Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India between Punjab to the south and Tibet to the north. The landscape ranges from valleys through forests to glaciers with elevations between 450 and 6500 meters (1476 and 21325 feet).

The region consisted of several small princely states until India's independence in 1947. It became a full state in 1971 after being administered as a union territory before that.

Gaddi shepherds, Kinnauri farmers and Lahauli traders wear their traditional clothing and celebrate their festivals while carrying out daily work. Visitors notice that many communities still practice old craft techniques and maintain their spoken dialects.

The three main rivers Sutlej, Beas and Chenab cross the region and provide water for agriculture and power generation. Visitors should prepare for changing temperatures and weather conditions depending on elevation.

The Great Himalayan National Park shelters snow leopards, Himalayan brown bears and musk deer in their natural habitat. This protected area includes 375 animal species and is an important refuge for rare species.

Location: India

Inception: 1971

Capital city: Shimla

Elevation above the sea: 2,319 m

Shares border with: Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Tibet Autonomous Region, Uttar Pradesh

Website: http://himachal.nic.in

GPS coordinates: 31.10333,77.17222

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:56