5 Major Cities Of Meghalaya State
- Meghalaya’s state capital is Shillong and its most important city also known as “Scotland Of The East”
- After Shillong, Cherrapunji is another important city of Meghalaya which is widely known as “The Wettest Place On Earth”
Meghalaya, on 21 January 1972 this state was carved out of Assam by two districts. During British rule this state’s capital city Shillong got a nickname “The Scotland Of East”. In major cities of Meghalaya, Shillong sits at top. Many rivers pass through this state and it records highest rainfall than any other state in India. Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills are important regions of Meghalaya.
Nokrek Peak with an altitude of 1515 m is the highest peak of Garo Hills. Shillong is the State capital of Meghalaya and it is a major city in the state. There are many other major cities in Meghalaya. Here we’ll take a look at 5 of them:
Shillong
Shillong is the state capital of Meghalaya and its population is around 2 lakhs. When Britishers were ruling India rolling hills around the city reminded them of Scotland. So during British rule Shillong got a nickname “The Scotland Of East”. Weather of this city is very pleasant and it is one of the few pollution free states in India. Christianity is a dominant religion in this city.
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Shillong Golf Course is one of the oldest Golf Course in India. Major tourist destination here includes Elephant Falls, Umiam Lake, Ward’s Lake and Shillong peak. Shillong is a hill station and this city is a beautiful abode of nature. In the list of major cities of Meghalaya, Shillong is the most important city.
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji is second major city of Meghalaya. Mawsynram is here which is known as “Wettest Place On Earth”. This is because Cherrapunji receives highest rainfall annually. Sohra also held the record of highest rainfall in the past. Sohra has its name in Guinness Book Of World Records for highest rainfall in August 1860 and July 1861. This city has a population of around 11,000 people as per 2011 census. The locals living here are known as Khasis.
The society of Sohra is female driven. Kids here adds surname of their mother. After marriage, the husband of youngest daughter stays with the family. Sohra people are famous for their living bridges. People here have developed a technique for growing roots of trees into a large and strong bridges which take 10 to 15 years. Some of the oldest living bridges here are more than 500 years old. One can easily see Bangladesh plains from here and this city is home to Nohkalikai falls.
Tura
Tura was previously known as Dura. The capital city Shillong is 323 km away from it. Garo tribes here resides the most. Border of Bangladesh is just 50 km away from Tura. According to 2011 census Tura population is less than 75,000.
Garo tribes here marks up 73% of population. Christianity is the dominant religion here. To visit Nokrek peak one should have to pass through this city.
Nongpoh
Nongpoh is yet another major city of Meghalaya. It is just 52 km away from the state capital Shillong. Ri-Bhoi district of Nongpoh is known for the extensive production of pineapples, bananas, papayas and litchi. According to 2011 census Nongpoh population is around 18,000.
Nongstoin
Nongstoin is 5th most important city of Meghalaya. Langshiang Falls is here at a distance of 24 kilometer from the city. In 2001 Census, Nongstoin population was around 22,000. Christianity here is followed by more than 98% population.
So These Were 5 Major Cities Of Meghalaya.
