| Himachal Pradesh-Travellers Paradise | History :The state of Himachal Pradesh was called 'Deva Bhoomi ' or the Land of the Gods. There are evidences of the existence of the pre-historic humans in this region. It is generally believed that large inhabitants  of this region had actually migrated from Central Asia and the Indian plains from time to time. The first race to enter Himachal Pradesh was Proto-Australoid followed by Mongoloid and the Aryan. The Rig Veda mentions about Dasyus and Nishads living in this region and their powerful king Shambra who had 99 forts. From the early period of its history, tribes like the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats inhabited it.
Himachal Pradesh (HP) is a complex mosaic of hills, lush valleys and snow-clad peaks. It straddles the Himalayas from the foothills, over peaks, to the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti.
Climate
Himachal Pradesh experiences a wide variation in climatic conditions. There are areas that receive very heavy rainfall (in the foothills) and those that are cold and almost rainless (the deserts of Lahaul, Spiti and Puh). Summer lasts from mid-April to end-June and most parts become very hot (except in places over 3,000m which experience mild summer) with the average maximum temperature ranging from 28ºC to 32ºC. Winter, from  late November to mid-March, is the longest and severest season. Snowfall is very common in tracts above 2,200 m with the mercury remaining below freezing point in the Higher and Trans-Himalayas. Autumn is the best season here when the skies are bright and sunny during the day and clear and starry at night.
The HillsMore than 2400km long and some 160km wide, the Himalayas are the greatest physical feature on earth. and Himachal Pradesh is a generous section of this huge formation. The name itself is descriptive of its characteristics – Himachal being an ancient Sanskrit compound of hima (snow) and achal (that which cannot be moved) – and thus simply means ‘the Mountain State’.
Capital:Shimla
The Valleys:Much of HP can be easily divided according to its many lovely valleys. Lahaul and Spiti stretch from the Chandra Valley in  the northwest to the Lingti Valley along the Spiti River. The Chamba and Kangra vales lie on either side of the mighty Dhauladhars, while the remote Pattan Valley is separated from Chamba by the Pir Panjal. Kullu Valley stretches from Mandi to Manali, and the Parbati Valley obviously follows the Parbati River. The Malana Valley is quite an interesting place, supposed to be the oldest democracy in the world.
Glaciers, Rivers & LakesThe many glaciers above the snow line feed the fast flowing rivers of Himachal Pradesh. In fact, the whole of the Himalayas is like one mammoth reservoir of snow. The Beas Kund glacier near the famous Rohtang pass in Kullu is the mother of the Beas. The other biggies are the Bara Shigri, the largest glacier in Lahaul valley, the Bhadal Glacier, the Bhaga Glacier and the Chandra Glacier. Alpine pastures spring up around them in summer turning the place into a picnic spot for migratory graziers
Flora & FaunaHimachal is a land of jade forests and fresh air. As much as 68% of the land area is covered with jungles. While the foothills and valleys are a refreshing green, the areas above the snow line are almost bare. The southernmost tracts are dominated by sal (Shorea robusta), sisham, chir pine, dry deciduous and moist broad-leafed forests. The temperate region above this grows oaks, deodar, blue pine, fir and spruce. In the uppermost climes, trees are sturdy with a vast network of roots (to help them tide over the weeks of burial under heavy snow). You’ll mostly find alders, birches, rhododendrons and moist alpine scrubs in the name of vegetation. The tough rhododendron, by the way, is an amazing plant and of terrific importance in the ecological chain. By attracting insects, which in turn attract birds, it forms a major link in high altitude ecosystems. The rhododendrons you see along the hillsides around Shimla from March to May are breathtakingly beautiful.
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Himachal Pradesh
