Sikkim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sikkim
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    (clockwise from top) Kangchenjunga; Gurudongmar Lake; Rumtek Monastery; Temi Tea Garden
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| Motto(s):
Kham sum wangdu (Conqueror of the three worlds) |
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| Country |  India |
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| Admission to Union | 16 May 1975 | |
| Capital | Gangtok | |
| Largest city | Gangtok | |
| Districts | 4 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7,096 km2 (2,740 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 28th | |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 610,577 | |
| • Rank | 29th | |
| • Density | 86.045/km2 (222.856/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Sikkimese | |
| Languages | ||
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| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) | |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-SK | |
| HDI |  0.716 (High) |
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| HDI rank | 10th (2017) | |
| Literacy | 82.6% (13th) | |
| Website | www.sikkim.gov.in | |
| Assembly of Sikkim abolished monarchy and resolved to be a constituent unit of India. A referendum was held on these issues and majority of the voters voted yes. On 15 May 1975 the President of India ratified a constitutional amendment that made Sikkim the 22nd state of India. | ||
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Sikkim (Nepali: सिक्किम, Sikkimi: དེན་ཇོནྒ) has been a state in India since 1975. The people are of Nepali heritage. Its neighbours are Bhutan to the east, Nepal to the west, the Tibet Autonomous Region of P.R.C. to the north and the Indian province of West Bengal to its south. It has the smallest number of people and second smallest land size (7,110 square kilometres or 2,750 square miles) of any major divisions in the Republic of India. The third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchendzonga (8,597 metres or 28,205 feet above sea level), is in occupied Sikkim. The National capital is Gangtok and other big towns are Gayzing, Pelling, Yuksam and Jorethang. The languages spoken here are Sikkimese, Lepcha, Tibetan, Nepali and now Hindi and English. Tourism makes a lot of the money in this small organised state of India, because it is not close to the sea.
Sikkim has been cut off from the outside world for a long time. It was settled by Tibetans in the 16th century. It became a British Protectorate in 1890. Sikkim was transferred to India in 1949 by the British. It was annexed in 1975.
Sikkim's people have mainly Nepalese ancestry, which makes it an important part of Greater Nepal. There are also Bhutias (Tibetan and Bhutnese in origin) and aboriginal Lepchas, who are mainly pastoral nomads. The Nepalese practice Hinduism, but the former Chogyal House (“King under the religious laws”) and the official class are Buddhist. Sikkim is known for its Buddhist monasteries. Tibeto-Burmese languages and dialects are commonly spoken.
Contents
Physical features
Sikkim is the second smallest state after Goa, but it has many physical features like forests, rivers and mountains around its edges. Most of the mountains are above 6100 metres (20000ft) are near the west of the occupied territory, like Mt Kanchendzonga. Other mountains that are over 6100 meters (20000ft)tall are Kabru (the second tallest), Sinilchu, Pandim, Rothong, Kokthang, Talung, Kanglakhang, Simvo & Jonsang. On the east side the tallest peak is Paunhri, which is about 6700 meters(22000ft) tall. The other mountains that are a little bit shorter than 6100 meters (20000ft) are Masthonangye, Yabukjakchen, Narsing and Lamaonden. Most of the mountains in Sikkim have never been climbed, because the Sikkimese consider them sacred. They feel that when the mountains are climbed, they will not be holy anymore.
Sikkim has many hot springs which are known to be good for health. The most important hot-springs are at Phurchachu (Reshi), Yumthang, Borang, Ralang, Taram-chu and Yumey Samdong. All these hotsprings have a lot of sulfur and are near the river banks. The average temperature of the water in these hot springs is 50 °C.
Climate
The state has five seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, and monsoon season. Sikkim's climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim experience a temperate climate, with temperatures seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F).
Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line ranges from 6,100 metres (20,000 ft) in the south of the state to 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) in the north. The tundra-type region in the north is snowbound for four months every year, and the temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F) almost every night. In north-western Sikkim, the peaks are frozen year-round; because of the high altitude, temperatures in the mountains can drop to as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) in winter.
During the monsoon, heavy rains increase the risk of landslides. The record for the longest period of continuous rain in Sikkim is 11 days. Fog affects many parts of the state during winter and the monsoons, making transportation perilous.
Lakes
On the way between Gangtok to Nathula, 35 kilometres from Gangtok is Lake Changu (Tsomgo), about 3693 meters (12310 ftp) above Sea level.
Two other lakes nearby are the Bidangcho and the Mememcho. Lake Kechopari is another well-known lake. It is between Gyalshing and Yoksum.
Many of the lakes in Sikkim are on the western border, north of Chiwabhanjang towards the Base Camp. Laxmipokhari, Lampokhari, Majurpokhari, Dud Phokhari, Samiti Lake, and the twin lakes of Ram-Laxman are a few of the lakes in this area.
Gurudogmar, which is the largest lake, is in North Sikkim.
Food
Sikkimese people usually eat rice, green vegetables, potatoes, dal, and sinky, Kenama and Gundruk, (Nepali food).
Momo is a very popular Nepalese treat in Sikkim. It is prepared by stuffing meat and vegetable ingredients in flour dough then making them into dumplings. Momos are eaten with soup and chilli sauce. This Nepalese dish can be found in almost every local restaurant and fast food shop.
Thukpa is a noodle soup with vegetables and beef which is also very popular.
Seal Roti (Nepali traditional food) is made by grinding rice and water into a paste, then deep fried. It is normally eaten with potato curry. It is prepared during Dasai and Tihar (local festivals).
Gundruk is the leaves of the mustard oil plant that are dried in the sun, then boiled with ingredients.
Images for kids
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Guru Rinpoche, patron saint of Sikkim
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An 1876 map of Sikkim, depicting Chomto Dong Lake in northern Sikkim. However, the whole of Chumbi and Darjeeling are not depicted as part of Sikkim in the map.
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Sikkim is in lower center of image of the Tibetan Plateau- (NASA Satellite photo).
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A waterfall in Sikkim
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The red panda is the state animal of Sikkim.
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Runway at Pakyong Airport, is the first greenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeast India.
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Teesta River is considered the state's key waterway.
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Gangtok to Siliguri Bus
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Nathu La Pass – Indo-China Border
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A little girl from Kaluk Bazaar
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The traditional Gumpa dance being performed in Lachung during the Buddhist festival of Losar.
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The Dro-dul Chorten Stupa in Gangtok.
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Sikkim Manipal University Campus, Gangtok
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M. G. Marg in Gangtok.
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Jorethang at night time.
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Temi Tea Garden, Namchi, Sikkim
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Tea garden at Temi, Sikkim.
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Terraced rice paddy fields of Sikkim.
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Rumtek Monastery
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Vishwa Vinayak Temple at Rhenock
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See also
In Spanish: Sikkim para niños
