Short facts instead of long texts
Arunachal Pradesh in a nutshell
Arunachal Pradesh short and sweet
The most important information about Arunachal Pradesh
Below you will find everything you need to know about Arunachal Pradesh clearly summarized in a table. If something is not clear, please do not hesitate to contact us.
| Location | In the most northeast part of India on the southern slopes of the Himalayas with the autonomous region of Tibet to the north, Myanmar (Burma) to the east, Bhutan to the west and the Indian states of Assam and Nagaland to the south. |
| Area | 83,743 km² |
| Population | 1,382,611/ 17 per km² (2011) |
| Capital | Itanagar |
| Districts | 16: Tawang, West Kameng, East Kameng, Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Upper Sulansiri, West Siang, Upper Siang, East Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjan, Lohit, Changlang, Tirap. |
| Topography | Arunachal Pradesh is located in the eastern Himalayas at an average altitude of 1500 m above sea level; however, the land is very rugged and ranges from altitudes of a few 100 m above sea level (for example in the Brahmaputra river valley and in the south-easternmost tip) to 7090 m above sea level, to Kangto, the highest peak on the border with Tibet. |
| Vegetation | The lower-lying areas are characterized by tropical and subtropical, evergreen rain and cloud forest vegetation of rhododendron, oak, fir, maple, juniper, sal and teak, interspersed with bamboo and over 500 different orchids. From mixed and fir forests in the low mountain ranges to alpine vegetation in the high altitudes, a broad spectrum of biodiversity can be found. In the far northwest in the Tawang region, typical Tibetan landscapes dominate.</td |
| Animal world | Mithun buffalo Bos frontalis, Takin Budorcas taxicolor, elephant, tiger, leopard, gibbon, red panther, musk oxen, hoolock gibbon Hylobates hoolock. Avifauna: Hornbills, White-winged Muscovy Cairina scutula, Yellow-tailed Pheasant Lophophorus impejanus, Bearded Bustard Houbaropsis bengalensis, Temminicktragopan. |
| Climate | The climate along the Brahmaputra and in the lower regions in the south is hot and humid, subtropical monsoon climate with mild winters. In the central Himalayas, the climate is temperate all year round, while the high altitudes (Tawang) have an alpine climate |
| Temperatures | At an altitude of 750 m above sea level: 13 to 28 °C; in lower regions from June to August annual maximums of up to 42 °C. |
| Precipitation | 1000 mm in alpine regions (Tawang) and up to 575 mm in the lowlands. Most of the precipitation falls in the lower regions between May and September. Dry weather can be expected from December to February |
| Languages | The official language is English. The tribal population speaks a variety of Tibetan-Burmese languages, which in turn are divided into different dialects. The largest language families are Nishi (20 %) and Adi (19 %), other major tribal languages are Monpa, Wnacho, Tangsa, Mishmi, Miri and Nocte (each between 5 % and 10 %). 80-90 other smaller tribal languages with less than 5% speakers. The Indo-Aryan languages Bengali, Nepali, Hindi and Assamese are widely spoken among the non-indigenous population.</td |
| Ethnicities | The population is ethnically very mixed. About 65% of Arunachal’s population are members of the indigenous tribal population of Tibeto-Burman origin, while about 35% are immigrants from other parts of India and Bangladesh. There are 26 main tribes as well as numerous tribes of Tibetan or Burmese origin and diverse cultures. Buddhist ethnic groups are: Monpas, Sherdukpens (Thongs & Gheos), Kambas, Singphos, Khamptis; Animist ethnic groups: Wanchos, Noctes, Tangsas, Mishmis (Idu ca. 25,000; Mijis ca. 18,000; Taraon/Digaru), Adis (Gallongs; Padams; Miwongs), Tagis/Moyas, Hill Miris, Apatamis, Ngishis, Itrussos/Akas, Khowas/Bugun, Puroiks/Sulurgs. |
| Religions | Animistic beliefs with shamanism and ancestor worship (approx. 32%); Lamaist Buddhism in the west not far from Tibet and Theravada Buddhism in the east among the Khampti (approx. 19%). Hinduism is mainly practised by the non-indigenous population (approx. 30%), while the Nocte and Wanche tribes practise an elementary form of Vishnuism. Almost 20 % of the population are Christians, not quite 2 % Muslims. |
| Economy | Arunachal Pradesh lives from agriculture. Rice, maize, millet, wheat, lentils, sugar cane, rapeseed, pineapples, oranges, lemons, plums, pears, cherries, apples and peaches are cultivated. Forestry and mining are also practised and there are many artisans; tourism represents the majority of the service sector. |
| How to get there | Flight to Kolkata or Delhi in India. Onward flight to Guwahati in Assam. From Guwahati onward journey by jeep. There are other possible flight transfers in and around Arunachal Pradesh.</td |
| Visa / entry permit | A passport valid for at least six months and a visa are required to enter India. We will organize the additionally required entry permit (RAP – Restricted Area Permit) for Arunachal Pradesh in advance of the tour |
| Vaccination recommendations | In addition to the usual vaccinations, vaccinations against hepatitis, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and rabies are recommended. You will receive detailed recommendations from us upon registration |