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	Sikkim

	Fast Facts

	Area: 7096 sq km Population: 406,457 Capital: Gangtok Climate Summer(Mar to June) - Cool and Pleasant Winter (November to February) - Chilly to Very Cold Clothing Summer - Light Woollens Winter - Heavy Woollens Languages spoken Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, Limbu Religion practised Buddhism Best Time to visit March to Augus

				The Himalayan Wonderland Tucked away in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, in the shadow of the towering Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak which is worshipped as the principal deity, Sikkim is a Himalayan wonderland. Its' mountain peaks, lush picturesque valleys, terraced hills, pine forests, fast flowing rivers offering excellent river rafting, mountain lakes, lovely views, unpolluted air, forest-trails, monasteries and incredible floral wealth make it a virtual Shangrila, with something for the stressed out city executive, the adventure sports enthusiast and those interested in Buddhism and Tibetology.

	Geography:

	Having international borders with Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan on three sides, and a national border with the state of West Bengal on the fourth side, Sikkim is a strategically significant state. It is entirely mountainous, with one-third of the land covered with dense forests of sal, sambal and bamboo, which are mostly inaccessible and unexploited.

	People:

	The population of Sikkim comprises three main groups of people, the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese, who make up 75% of the population. The Sikkimese, are devout Buddhists, and the state has many fine old monasteries rich with frescoes, religious paintings on silk and statues of the Buddha's various incarnations. Gangtok, the delightfully quaint capital, has many buildings with pagoda like roofs, and you cannot miss the presence of crimson robed monks in the bazaars. Until 1975 Sikkim was an independent kingdom, albeit under a treaty which allowed the Indian government to control Sikkim's foreign affairs and defence. However, following a period of political crises and riots in the capital, Gangtok, India annexed the country and Sikkim became the 22nd Indian state.

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