MIZORAM 

Mizoram, a land of hills, rivers and lakes is the southern most State of the Indian northeast stretched between 92.15⁰ to 93.29⁰ East longitude and 21.58⁰ to 24.35⁰ North latitude. It became the 23rd State of the Indian Union on February 20, 1987, fourteen years after being declared a Union Territory in January 21, 1973. Spreading over an area of 21087 sq. kms. Mizoram constitutes 8.042 per cent of the total landmass of the entire North East and 0.67 per cent of the whole of India. It shares its border with Myanmar in the East and South, and Bangladesh in the west Assam Tripura and Manipur in the North.

The inhabitants of Mizoram are known by the generic name Mizo, which means people of the hills. The origin of the Mizos can be traced back to the great Mongoloid wave of migration from China who moved into India. Historically there has been a considerable concoction of different tribes in the State leading to three main sub-groups -Lushais, Pawis and Lakhers. According to the Census of 2001, Mizoram has a total population of 891,058 with a density of 42 persons per sq km. It constitutes .09 per cent of the total population of the country and 2.28 per cent of that of the North East.

Mizoram is primarily an agricultural state. About 59.77 percent of the total working population are engaged in cultivation and other agricultural activities. The per capita income of the State stands at Rs 12,535 (1998-99). Mizoram ranks 7th in the human resource development index and 14th in the poverty index in India. With a literacy rate of 88.49, Mizoram is the 2nd highest literate State in the country.

No major mineral deposits of economic importance have been located so far in the State. Consequently growth of modern industry is sparse and the State's economy revolves around agriculture and traditional industries.