East Khasi Hills

East Khasi Hills is located in the central region of Meghalaya. Its total area is 2,748 square kms. It is situated between 91°21" and 92°09" E longitudes and 25°07" and 25°41" N latitudes.

The East Khasi Hills District is primarily a hilly region and has ravines and deep gorges in its southern part. The major physiographic feature of East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya is the Shillong Plateau. The Shillong peak, located at a distance of 10 kms from Shillong is the highest point of East Khasi Hills as well as entire Meghalaya.

The northern part of East Khasi Hills is bordered by the Ri-Bhoi district plain, which meets in the elevated Shillong plateau grasslands. This plateau is interspersed with river valleys. The southern part consists of ravines and deep gorges in Shella-Bholaganj and Mawsynram, which border Bangladesh. The district is surrounded by the West Khasi Hills District on the west and the Jaintia Hills District on the east.

The district headquarter is Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Shillong is linked with Silchar (240 kms) and Guwahati (103 kms) via National Highway 44. The airport and rail head closest to East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya are located in Guwahati. An airstrip at Umroi, which is at a distance of 35 kms from Shillong, is fit for small flights. The agricultural and other products are transported by trucks, jeeps and tractors. The capital city of Shillong is linked with other major parts of Meghalaya by good road. The Meghalaya block headquarters are also linked by roadways.

The majority of the people of East Khasi Hills at Meghalaya are Khasis. Some minority groups like the Garos are found in the regions at the southern border.