Himachal Pradesh: General Information
Himachal Pradesh (HP), a landlocked state in the northern India, shares boundary with Tibet in east, Punjab in west, Jammu & Kashmir in north and Haryana and Uttarakhand in south. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, HP is endowed with beautiful valleys, serene high-altitude meadows, craggy skyline fringed with snow at many places, perennial rivers dotted with frothy rapids of different grades, orchards, charming lakes, lofty peaks, hamlets and majestic temples reflecting strong faith in almighty. At first glance, attractions may appear to be a few but they unfold numerous opportunities for a wide range of activities, from a simple stroll to strenuous mountaineering expeditions.
Hospitable folks, especially in remote and high reaches of the mountain, live in harmony with nature without experimenting much with her, unlike their urban counterparts. But modern high-tech gizmos such as mobile phones and television dishes are not uncommon. On the contrary, in many parts of the state, narrow and poor roads limit physical accessibility whereas slim mud tracks thwart mechanical travel. But beauty- and adventure-seekers will not regret the effort and pain involved in visiting some of the placid destinations spread across the state.
The Dhauladhar Range (4,550m), Pir Panjal Range (4,600m) and Greater Himalaya Range (5,000 – 6,000 m) snake through the state bordered by the Shiwalik Range (approximately 600 m) in the south and the Zanskar Range (> 7,000m) in the north east. The wide altitudinal variation that increases from south to north and east to west creates diverse climatic conditions ranging from sub-humid hot tropical to glacial suitable for different tourist activities. The year is divided into 3 well-defined seasons: hot (March-June), rainy (July-September) and cold (October-February). However, short and pleasant spring (Mid-February – March) and autumn (late September – October) seasons also occur.
There are no international airports but the state has three domestic airports: Gaggal Airport, Kullu-Manali Airport and Shimla Airport.
The Indian Railways operate a broad gauge line-Delhi to Una; and two narrow gauge rail lines- Kalka to Shimla and Pathankot to Jogindernagar.
Roads are the most popular means of accessibility. All major north Indian cities are connected to the state capital Shimla via a network of national-highway and state-highway roads.
2010
