Area	:	21,081 sq km		State Government Portal
	Population	:	888,573
	Capital	:	Aizawl
	Principal Languages	:	Mizo and English

History and Geography
Mizoram is a mountainous region, which became the 23rd state of the Indian Union in February 1987. It was one of the districts of Assam till 1972 when it became a Union Territory. After being annexed by the British in 1891, for the first few years, Lushai Hills in the north remained under Assam, while the southern half remained under Bengal. Both these parts were amalgamated in 1898 into one district called Lushai Hills District under the Chief Commissioner of Assam. With the implementation of the North-Eastern Reorganisation Act in 1972, Mizoram became a Union Territory and as a sequel to the signing of the historic memorandum of settlement between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front in 1986, it was granted statehood on 20 February, 1987. Sandwiched between Myanmar in the east and the south, and Bangladesh in the west, Mizoram occupies an area of great strategic importance in the north-eastern corner of India. Mizoram has great natural beauty and an endless variety of landscape. It is rich in fauna and flora.

The origin of the word ‘Mizo’ is not known. The Mizos came under the influence of the British Missionaries in the 19th Century. Now most of the Mizos are Christians. Mizo language has no script of its own. The missionaries introduced the Roman script for the Mizo language and formal education.

Agriculture
About 60 per cent of the people of Mizoram are engaged in agricultural pursuits. The main pattern of agriculture followed is Jhum or shifting cultivation. Out of the estimated potential available area of 4.4 lakhs hectares for horticulture, the area put under plantation is around 25,000 hectares only. The main horticulture crops are orange, lemon, kagzi lime, passion fruit, hatkora, jamir, pineapple and papaya. Other crops are sugarcane, tapioca and cotton. People have started extensive cultivation of ginger and fruit crops.

Industry
The entire Mizoram is a Notified Backward Area and is categorised under ‘No Industry District’. However, concerted efforts were made in the last decade to accelerate the growth of industries in Mizoram. For the development of industries in the state, Government framed industrial policy in 1989. In the policy resolution, priority industries identified are: agro and forest-based industries, followed by handloom and handicrafts, electronics, consumer industries. Sericulture is operating at Aizawl with two wings, viz., handloom and handicrafts wing and geology and mining wing.

In the field of industrial development, the Government has already announced new policy supports, on the basis of which, cottage and small industrial units will continue to receive assistance.

The completed projects of fruit preservation factory at Vairengte, Mizo Milling Plant at Khawzawl and Fruit Juice Concentrate Plant at Chhingchhip were transferred to the incorporated Mizoram Food & Allied Industries Corporation (MIFCO) for commercial operation. Maize Milling Plant has also been completed and commissioned by MIFCO.

Transport
Total road length in the state is 4,001.53 km. Rail link in the state has been established at Bairabi. Aizawl is connected by air.

Festivals
Mizoram is basically an agriculture-based state. All the activities of Mizos centre around Jhum cultivation, and their festivals are linked with such agricultural operations. Kut is the Mizo word for festival. Mizos have three major festivals called Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut.

Tourist Centres
Aizawl is located at nearly 4,000 ft above sea level, and is a religious and cultural centre of Mizoram. Champhai is a beautiful resort on the Myanmar border. Tam Dil, a natural lake with virgin forests, is 60 km from Aizawl and 10 km from Tourist Resort of Saitual. Vantawng Falls, 5 km from hill station Thenzawl, are the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Mizoram. The Department of Tourism has opened Tourist Lodges at Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai, Saiha, Lawngtlai and wayside restaurants at Thingdawl, Hnahthial, Kawlkulh, recreational centre at Beraw Tlang and Alpine Picnic Hut at District Park near Zobawk.