Northeastern India contains the state of Meghalaya. On January 21, 1972, Meghalaya was created by dividing the state of Assam into two districts: (a) the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills; and (b) the Garo Hills. [8] Meghalaya was formerly a part of Assam until the districts of Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills were united to form the new state of Meghalaya on January 21, 1972. Meghalaya's population was estimated at 3,211,474 in 2014. Meghalaya has a length to width ratio of roughly 3:1 and a total area of about 22,430 square kilometers. Mymensingh and Sylhet in Bangladesh, Rangpur in Bangladesh, and the State of Assam in India form the state's southern, western, and northern borders, respectively. Shillong serves as Meghalaya's capital. India was known as the "Scotland of the East" by British imperial rulers throughout their time in power. Meghalaya's official language is English. The youngest daughter in Meghalaya, unlike many other Indian states, inherits all of the wealth and is also responsible for caring for her parents. Meghalaya has historically practiced a matrilineal system where the lineage and inheritance are traced through women. The state is the wettest in all of India, with the southern Khasi Hills recording the highest average annual rainfall at 12,000 mm (470 in). The state has forests covering about 70% of its area. The state is entirely covered by the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion; its mountain forests are unique from the tropical lowlands to the north and south. The diversity of the woodlands' mammals, birds, and flora is noteworthy.
