statehood:
  • Arunachal Pradesh was declared as a state on 20 February 1987.
  • Before India gained independence Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) region, a political division of British India.
  • On 20 January 1972, NEFA became the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Capital and largest town: Itanagar.
• Nicknames:
  • Arunachal Pradesh is known as the “orchid state of India” for its diverse range of orchids.
  • Referred to as the “dawn-lit mountain,” or “Land of Dawn-Lit Mountains“.
• International Borders:
  • Bhutan to the west (160 km),
  • Myanmar to the east (440 km), and
  • a disputed border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region (1,080 km) in the north (McMahon Line). The McMahon Line serves as the de facto border between China and the Northeast region of India, particularly the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Named after Sir Henry McMahon, the chief British negotiator of the Shimla Conference who proposed the line during the Shimla Accord of 1914. The Shimla Accord was a tripartite agreement between British India, Tibet, and China.
• Border with Other State: Borders with Indian states: Assam and Nagaland to the south.
• Population and Area Statistics (2011 Census):
  • Population: 1,383,727
  • Area: 83,743 km²
  • Least densely populated state in India with only 17 people per km².
• Predominant ethnic groups:
  • Monpa people in the western part of the state.
  • Tani people in the central part.
  • Mishmi and Tai people in the east.
  • Naga people in the southeast.
  • Approximately 26 major tribes and 100 sub-tribes, including Nocte, Adi, Nyshi, Singpho, Galo, Tagin, Apatani.

Geography

• Terrain: The terrain of Arunachal Pradesh is extremely diverse, ranging from snow-capped mountains in the northern regions to lush green valleys and dense forests in the southern parts.
• Eastern Himalayas:
  • The Himalayan Range upto the Siang River are classified as the Eastern Himalayas.
  • A large part of Arunachal Pradesh lies within the Eastern Himalayas.
  • The northern part of Arunachal Pradesh is dominated by the Great Himalayan Range, which forms the international border between India and Tibet.
  • This range includes peaks with elevations exceeding 7,000 meters such as Kangto (7,090 m), Nyegi Kangsang (7,047 m), and Gori Chen (6,530 m).
  • Kangto is the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Mishmi Hills: The mountains between the Siang and Noa Dihing rivers are classified as the Mishmi Hills.
• Patkai Range: The Patkai Range, also known as Patkai Bum, runs along the southeastern border of Arunachal Pradesh, separating it from Myanmar (Burma).
• Daphla Hills:
  • Located in the south-western part of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • They are part of the Himalayan mountain range but distinct from the higher peaks in the eastern and northern parts of the state.
  • The region is inhabited by the Daphla tribe.

Rivers

• Brahmaputra River (Siang):
  • The Brahmaputra, known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, is a major river of the state.
  • Originating from the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, the Siang River enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Tsangpo River and flows southwestward.
  • The Siang River meets the Lohit and Dibang rivers near the town of Sadiya in Assam to form the Brahmaputra River.
• Subansiri River:
  • A major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
  • The Subansiri River originates in Tibet.
  • It enters India near the town of Taksing in Upper Subansiri district.
  • It joins the Brahmaputra in Assam.
• Kameng River:
  • Also known as Kameng Chu, it is another significant tributary of the Brahmaputra.
  • The river flows through western Arunachal Pradesh.
• Lohit River:
  • The Lohit River originates in Tibet.
  • The river flows through the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh in a southward direction. Along its course, the Lohit River is joined by the Dibang River, the main tributaries of the Lohit.
  • The Lohit River merges with the Siang River in Assam to form the Brahmaputra River. The confluence takes place near the town of Sadiya.
• Dibang River:
  • Dibang River joins the Lohit River in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, forming a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

Mountain Passes

• Sela Pass:
  • Located at an elevation of about 4,170 meters above sea level.
  • Connects the Tawang district with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Bomdila Pass:
  • Connects Bomdila to Tawang.

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