Major Points about Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state in the Western part of India. It is the second most populous state in the country. Moreover, it is also the third-largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is currently the wealthiest state by GDP. It also happens to be the most industrialized state in the country.
| Maharashtra | |
| Capital & Major Cities |
Mumbai Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati |
| Districts | 36 |
| Formed on | 1 May 1960 |
| Official Language |
Marathi, Varhadi, Khandeshi, Konkani. |
| Known as/for | The largest producer of sugarcane in India |
| Physical Characteristics |
– To the west is the narrow Konkan coastal lowland. – The Western Ghats, running north-south, separates the coast from the interior – the Deccan plateau. – The Satpuda, hills along the northern border, and the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri Ranges on the eastern border serves as natural limits to the state. |
| Natural Vegetation |
Tropical moist deciduous, tropical semi-evergreen, tropical dry deciduous, tropical thorny vegetation |
| Major Rivers |
– The Narmada river originates in Amarkantak, the highest peak of the Vindhya Range, it flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Gujarat before finally ending its journey in the Gulf of Khambhat – The Godavari river flowing from Brahmagiri Mountain in Maharashtra to Antarvedi into the Bay of Bengal – The Krishna river flowing from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh through Karnataka |
| Major Regional Festivals |
Holi, Rangapanchami, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Nag Panchami, Pola, Diwali |
| Major Art Forms |
– Dance – Lavani, Koli Dance, Dindi, Dhangari Gaja, Kala Warli Paintings – Music – Owi, Abhang, Palane, Marathi Natya Sangeet |
| Industry | – Oldest & Largest cotton textile industry. – Petrochemical, edible oils processing, fruit canning & preservation, processed forest products, manufacture of agricultural implements, transport equipment, rubber products, electric & oil pumps, lathes, compressors, sugar mill machinery, typewriters, refrigerators, electronic equipment, & television and radio sets, automobiles |
| Minerals | Manganese, coal, iron ore, limestone, copper, bauxite, silica sand, common salt, bituminous coal, petroleum |
| Agriculture | Jowar (grain sorghum), millet, and pulses (legumes), Rice, Wheat, Cotton, tobacco, & peanuts (groundnuts), Mangoes, Cashew nuts, bananas & oranges |
| Geographical Indications |
Kolhapuri chappals & Jaggery, Ratnagiri & Devgad Hapus, Mahabaleshwar’s strawberries, Nashik’s grapes, Nashik Valley wine, Jalgaon’s brinjals, Nagpur’s oranges, Solapur Chaddar, Solapur Terry towel, Puneri Pagadi, Paithani sarees & fabrics, Warli painting, Marathwada’s Kesar mango, Dahanu Gholvad chikoo, Jalgaon banana, Mulshi Ambemohar rice & Bhiwapur chili |
| State Animal |
Giant Squirrel |
| State Bird |
Green Imperial Pigeon |
| State Flower |
Jarul |
| State Tree |
Mango |
| World Heritage Sites |
Western Ghats, Ajanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves |
| Tiger Reserve |
Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Navegaon-Nagzira, Bor |
| Biodiversity Hotspots |
Western Ghats |
| Bird Sanctuaries |
Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary |
| National Parks |
Gugamal National Park Navegaon National Park Sanjay Gandhi National Park Tadoba National Park Pench National Park Chandoli National Park |
| Marine Protected Area |
Malvan Marine, Thane Creek Flamingo |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries |
Amba Barwa WLS Andhari WLS Aner Dam WLS Bhamragarh WLS Bhimashankar WLS Bor WLS Chaprala WLS Deolgaon-Rehkuri WLS Dnyanganga WLS Gautala- Autram Ghat WLS Great Indian Bustard WLS Jaikwadi WLS Kalsubai Harishchandragad WLS Karnala WLS Karanja Sohal Blackbuck WLS Katepurna WLS Koyana WLS, Lonar WLS Malvan Marine WLS Mansingdeo WLS Mayureswar Supe WLS Melghat WLS, Nagzira WLS Naigaon Mayur WLS Nandur Madhyameshwar WLS Narnala Bird WLS Navegaon WLS, New Bor WLS New Nagzira WLS Painganga WLS, Phansad WLS Radhanagari WLS Sagareshwar WLS, Tansa WLS Thane Creek Flamingo WLS Tipeshwar WLS Tungareshwar WLS, Yawal WLS Yedsi Ramlin Ghat WLS Umred-Kharngla WLS, Wan WLS |
