South Sikkim district

South Sikkim
दक्षिणी सिक्किम
—  District  —
South Sikkim's location in Sikkim
Coordinates:
State Sikkim
Country India
Seat Namchi
Area
 • Total 750 km2 (289.6 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 146,742
 • Density 195.7/km2 (506.7/sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code IN-SK-SS
Website http://ssikkim.gov.in

South Sikkim (Nepali: दक्षिणी सिक्किम) is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its capital is Namchi.

Contents

Geography

South Sikkim lies at an altitude of 400 to 2000 metres and hence enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year. Major urban centres include Teesta Bazaar and Melli.

Economy

It is the most industrialised district in the state, owing to the availability of flat land. Since the geology is stable the roads are in a good condition as compared to other parts of the state which suffer from landslides. The district is also famous for its Sikkim Tea, which is grown near Namchi.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census South Sikkim district has a population of 146,742 ,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia.[2] This gives it a ranking of 600th in India (out of a total of 640).[1] The district has a population density of 196 inhabitants per square kilometre (510 /sq mi) .[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.57 %.[1] South Sikkim has a sex ratio of 914 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 82.06 %.[1]

The people are mainly of Nepali descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district. It also is one of the lowest populated regions of the state.

Flora and fauna

In 1987 South Sikkim district became home to the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 35 km2 (13.5 sq mi).[3]

Divisions

Administrative divisions

Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim

Tea garden

Scenes from the district

South Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions:[4]

Name Headquarters Number of villages[5] Location
Namchi Namchi
Ravong Ravong

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php. Retrieved 2011-09-30. 
  2. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html. Retrieved 2011-10-01. "Saint Lucia 161,557 July 2011 est." 
  3. ^ Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. "Protected areas: Sikkim". http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm. Retrieved September 25, 2011. 
  4. ^ The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (2011) (in English) (PDF). Sikkim Administrative Divisions (Map). http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/maps/administrative_maps/SIKIM.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-29. 
  5. ^ "MDDS e-Governance Code (Sikkim Rural)" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. 2011. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/MDDS/mdds_dir_Rural_11.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-15. 

External links

North Sikkim
West Sikkim East Sikkim
   South Sikkim    
Darjeeling district, West Bengal
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