Himachal Pradesh
"Land of the Snowy Mountains"
| At A Glance: Himachal Pradesh | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 22,000 sq. mi. |
| Capital city: | Shimla |
| Population: | 7.0 million |
| People groups: | 358 |
| Religions: |
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| Illiteracy rate: | 24% |
| 10% are below the poverty line | |
Geography and Climate
Dubbed the “Land of the Snowy Mountains,” Himachal Pradesh is an oasis of mountain peaks, valleys, springs and streams. Khajjiar, a lush hill station surrounded by forests, is known as a “mini Switzerland” for its similar landscape.
The mountains in Himachal Pradesh are beautiful but make travel tedious, and people must hike up rugged, dangerous terrain—sometimes for days—to reach tucked-away villages.
Temperatures drop very low during the winter months, and people have to brave the cold and in many cases even climb steep mountains to get around.
The People
Hailed as the “apple state of India,” Himachal Pradesh is famous for its orchards, so it’s not surprising that about 70 percent of its people are involved in agriculture. They also grow ginger, potatoes, wheat, corn, rice, mushrooms, olives and figs.
Traditionally, the people there have a love for singing and dancing. The Nati is a popular folk dance used both to celebrate the harvest and usher in the new year.
The state is also home to nomadic shepherds, who travel from place to place with their goats and sheep. Wool is produced from these animals.