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Nagaland
Capital  - Coordinates	Kohima  - 25.4° N 94.08° E
Largest city	Dimapur
Population (2001)  - Density	1,988,636 (24th)  - 120/km²
Area  - Districts	16,579 km² (25th)  - 11
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Establishment  - Governor  - Chief Minister  - Legislature (seats)	1963-12-01  - Kateekal Sankaranarayanan  - Neiphiu Rio  - Unicameral (60)
Official language(s)	English
Abbreviation (ISO)	IN-NL
Website: nagaland.nic.in
Seal of Nagaland

Nagaland pronunciation (help·info) is a vibrant hill state located in the far northeastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Myanmar to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur. With a population of nearly two million people, it has a total area of 16,579 km. - making it one of the smallest states of India.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography and climate 3 Culture and people 4 Religion 5 Administration 6 Urban Centres 6.1 Major cities and towns 6.2 Urban Agglomerations 7 Economy 7.1 Macro-economic trend 8 Transportation 8.1 Railways 8.2 Highways 9 Newspapers 10 External links 11 See also

The early history of Nagaland is the customs, economic activities of the Naga tribes. The Naga tribes had socio-economic and political links with tribes in Assam and Myanmar - even today a large population of Naga inhabits Assam. Following an invasion in 1816, the area along with Assam came under direct rule of Myanmar. This period was noted for the oppressive rule and turmoil in Assam and Nagaland. When the British East India Company took control of Assam in 1826, they steadily expanded their domain over modern Nagaland. By 1892, all of modern Nagaland except the Tuensang area in the northeast was governed by the British. It was politically amalgamated into Assam, which in turn was for long periods a part of the province of Bengal. The Christian missionaries played an important part in transforming Nagaland. Many Naga tribes embraced Christianity, in particular the Baptist faith.

After the independence of India in 1947, the area remained a part of the province of Assam. Nationalist activities arose amongst Naga tribes, who demanded a political union of their ancestral and nativegroups damaged government and civil infrastructure, and attacked government officials and Indians from other states. The Union government sent the Indian Army in 1955, to restore order. In 1957, the Government began diplomatic talks with representatives of Naga tribes, and the Naga Hills district of Assam and the Tuensang frontier were united in a single political entity that became a Union territory - directly administered by the Central government with a large degree of autonomy. This was not satisfactory to the tribes, however, and soon agitation and violence increased across the state - included attacks on Army and government institutions, as well as civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes. In July 1960, a further political accord was reached at the Naga People's Convention that Nagaland should become a constituent and self-governing state in the Indian union. Statehood was officially granted in 1963 and the first state-level democratic elections were held in 1964. Insurgencies were quelled in the early 1980s. Violence has re-erupted and there is an ongoing conflict between rebel groups factions ever since late 1990s.

Nagaland is largely a mountainous state. The Naga Hills rise from the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam to about 2,000 feet and rise further to the southeast, as high as 6,000 feet. Mount Saramati at an elevation of 12,552level is the state's highest peak - this is where the Naga Hills merge with the Patkai Range in Myanmar. Rivers such as the Doyang and Dhiku to the north, the Barak river in the southwest and the Chindwin river of Myanmar in the southeast, dissect the entire state.

Nagaland is rich in flora and fauna. About one-sixth of Nagaland is under the cover of tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests - including palms, bamboo and rattan as well as timber and mahogany forests. While some forest areas have been cleared for jhum - cultivation - many scrub forests, high grass, reeds and secondary dogs, pangolins, porcupines, elephants, leopards, bears, many species of monkeys, sambar, deers, oxen and buffaloes thrive across the state's forests. The Great Indian Hornbill is one of the most famous birds found in the state.

Nagaland has a largely monsoon climate with high humidity levels. Annual rainfall averages around 70-100 feet - concentrated in the months of May trange from 70 degrees to 104 degrees fahrenheit. In winter, temperatures don't generally drop below 39 degrees fahrenheit, but frost is common at high elevations.

The tribes of Nagaland are Angami, Ao, Chakhesang (Chokri/Kheza), Chang, Khiamniungan, Kuki, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Sangtam, Yimchungru, Zeliang of which the Angamis, Aos, Konyaks and Semas are the largest Naga tribes. Tribe and Clan traditions and loyalties plays an important part in the life of Nagas. Weaving is a traditional art handed down through generations in Nagaland. Each of the major tribes has its own unique designs and colors, producing shawls, shoulder bags, decorative spears, table mats, wood carvings and bamboo works. Tribal dances of the Nagas give an insight into the inborn reticence of the people. War dances and dances belonging to distinctive tribes are a major art form in Nagaland. Some of these are Moatsu, Sekrenyi, Tuluni and Tokhu Emong. More than 80% of the people live in rural areas. Nagas lack a common written language,except The Tenyidie Language and speak 60 different dialects belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. Small segments of the population converse in Assamese, while English, the official state language is widely spoken. Nagamese, a creole market language, is sometimes used. However, Nagamese is not a written language.

Christianity is the predominant religion of Nagaland. The census of 2001 recorded the state's Christian population at 1,790,349 (90.02% of the state's population), making it one of the three Christian-majority states in India, and the only state where Christians form 90% of the population. The state has a very high church attendance rate in both urban and rural areas. The largest of Asia's churches dominate the skylines of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung. Among Christians, Baptists are the predominant group constituting more than 80% of the state's population. In fact Nagaland is known as "The most Baptist state in the world." Catholics, Revivalists, and Pentecostals are the other Christian denomination numbers. Catholics are found in significant numbers in parts of Wokha district as also in the urban areas of Kohima and Dimapur. Hindus and Muslims constitute the non-Naga populations of the state and form 7.7% and 1.8% of the population. A small minority, less than 0.3% still practise the traditional religions and are mainly concentrated in Peren and the Eastern districts.

The Governor of Nagaland is the constitutional head of state, representative of the President of India. He possesses largely ceremonial responsibilities. A 60-member Vidhan Sabha is the state of ministers, led by a Chief minister - all elected members of legislature - forms the government executive. Unlike most Indian states, Nagaland has been granted a great degree of state autonomy, as well as special powers and autonomy for Naga tribes to conduct their own affairs. Each tribe has a hierarchy of councils - at the village, range and tribal levels dealing with local disputes. There is a special regional council for the Tuensang district, elected by the tribes of the area.

The state is divided into eleven districts. Mokokchung District is Nagaland's Most Advanced District.

Districts Dimapur District Kiphire District Kohima District Longleng District Mokokchung District Mon District Peren District Phek District Tuensang District Wokha District Zunheboto District

District Headquarters Chumukedima(Dimapur) Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto

Nagaland Map (Latest) [1]

• Dimapur
• Kohima
• Mokokchung
• Tuensang
• Wokha

There are three urban agglomeration areas in the state with Dimapur , Kohima and Mokokchung as the respective hubs.

• Dimapur-Chumukedima - 202,000
• Greater Kohima - 93,000
• Alichen-Mokokchung-DEF - 62,000

This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Nagaland at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.

Year	Gross State Domestic Product
1980	1,027
1985	2,730
1990	6,550
1995	18,140
2000	36,790

Nagaland's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $1.4 billion in current prices.

Agriculture is the most important economic activity in Nagaland, with more than 90% of the population employed crops include rice, corn, millets, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and fibres. However, Nagaland still depends on the import of food supplies from other states. The widespread practice of jhum - clearing for cultivation - has led to soil erosion and loss of fertility. Only the Angami and Chakesang tribes in the Kohima district use terracing and irrigation techniques. Forestry is also an important source of income. Cottage industries such as weaving, woodwork and pottery are also an important source of revenue. Tourism is important, but largely limited owing to the state's geographic isolation and political instability in recent years.

The rail lines net work in the state is only nominal. The length of Broad gauge lines is 7.63 Km and Meter Gauge lines is 5.22 Km only. The length of National Highway of roads is 365.38 and state roads is 1094 Km. The only Airport in the state is Dimapur.

Railway : North East Frontier Railway

• Broad Gauge-7.63 km
• Metre Gauge-5.22 km
• Total-12.85km

[Data Source: N. F. Railway, CME Office, Guwahati-781011]

National Highways with the towns Served:

National Highway : Length:(in KM) 365.38

• NH-61 - Kohima, Wokha, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Changtongya, Tuli
• NH-39 - Kohima, Dimapur, Chumukedima, Medziphema
• NH-36 - Dimapur

State Highways

Length (In KM): 1094.60

• Chakabama-Mokokchung Via Chazuba and Zunheboto
• Kohima-Meluri
• Mokokchung-Mariani
• Mokokchung-Tuensang
• Namtola-Mon
• Tuensang-Mon-Naginimora
• Tuensang-Kiphiri-Meluri
• Wokha-Merapani Road

[Source: Office Of The Chief Engineer, P.W.D., Kohima, Nagaland]

Airways

• Name of the Air Port-Dimapur
• Distance from the State Capital (in KM)- 70.0
• Town Nearest to the Airport-Dimapur
• Runway Length (In Feet)-7298
• Type of Plans Handles- B-737,IL76, All Type Of Helicopters, Fokker
• Infrastructure Available-Terminal Building, Fire Service, Airport Communication Service, Air *Traffic Control Services Available
• Maintenance Facilities-All Sorts Of Maintenance Of Airport Other Than Aircraft
• Maintenance Available-

Cargo Handling Facilities Available With Indian Airlines City Office Excise/ Custom Clearance Facilities Not Available

Air Passenger and Goods Information

Year-1998

• Nos of Passenger(In '000 Nos)-10.0
• Goods Handled-(In Ton) 6.5

[2]

1. Nagaland Post - http://www.nagalandpost.com
2. The North East Herald - http://thenortheastherald.com/
3. Nagaland Page
4. The Eastern Mirror
5. The Morung Express - http://www.morungexpress.com ,
6. Tir Yimyim (in the vernacular Ao language)- http://www.tiryimyim.com .
7. Ao Milen (in the vernacular Ao language}.
8. Capi (in the vernacular Tenyidie language).
9. Tenyi Ralha (in the vernacular Tenyidie language).

• http://www.nagarealm.com/ Destination Naga's, People Of Nagaland
• http://www.nagalandonline.com/ Destination Naga's, People Of Nagaland
• http://www.kuknalim.com/ Most visited site
• http://nagaland.nic.in/ - Govt. Of Nagaland Official website
• http://www.nagalandpost.com/ - The First News Daily of the state
• http://www.morungexpress.com/ - A Daily Publication of Morung for Indigenous Affairs & JustPeace
• http://www.nagafairyusa.com - Nagas online portal "Making dreams come true"
• http://www.akasworld.com - A web portal to the Nagas of Nagaland.
• http://nscnonline.org/
• http://www.nagalim.nl/
• http://www.hornbillmusic.com/ - Music Task Force (Dept. of youth resource and sports)
• http://www.nagamusic.org/
• http://thenortheastherald.com/
• http://cniceonline.com/index.php - Naga Indigenous Cultural Exchange
• http://cfnice.org/ - Naga Indigenous Cultural Exchange
• http://www.naga-wedding.tk/
• http://nagaforest.nic.in/ - Department of Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife
• Nagaland travel guide from Wikitravel

• Northeast Indian Railways during World War II
• Battle of the Tennis Court
• Indian XXXIII Corps
• Battle of Kohima
• Mukti Bahini
• Nagaland's Most Advanced District
• Some areas require a special permit for non-indians to visit.