Geography of Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh (Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains) is situated in the North-Eastern part of India with 83743 sq. kms area and has a long international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the north and north-east (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the east (440 km).

It stretches from snow-capped mountains in the north to the plains of Brahmaputra valley in the south. Arunachal is the largest state area-wise in the north-east region, even larger than Assam which is the most populous. It is situated between latitude 26° 30' N and 29° 30 ' N and longitude 91° 30' E and 97° 30' E.

Its main river are Siang, Kameng, Subansiri, Kamla, Siyum, Dibang, Lohit, Noa - Dihing, Kamlang, Tirap and important festivals are Mopin, Solung, Nyokum, Lossar, Si-Donyi, Boori-boot, Dree, Reh, Sipong Yong, Chalo-loku, Kshyatsowai, Tamladu, Sarok, Nichido, Sangken, Mopin, Oriah etc.

Bordered by China on the north, Myanmar on the east, Assam on the south, and Bhutan on the west, Arunachal Pradesh is a meagerly populated state in the mountains of India's far northeast. Considering the state's location relative to the Himalayas, it is not surprising that Arunachal Pradesh's terrain is full of deep valleys rising to steep mountains. Carving into this majestic terrain are the state's major river the Brahmaputra (or the Siang) and its tributaries.

The population of Arunachal Pradesh is 1,097968 according to 2001 census and is scattered over 12 towns and 3862 villages. The State has the lowest density of 13 persons per sq. km.

As against decadal growth rate of 21.54% at the national level, the population of the State has grown by 27% over the period 1991-2001. The sex ratio of Arunachal Pradesh at 893 females to 1000 males is lower than the national average of 933. Total literacy of the State rose to 44.24% from 41.59% in 1991. There are 20 major tribes and a number of sub-tribes inhabiting the area.