Meghalaya

"Meghalaya is a hilly state in north-eastern India. The name means ""the abode of clouds"" in Sanskrit. Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometres, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. During the British rule of India, the British imperial authorities nicknamed it the ""Scotland of the East"". The state is the wettest region of India, recording an average of 12,000 mm (470 in) of rain a year. About 70% of the state is forested. The forests are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants.

Meghalaya has predominantly an agrarian economy with a significant commercial forestry industry. The important crops are potatoes, rice, maize, pineapples, bananas, papayas, spices, etc. The service sector is made up of real estate and insurance companies.

Meghalaya's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at ₹16,173 crore (US$2.3 billion) in current prices. The state is geologically rich in minerals, but it has no significant industries. The state has about 1,170 km (730 mi) of national highways. It is also a major logistical center for trade with Bangladesh. Tribal people make up the majority of Meghalaya's population. The Khasis are the largest group, followed by the Garos, Jaintias, Hajongs, Biates, Koches and related Rajbongshis Boros, Dimasa, Kuki, Lakhar, Tiwa (Lalung), Karbi, Rabha and Nepali.

The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be 3,211,474. Meghalaya recorded the highest decennial population growth of 27.82% among all the seven north-eastern states,