SIKKIM STATE INFO.

Sikkim, situated in the eastern Himalayas from longitude 880 03'40" to 880 57'19" East and from latitude 27 003'47" to 28 0 07'34" North, became the 22nd state of India on April 26,1975. It has a total area of 7,096 km2, 114 km from north to south and 64 km from east to west. The entire state is mountainous, with altitudes ranging from 300 to 8,586 meters from sea level.

There are 440 villages, eight towns and four districts in Sikkim. The state has three major ethnic groups, namely Lepchas ,Bhutias and Nepalis The climate of the state varies from cold temperate and alpine in northeast to subtropical in the south. Agro-climatically, the state is divided into four zones, viz.,

* Subtropical zone (below 1,000 metres);
* Humid zone (1,000-1,600 metres);
* Mid-hill dry zone (again in altitude ranging from 1,000-1,600 meters); and
* High hill temperate zone (with an altitude of above 1,600 meters).

The genetic diversity, of both forest vegetation and agricultural crops, is enormous. The state has about 600 plant species and more than 4,000 species of flowering plants.

Sikkim Tourism :- Gangtok - Visit Rumtek Monastery ,Government Institute of Cottage Industries,Institute of Tibetology. Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery,Tashi View Point, Lal Bazaar, Deer Park, and Tsuklakhang (The Palace Monastery.

Pemayangtse :- Tashiding Monastery,Rabdentse ,Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksam
One can also tour Yumthan situated in North Sikkim.