Himachal Pradesh is called the ‘Apple State’ because the country’s first apples were cultivated here. It was also the first Indian state to process potatoes. Asia’s largest fruit-processing plant and the world’s highest cricket grounds are located at Parwanoo and Chail (near Shimla) in Himachal Pradesh.

Area : Around 55,673 km
Population : 60,70,305.
Main Languages : Hindi and Pahari (of various dialects).
Capital : Shimla

Location :
460 m to 6,600 m high in the western Himalayas Jammu and Kashmir, U.P., Haryana and Punjab border it on the north, south-east, south and west. It shares an international border with Tibet on the east.

Rivers :
Snow-fed, perennial rivers like the hydel power generation to the state.

Precipitation :
The state receives an average rainfall of 181.6 cm, the wettest being Dharmasala. The regions in the north experience bitter winters with heavy snowfall.

Other Hill Stations :
Dharmasala, a major centre of Tibetan culture, is at present home to the Dalai Lama. Narkanda, situated at a height of 2700 m, has the magnificent snow-clad Himalayan peak, the Kinner Kailash. Kulu on the bank of the Beas is famous for apple orchards. The picturesque Dalhousie, where stately deodars and oak trees grow, is a hill station that spreads over five hills at altitudes of 2039,. Tea gardens and pine forests abound in Palampur, located at a height of 1219 m. Bir and Billing, two of the best aerosport sites in the world, host the country’s only international hand-gliding festival. Kangra is famous for its miniature paintings.

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