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Chhattisgarh Facts and Information

General Information

Capital Naya Raipur (Atal Nagar)
Formation Date 1 November 2000 (carved from Madhya Pradesh)
Largest City Raipur
Official Languages Hindi, Chhattisgarhi
State Animal Wild buffalo
State Bird Bastar hill myna
State Flower Rhynchostylis gigantea
State Name Chhattisgarh

Government and Administration

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Governor Ramen Deka
High Court Chhattisgarh High Court at Bilaspur
Legislature Unicameral (90 Assembly seats)
Lok Sabha Seats 11
Number of Districts 33
Rajya Sabha Seats 5

Geography and Environment

Area 135,192 km²
Climate Tropical wet and dry
Forest Cover ~41.5% (one of the highest in India)
Major River Mahanadi
National Park Indravati Tiger Reserve, Kanger Valley

Demographics and Social Structure

Density ~189/km²
Literacy Rate 70.28%
Population (2011 Census) 25.5 million
Sex Ratio 991
Tribal Population ~30.6% (highest concentration in India)

Economy and Industry

Major Resource Coal, iron ore, limestone, bauxite
Power Generation Net surplus electricity producer
Rice Bowl Major rice-producing state
Steel Capital Bhilai Steel Plant

Education and Research

Central University Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
IIM IIM Raipur
Premier Institute IIT Bhilai, NIT Raipur, AIIMS Raipur

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Major Airport Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur
Planned City Naya Raipur (planned smart city)
Steel Industries Bhilai, Raipur, Bilaspur

Culture and Heritage

Folk Dance Panthi, Raut Nacha, Suwa, Karma
Major Festival Bastar Dussehra (lasts 75 days)
Traditional Art Dhokra (lost-wax metal craft), bell metal work
Tribal Heritage Bastar region (Gond, Maria, Muria tribes)

Tourism and Places of Interest

Caves Kutumsar caves in Kanger Valley
Hill Station Mainpat
Pilgrimage Rajim (triveni sangam)
Waterfall Chitrakote (India's 'Niagara of Bastar')

Fun facts

Longest Dussehra Bastar Dussehra is the world's longest festival, lasting 75 days
Mineral Wealth Holds ~17% of India's coal reserves
Tribal Diversity 42 tribes recognized in the state