Study Guides/Geography/Capital of Meghalaya — Shillong, Scotland of the East
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Capital of Meghalaya — Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. It is the largest city in the state and serves as the seat of the Meghalaya government. Shillong is famously called the 'Scotland of the East' due to its rolling hills and pleasant climate, which resembles the Scottish Highlands.

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What is the capital of Meghalaya?

Answer

The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. It is the largest city in the state, located in the East Khasi Hills district at an altitude of about 1,491 metres. Shillong is famously called the 'Scotland of the East' due to its scenic hills and pleasant climate.

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Key Facts

Capital of Meghalaya: Shillong.

Shillong is nicknamed the 'Scotland of the East'.

Meghalaya means 'Abode of Clouds' in Sanskrit.

Meghalaya became a state on 21 January 1972 (carved out of Assam).

Mawsynram, Meghalaya = wettest place on Earth (highest average annual rainfall).

Major tribes: Khasi, Garo, Jaintia.

Shillong is also called the Rock Music Capital of India.

Shillong — Capital of Meghalaya

Capital: Shillong State: Meghalaya Location: East Khasi Hills district, northeastern India Altitude: approximately 1,491 m (4,892 ft) above sea level Nickname: Scotland of the East

About Meghalaya: • Name meaning: 'Abode of Clouds' (Megha = cloud, Alaya = abode/home) — Sanskrit • Meghalaya is one of the Seven Sister States of northeast India • Statehood: 21 January 1972 (carved out of Assam) • Major tribes: Khasi, Garo, Jaintia • Meghalaya receives some of the highest rainfall in the world — Mawsynram and Cherrapunji (both in Meghalaya) hold records for highest annual rainfall • Cherrapunji (Sohra): historically recorded as the wettest place on Earth • Mawsynram: currently holds the record for the highest average annual rainfall

About Shillong: • Colonial history: Shillong was the capital of undivided Assam under British rule; remained so until 1972 when Meghalaya was formed • Called 'Scotland of the East' because British settlers found its landscape and climate similar to Scotland • Known for its music culture — Shillong is called the 'Rock Music Capital of India' • Ward's Lake and Elephant Falls are popular attractions • Headquarters of Eastern Air Command (Indian Air Force)

Meghalaya — Quick Facts: • Area: 22,429 sq km • District: 12 districts • Languages: Khasi, Garo, Pnar, English (official) • Governor's residence: Raj Bhavan, Shillong • High Court: Meghalaya High Court, Shillong

Questions and Answers

What is the capital of Meghalaya?+

The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. It is the largest city in the state, located in the East Khasi Hills district at an altitude of about 1,491 metres. Shillong is famously called the 'Scotland of the East' due to its scenic hills and pleasant climate.

Why is Shillong called the Scotland of the East?+

Shillong is called the 'Scotland of the East' because British colonial settlers found that its rolling green hills, cool climate, and beautiful landscape resembled the Scottish Highlands in Scotland. The nickname has stayed with the city since the British era.

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