Mizoram, a land of hills, rivers and lakes is the
southern most State of the Indian northeast stretched between 92.150
to 93.290 East longitude and 21.580 to 24.350 North latitude. It became
the 23rd State of the Indian Union on February 20, 1987, fourteen
years after being declared a Union Territory in January 21, 1973.
Spreading over an area of 21087 sq. kms. Mizoram constitutes 8.042
per cent of the total landmass of the entire North East and 0.67 per
cent of the whole of India. It shares its border with Myanmar in the
East and South, and Bangladesh in the west Assam Tripura and Manipur
in the North.
The inhabitants of Mizoram are known by the generic name Mizo, which
means people of the hills. The origin of the Mizos can be traced back
to the great Mongoloid wave of migration from China who moved into
India. Historically there has been a considerable concoction of different
tribes in the State leading to three main sub-groups -Lushais, Pawis
and Lakhers. According to the Census of 2001, Mizoram has a total
population of 891,058 with a density of 42 persons per sq km. It constitutes
.09 per cent of the total population of the country and 2.28 per cent
of that of the North East.
Mizoram is primarily an agricultural state. About 59.77 percent of
the total working population are engaged in cultivation and other
agricultural activities. The per capita income of the State stands
at Rs 12,535 (1998-99). Mizoram ranks 7th in the human resource development
index and 14th in the poverty index in India. With a literacy rate
of 88.49, Mizoram is the 2nd highest literate State in the country.
No major mineral deposits of economic importance have been located
so far in the State. Consequently growth of modern industry is sparse
and the State's economy revolves around agriculture and traditional
industries.
