Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh (är'ənächəl prədĕsh`), state (2001 provisional pop. 1,091,117), 31,438 sq mi (81,424 sq km), NE India, bordered on the north by the Tibet region of China and on the east by Myanmar. The capital is Itanagar. Formerly the North-East Frontier Agency special territory, Arunachal Pradesh became a union territory in 1972 and a state in 1987. A remote region, it includes part of the E Himalayas and extends through mountainous highlands to the plains of Assam. Its border with Tibet, disputed by China, is known as the MacMahon line. It was established by the British, with the agreement of Tibet, in the early 20th cent.; the Chinese claim more than 90% of the territory. In Oct., 1962, the Chinese launched a massive offensive against the area, and by November they had advanced far into Indian territory. On Nov. 21, however, the Chinese proclaimed a unilateral cease-fire and withdrew behind the MacMahon line. Arunachal Pradesh is inhabited by people of Mongoloid stock, most of whom practice animism. The state is governed by a chief minister responsible to a unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by the president of India.

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Arunachal Pradesh

State (pop., 2001: 1,097,968), extreme northeastern India. Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet (China), and Myanmar and Nagaland and Assam states, it occupies 32,333 sq mi (83,743 sq km); its capital is Itanagar. A portion of the region was annexed by the Ahom rulers of Assam in the 16th century. By 1826 the British had made Assam part of British India. Later called the North East Frontier Agency, the region became Arunachal Pradesh union territory in 1972 and was granted statehood in 1987. China does not recognize the boundary (the McMahon Line) between it and Arunachal Pradesh. The state incorporates major ranges of the Himalaya foothills and has a rugged terrain. The population consists of many ethnic groups who speak dialects of the Tibeto-Burman linguistic family.

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Arunachal Pradesh

a state in NE India, formed in 1986 from the former Union Territory. Capital: Itanagar. Pop.: 1 091 117 (2001). Area: 83 743 sq. km (32 648 sq. miles)