![]() |
The state capital is Jaipur. Geographical features include the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan and the termination of the Ghaggar River. One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, and its world famous Dilwara Temples. Eastern Rajasthan has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska, as well as Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, famous for its bird life.
GeographyThe main geographic feature of Rajasthan is the Aravalli Range, which
runs through the state from southwest to northeast, almost from one end to
another end.
Mount
Abu is at the southwestern end of the range, although a series of
broken ridges continues into
Haryana
in the direction of
Delhi. About
three-fifths of Rajasthan lies northwest of the Aravallis, leaving
two-fifths on the east and south. The northwestern portion of Rajasthan is generally sandy and dry, and
most of the region is covered by the
Thar
Desert, which extends into adjoining portions of Pakistan. The Aravalli
Ranges intercept the moisture-giving southwest
monsoon
winds off the Arabian Sea, leaving the northwestern region in a
rain
shadow. The Thar Desert is thinly populated, and the town of
Bikaner
is the largest city in the desert. The
Northwestern thorn scrub forests lie in a band around the Thar Desert,
between the desert and the Aravallis. This region receives less than 750 mm
of rain in an average year, and summer temperatures can exceed 45� C in the
summer months, and drop below freezing in the winter. The
Godwar,
Marwar,
and
Shekhawati
regions lie in the thorn scrub forest zone, along with the city of
Jodhpur.
The
Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of Godwar and
Marwar Regions, draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying
southwest into the great
Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring
Gujarat.
The
Ghaggar River, which originates in
Haryana,
is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the Thar Desert
in the northern corner of the state. The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered. This region is home to the Kathiarbar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion, with tropical dry broadleaf forests that include teak, Acacia, and other trees. The hilly Vagad region lies in southernmost Rajasthan, on the border with Gujarat. With the exception of Mount Abu, Vagad is the wettest region in Rajasthan, and the most heavily forested. North of Vagad lies the Mewar region, home to the cities of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh. The Hadoti region lies to the southeast, on the border with Madhya Pradesh. North of Hadoti and Mewar is the Dhundhar region, home to the state capital of Jaipur. Mewat, the easternmost region of Rajasthan, borders Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges. History![]() Rajasthan has a rich and colorful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Shown here is an ancient ruin in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Rajasthan's independent kingdoms created a rich architectural and
cultural heritage, seen today in its numerous forts, palaces and
havelis,
which are complemented by exceptional examples of
Muslim and
Jain
architecture. The Rajputs' tradition of independence preserved Rajasthan's culture and society, but many argue that it also kept the state illiterate, backward and old fashioned, leaving it less advanced in industrialisation, education, female rights, and equality.
List of Prominent Historical Icon of Rajasthan
EconomyRajasthan's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $33
billion in current prices. Agriculture Rajasthan'economy is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat and
barley are cultivated in large areas, as are pulses,sugarcane,and
oilseeds.Cotton and tobacco are cash crops. Rajasthan is amomg the largest
producer of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of
oilseeds.Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India. There
are mainly two crop seasons. The main source of irrigation is wells and
tanks. The
Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates north western Rajasthan. Industries Textiles - Rajasthan state is the second largest producer of polyster fibre in India.Bhilwara district produces more cloth than Bhiwandi in Maharashtra. Minerals - Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and mining in
India.The state is the largest producer of marbles and sandstone, the
second largest of cement.It has rich salt deposits at
Sambhar
and copper mines at
Khetri and
Dariba.The white marble is mined at
Makrana
near Jodhpur. It is the mineral capital of India and produces:
Endowed with natural beauty and a great history ,tourism is going great guns in Rajasthan.The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur and desert forts of Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destination of many a tourist ,Indian or foreign.Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product.Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels.Tourism has increased employment in hospitality sector.
A spin-off of tourism has been the growth of the handicrafts industry.
Culture
Government and politics
DemographicsList of Scheduled castes in Rajasthan
Education
Districts
Rajasthan has 32 districts:
Ajmer,
Alwar,
Banswara,
Baran,
Barmer,
Bhilwara,
Bikaner,
Bharatpur,
Bundi,
Chittorgarh,
Churu,
Dausa,
Dholpur,
Dungarpur,
Ganganagar,
Hanumangarh,
Jaipur,
Jaisalmer,
Jalore,
Jhalawar,
Jhunjhunu,
Jodhpur,
Karauli,
Kota,
Nagaur,
Pali,
Rajsamand,
Sawai Madhopur,
Sikar,
Sirohi,
Tonk, and
Udaipur. ![]() Seven divisions of the districts.
Important cities and towns
See also
Statistics
References
Mathur, P.C., 1995. Social and Economic Dynamics of Rajasthan Politics ( Jaipur, Aaalekh)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
|
![]() |
![]() |