Chhattisgarh - A natural exotic land

Formed in	November 1, 2000, as India's 26 th state, carved out of Madhya Pradesh.
Location	Central India.
Bordered by	Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh (north) Andhra Pradesh (south) Orissa (east) Madhya Pradesh (west)
Area	135,133 sq km (45% densely forested)
Population	20,795,956
Literacy	65%
Sex Ratio	990 females per 1000 males (the second-best sex ratio of any state in india, after Kerala)
Capital	Raipur.
High Court	Bilaspur.
Districts	16, many of them being erstwhile princely states.
National Parks	03
Wildlife Sanctuaries	11
Major Cities	Raipur, Durg-Bhilai (twin cities), Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Jagdalpur.
Minerals	Iron Ore, Coal, Bauxite, Timber, Tin (found only in Chhatisgarh), Gold, Limestone, Dolomite, Diamond, Manganese, Korandum, Quartz.
Industries	Steel, Aluminum, Cement, Thermal power.
Important Rivers	Mahanadi, Indravati, Shivnath, Hansdeo, Arpa, Pairi, Kharoon, Maniyari Jonk, Shabri, Dankini-Shankini, Mand, Tandula, Ib, Kotri.
Water bodies/dams	Gangarel (Ravishankar Sagar), Mooramsilli, Dhudhawa, Sikasar, Sondhur, Pairi, Hansdeo-Bango, Kodar, Jonk, Arpa, Maniyari, Khutaghat, Tandula, Kharkhara, Saroda, Banki, Jhumka.
Waterfalls	Chitrakote, Tirathgarh, Kanger, Gupteshwar, Malajkundam, Saat Dhara, Ranidah, Rajpuri, Kendai, Tata Pani, Damera Tamda Ghumar, Mendri Ghumar.
Wildlife	Tiger, Leopard, Wild Boar, Cheetal, Langoor, Rhesus Monkey, Barahsinga, Sambhar, Bison, Wild Buffalo, Civet Cat, Bear.
Crops	Rice, Sugarcane, Banana, Pulses, Wheat .
Forest Produce	Teak, Sal, Bamboo, Sheeshal, Mahua, Tamarind, Haldu, Saja, Sheesham, Various Herbs.
Languages	Hindi, Local dialects.
Religions	Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Tribal.
Fairs	Bastar Dussera, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Ramaram, Ma Bambleshwari, Ratanpur, Shivrinarayan, Sihawa, Bhoramdeo, Girodhpuri, Damakheda.