My home town.Shillong (English pronunciation: /ʃɪˈlɒŋ/; Khasi: Shillong) is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India and home to the Khasis. It is the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Shillong Peak at 6,449 feet (1,966 m). Shillong is the 330th most populous city in India with population of 143,007 according to the 2011 census.[2] It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland. Hence, Shillong is known as Scotland of the East. The population density of the state of Meghalaya in the current decade is 342 people per sq mile. It has steadily grown in size and significance since it was made the civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in 1864 by the British. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioners Province, it was chosen as the headquarters of the new administration because of its convenient location between the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys and more so because the climate of Shillong was much cooler than tropical India. Shillong remained the capital of undivided Assam until the creation of the new state of Meghalaya on 21 January 1972, when Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya and Assam moved its capital to Dispur in Guwahati. Contents Landscape from Shillong Peak Shillong is at 25.57°N 91.88°E. It is on the Shillong Plateau, the only major uplifted structure in the northern Indian shield.[3] The city lies in the centre of the plateau and is surrounded by hills, three of which are revered in Khasi tradition: Lum Sohpetbneng, Lum Diengiei and Lum Shillong. Weather conditions: Pleasant, pollution-free; summers: The temperature varies from 23 °C (73 °F); winters: The temperature varies from 4 °C (39 °F). Location: Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is just 55 km (34 mi) from Mawsynram, the worlds wettest place. Shillong receives far less precipitation due to the orographic effect. Climate[edit] Due to its latitude and high elevation Shillong has a sub-tropical climate with mild summers and chilly to cold winters.[4] Under Köppen’s climate classification the city features a subtropical highland climate. Shillong is subject to vagaries of the monsoon. The monsoons arrive in June and it rains almost until the end of August. October–November and March–April are the best months to visit Shillong. [hide]Climate data for Shillong Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high °C (°F) 15.3 (59.5) 17.0 (62.6) 21.3 (70.3) 23.4 (74.1) 23.5 (74.3) 23.7 (74.7) 24.0 (75.2) 24.0 (75.2) 23.4 (74.1) 21.7 (71.1) 19.0 (66.2) 16.3 (61.3) 21.05 (69.88) Average low °C (°F) 4.4 (39.9) 6.5 (43.7) 10.7 (51.3) 13.8 (56.8) 15.3 (59.5) 17.3 (63.1) 18.0 (64.4) 17.7 (63.9) 16.5 (61.7) 13.3 (55.9) 8.8 (47.8) 5.3 (41.5) 12.3 (54.13) Rainfall mm (inches) 13.6 (0.535) 22.7 (0.894) 52.8 (2.079) 129.8 (5.11) 273.1 (10.752) 468.2 (18.433) 395.1 (15.555) 316.8 (12.472) 294.1 (11.579) 193.0 (7.598) 38.6 (1.52) 9.2 (0.362) 2,207 (86.889) Avg. rainy days 2.9 3.3 6.9 13.1 21.4 24.2 24.5 23.5 22.1 12.5 4.4 2.1 160.9 Source: World Meteorological Organization.[
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 06:05:06 +0000
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