Sikkim Travel Guide & Travel Infrmation
Sikkim is a small state in eastern India. The capital of the state is Gangtok. The state of Sikkim can be divided into four regions and they are North Sikkim, South Sikkim, East Sikkim and West Sikkim. Lying at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain Range, Sikkim is a picturesque state which is home to verdant landscapes and snow-capped peaks. The name was derived from the expressions ‘Su’ and ‘Him’ that mean a beautiful house. Around 40% of the overall territory of Sikkim is wooded.
Geographical location of Sikkim
The coordinates of the state of Sikkim (Gangtok) are 27.33° North latitude and 88.62° East longitude. Sikkim shares its boundaries with the Tibet Autonomous Region (China) in the north and east, Nepal to the west, and Bhutan in the east.
Some interesting facts and figures about Sikkim
Area: 7,096 km2 (2,740 sq miles).
Elevation: Ranging from 280-8,585 meters (920-28,000 feet).
Climate: Majority of the peopled areas in the state experience a temperate weather in the summer months. During summer in Sikkim, the maximum temperature is 28°C and the minimum temperature is 13°C. The maximum temperature during winter is 15°C and the minimum temperature frequently goes down below 0°C.
Rainfall: The average annual rainfall is around 325 cm or 128 inches.
Largest city: Gangtok
Capital city: Gangtok
Population: 610,577 (2011)
Chief Minister: Pawan Chamling
Languages Spoken: English, Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, Gurung, Newari, Sherpa, Magar and Tamang tribal languages.
Best season to visit: From March to May.
State symbols
Animal: Red Panda
Bird: Blood pheasant
Tree: Rhododendron
Flower: Noble Orchid
The major places of interest in the state of Sikkim
The Government of Sikkim has taken a number of initiatives to develop the travel and tourism sector of the state. For the convenience of tourists, all the tourist draws in the state have been categorized into four parts: East, West, North and South Sikkim. Therefore, the most famous tourist attractions in the state of Sikkim are as follows: