Mizoram

Mizoram (English pronunciation:

/mzorm/) is one of the states of Northeast India,

with Aizawl as its capital. The name is derived from Mi (people), Zo (hill) and Ram (land),
and thus Mizoram implies "land of the hill people".[4] In the northeast, it is the southern most
landlocked state sharing borders with three of the seven sister states,
namely Tripura, Assam, Manipur. The state also shares a 722 kilometer border with the
neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.[5]
Like several other northeastern states of India, Mizoram was previously part of Assam until
1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory. It became the 23rd state of India, a step
above Union Territory, on 20 February 1987.[6]
Mizoram's population is 1,091,014, according to 2011 census. It is the 2nd least populous
state in the country.[7] Mizoram covers an area of approximately 21,087 square
kilometer.[8] About 91% of the state is forested.[9]
About 95% of current Mizoram population is of diverse tribal origins who settled in the state,
mostly from southeast Asia, over waves of migration starting about 16th century but mainly
in 18th century.[10] This is the highest concentration of tribal people among all states of India,
and they are currently protected under Indian constitution as Scheduled Tribe.[11] The tribes
converted from Animist religions to Christianity over the first half of 20th century. Mizoram
is one of three states of India with a Christian majority (87%).[12] Its people belong to various
denominations, mostly Presbyterian in its north and Baptists in south.
Mizoram is a highly literate agrarian economy, but suffers from slash-andburn jhum or shifting cultivation, and poor crop yields.[13] In recent years, the jhum farming
practices are steadily being replaced with a significant horticulture and bambooproducts
industry.[14][15] The state's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at
6991 crore (US$1.1 billion).[8] About 20% of Mizoram's population lives below poverty line,
with 35% rural poverty.[16] The state has about 871 kilometers of national highways, with
NH-54 and NH-150 connecting it to Assam and Manipur respectively. It is also a growing
transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh.[17]