Sikkim is a very small hilly state in the Eastern Himalayas, extending approximately 114 Kms from north to south and 64Kms from east to west, surrounded by vast stretches of Tibetan Plateau in the North, Chumbi Valley of Tibet and the kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Darjeeling district of West Bengal in the south and the kingdom in Nepal in the west.
The state being a part of inner ranges of the mountains of Himalaya has no open valley and no plains but caried elevations ranging from 300 to 8583 mtrs above means sea level consisting of lower hill, middle and higher hills, alpine zones and snow bound land, the highest elevation 8583 mtrs. being the top of the Mt. Kanchendzonga itself.
The total geographical area of the state is 7096 sq. Kms. but according to 1958-60 survey operation and the gazatteer fo Sikkim, the land area under different utilization categories is 7299 sq. Kms.
The climate of the state has been roughly divided into the tropical, temperature and alphine zones. For most of the period in a a year, the climate is cold and humid as rainfall occurs in each month. The area experience a heavy rainfall due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal.
The rainfall in north district is comparatively less than of the other districts. The general trend of decrease in temperature with increase in altitude holds good every where. Pre-monsoon rain occurs in April-May and monsoon (south-west) operates normally from the month of May and continues up to early October.
The mean temperature in the lower altitudinal zone, it varies from 1.5 degree centigrade to 9.5 degree centigrade. Temperature varies with altitude and slope. The maximum temperature is recorded usually during July and August, and minimum during December & January. Fog is a common feature in the entire state from May to September. Biting cold is experienced at high altitude places in the winter months and snowfall is also not uncommon during this period.
An examination of availble rainfall date shows that the mean annual rainfall is minimum at Thangu (82 mm.) and maximum at Gangtok (3494 mm.) . An isohyatal analysis of these data reveals that there are two maximum rainfall areas (i) South-East quadrant, including including Mangan, Singhik, Dikchu, Gangtok, Rongli etc. (ii) South-West corner including Hilley . In between these two regions, there is a low rainfall region e.g. Namchi.
Rainfall in this area is about half of that in the former areas. There is an area in the North-West Sikkim which gets very little rainfall (even less than 4.9 mm.). This area is having mainly snow -covered mountains. Rainfall is heavy and well distributed during the months from May to early October. July is the wettest month in most of the places. The intensity of rainfall during South-West monsoon season decreases from south to North, while the ditribution of winter rainfall is in the opposite order. The highest annual rainfall for the individual station may exceed 5000 mm. and average number of rainy days ( days with rain of 2.5 mm. or more) ranges from 100 at Thangu to 184 at Gangtok.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Area: 7,200 sq km Capital: Gangtok District:
East: Gangtok( 1,800 m)
West: Gyalzing( 1,600 m)
North: Mangan( 1,200 m)
South: Namchi( 1,400 m)
Climate/Season: Winter - Spring - Summer - Autumn Population of Sikkim: 600,000 (approx.) Commonly Spoken Language: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Hindi, English and Tibetan Religion: Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian
Air Connection: Nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 124 km from Gangtok Rail Connection: The closest railhead is NJP (New Jalpaiguri) 125 km from Gangtok State Animal: Red Panda (Alrus fulgens) State Bird: Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) State Flower: Noble Orchid (Dendrobium nobile) State Tree: Rhododendron (Rhododendron Neveum)
DISTANCE
From
To
Distance
Gangtok
Darjeeling
97 km
Siliguri
Darjeeling
97 km
Gangtok
Pelling (West Sikkim)
125 km
Pelling
Siliguri
147 km
Gangtok
Lachung
125 km
Siliguri
Phuntsholling, Bhutan
166 km
Phuntsholling
Thimpu
177 km
Siliguri
Bhadrapur Airport, Nepal
40 km
Nearest airport:
Bagdogra,s140 km, 4 hrs drive from Gangtok
Nearest rail head:
NJP, Siliguri, 137 km 4, hrs drive from Gangtok
ENTRY FORMALITIES FOR FOREIGNERS
It is mandatory for all foreign nationals have to obtain a special innerline permit for Sikkim which they can get from the Indian Embassy situated in their respective countries. Foreigners can avail only 15 days permit to visit Sikkim which can be renewed. They should be part of a group of minimum 4 persons in order to visit Dzongri (in West Sikkim) for the purpose of trekking. All the permits can be collected from the Indian Missions in different countries. It can also be collected from Foreigners’ Regional Registration Offices in Calcutta, Delhi, Madras & Bombay or the Office of the Assistant Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Sikkim, Calcutta or the office of the Deputy Director (Tourism), Govt. of Sikkim, New Delhi. If you have already come to the region without obtaining proper permits, most travel agencies will assist you in arranging the same from the Assistant Director (Tourism), Govt. of Sikkim, Siliguri or the Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling. Presently permits can also be obtained from Rangpo at the time of entering Sikkim.
Sikkim is a very small hilly state in the Eastern Himalayas, extending approximately 114 Kms from north to south and 64Kms from east to west, surrounded by vast stretches of Tibetan Plateau in the North, Chumbi Valley of Tibet and the kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Darjeeling district of West Bengal in the south and the kingdom in Nepal in the west. 