What are the Key Facts of Nagaland?

Map of Nagaland
Map of Nagaland which lies in the northeastern part of India
Map of Nagaland
Map of Nagaland which lies in the northeastern part of India

Where is Nagaland?

A landlocked state in the northeastern country, Nagaland is one of the smaller states in India. The capital city of the state is Kohima, which is in the southern part of the state. Dimapur is the largest city in Nagaland. The state spreads over an area of 16,579 sq. kilometers (6,401 sq. mi) and has a population of 1,980,602 as per 2011 census of India.

Nagaland became the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963 and has experienced insurgency and inter-ethnic conflict since the 1950s. The conflict here has affected the economic development of the state. The state is mostly alpine, and the areas that border Assam valley accounts for 9% of the total land area. Mount Saramati is the highest peak with a height of 3,840 m, which is also one of the ultra-prominent peaks of Southeast Asia.

What is the Geography of Nagaland?

Nagaland shares its borders with Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, Manipur to the south, Assam to the west and northwest, and Myanmar (Burma) to the east. As the state is mountainous, Naga Hills in the north rise from the Brahmaputra valley with an elevation of 2,000 feet (610 meters), and the height increases in toward the southeast to more than 6,000 feet (1,830 meters).

Further, the mountains blend with the Patkai Range, which is a part of the Arakan system along the Myanmar border, which touches the maximum height of 12,552 feet (3,826 meters) at Mount Saramati. The rivers that cut up the state are the Doyang and Dikhu in the north, the Barak in the southwest, and the tributaries of Chindwin River (Myanmar) in the southeast.

What is the Climate of Nagaland?

The climate of Nagaland is monsoonal, wet to dry. The state receives an average annual rainfall between 70 and 100 inches (1800 and 2500 mm). Further, the rain is vigorous from May to September, southwest monsoon. In the summer, the average temperature ranges from 21 – 23 ° C to 38 – 40 ° C to low. While in winters, the temperature drops to even 4° C. Frost is prevalent in higher elevations. The humidity level is also high here throughout the state. Also, winter often arrives early here.

About one-sixth of Nagaland is covered in forest with both tropical and subtropical evergreen forests like palms, rattan, bamboo as well as timber. The coniferous forest can also be found but in higher elevations. Faunas’ of this region are namely tigers, elephants, leopards, bears, several kinds of monkeys, deer, sambar, buffalo, wild oxen, rhinoceros, porcupines, pangolins, wild dogs, foxes, civet cats. Also, Indian hornbills are used for traditional ceremonies in the state.

What is the Economy of Nagaland?

About nine-tenth of the population of the state is involved in agriculture. Some of the principal produce here are rice, corn (maize), small millets, pulses (legumes), oilseeds, fibers, sugarcane, potato, and tobacco. However, the state largely depends on imports of food from neighbouring states. Jhum or shifting cultivation is used for the cultivation of grass, reeds, scrub jungle, causes soil erosion and loss of soil fertility here. This type of fertility is used in most of the states except Angamis and Chakhesangs of the southern part of Kohima, which uses terracing and irrigation techniques.

Apart from agriculture, forestry is another primary source of income and employment here. Low-grade coal deposits are also mined here, such as nickel, chromium, cobalt, iron ore, and limestone. Power generation relies on diesel plants here. Though, more than half of Nagaland’s power is generated in Assam state. In manufacturing, only cottage industries exist in the state, such as weaving, woodwork, pottery, and basketry. The state’s leading enterprises, such as sugar mills and distilleries, are situated in Dimapur.

What is the Transportation System of Nagaland?

Due to the mountainous landscape, infrastructural development is challenging here. The national highway stretches from Dimapur to Kohima and then on to Imphal in Manipur. Some of the national highways are NH2: Dibrugarh Tuli – Changtongya – Mokokchung – Wokha – Tseminyu – Kohima – Viswema – Imphal, NH 29, NH 129, NH 129 A, NH 202, NH 702, NH 702 B. Two international highways passing through Nagaland are AH 1 (Asian Highway 1), AH 2 (Asian Highway 2). Air service is also available from Dimapur to Guwahati in Assam and Kolkata in West Bengal.

What are the Popular Tourist Attractions in Nagaland?

Some of the popular tourist attractions in this state are Kohima War Cemetery, Kachari ruins, Ntangki National Park, Naga Heritage Village, Shilloi Lake, Nagaland State Museum, Triple Falls, Puliebabze, Mon, Wokha, Khonoma Green Village, Benreu, Meluri, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Zunheboto, Phek, Dzukou Valley, Touphema Village, Pfutsero, Japfu Peak, Chumukedima Village to name a few.

Related Maps:

Map of India Depicting Location of Nagaland
Location of Nagaland
Nagaland District Map
Nagaland District Map