Area - 7,096 sq. kms
Density - 76 per./sq.km.
Sub Divisions - 9
Temperature - Summer - Max 21° C, Min 13° C
Winter - Heavy Woolens
Annual Rainfall - 3,894 mm
Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, bounded by some of the highest
mountain peaks, amidst spectacular terrain, pristine lakes, luxuriant
forests, roaring rivers and gentle streams, Sikkim is an absolute
paradise and a destination for all seasons.
Visitors can spend days in splendid isolation in many places at short
distances from the main hubs of Gangtok, Namchi, Mangan, and Gyalshing.
Neat and comfortable accommodations exist to suit every taste and
budget. The attractive cultural patterns of the Sikkimese Lepchas,
Bhutias, and the Nepalese are well projected in several festivals
organized at district and sub-divisional headquarters.
The gourmet can taste a variety of cuisine. The flora and fauna of the
state is a treat for the nature lovers. Sikkim also offers a voyage of
adventure and discovery if one wishes to undertake trekking, boating,
rafting, mountaineering and/or mountain biking.
Pristine purity, a wide biodiversity, unique culture and natural
landscape are some of the synonyms to the smallest though most beautiful
state of India. Cradled in the Himalayas, Sikkim has been famed for
being a repository of exceptional natural resources. Spread over a lush
area of 7,300 sq kms, the state lies just below the third highest
mountain in the world, Mount Khanchendzonga. The elevation of the state
ranges from 300 mts to over 8540 mts above sea level.
The tourists thronging Sikkim consider the place to be a magical
destination, the charm of which is exuded by its magnificent mountain
peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers and sky high hills. This
strategically important state of the Union Territory is bordered by
three foreign nations with West Bengal sharing its boundary with Sikkim.
Leading from the western border of the Tibetan plateau down to the
plains of West Bengal, with a fall of about 5,215 metres in 240 kms,
Sikkim appears like a surprising stairway. The Teesta River flowing
through the state acts as a lifeline of the state. Complimented by over
180 perennial lakes, Sikkim remains a bountiful state.
Revered by the locals as their Guarding Deity, Mount Khangchendzonga or
Kanchenjunga also plays an important role in the state as its benevolent
watchfulness ensures peace and prosperity for the land. The five peaks
of Khangchendzonga, crowned by an animal, are the five Treasures of the
Eternal Snow.
The state is known to be very rich in natural beauty and resources. The
rich cultural heritage and amiable people of the state make it a most
sought after tourist destination of India.
