Tura, India

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?Tura Meghalaya • India
Tura
Coordinates: 25°31′N 90°13′E / 25.52, 90.22
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 349 m (1,145 ft)
District(s)	West Garo Hills
Population	58,391 (2001)

Coordinates: 25°31′N 90°13′E / 25.52, 90.22 Tura is a city and a municipality in West Garo Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. One of the largest towns in Meghalaya, Tura is a valley located at the foothills of the Tura Hills and right below the Tura Peak. The climate in Tura is moderate throughout the year and has a large number of interesting and unexpolored areas. The native god Durama was believed to reside in the hills. The name Tura is said to be a corruption (by the British) of the god's name.

It is part of the Siwalik Hills ranges. It is 220 kilometres from the nearest city Guwahati and is also the district capital of the West Garo Hills district. It is filled with small rivulets and green valleys all around. The principal languages are Garo, Bengali, Hindi and English. The city has 4 colleges and a host of good secondary schools. The town has now added another feather to its cap through the opening of an MBA institute in Chandmari.

The capital city of Shillong is 303 kilometres away and can be accessed via buses or the shuttle helicopter service. The border of Bangladesh is situated at a proximity of 35 kilometres.

Tura is a cultural and administrative centre of the Garo tribes. To visit popular tourist destinations such as Balpakram, Nokrek and Siju cave, one needs to pass through this town.

[edit] Geography

Tura is located at 25.52° N 90.22° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 349 metres (1145 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Tura had a population of 58,391. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tura has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 70%. In Tura, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.