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Name of state
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Uttaranchal
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General information
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Uttaranchal is an Indian state based very close to the Himalayan peaks. The traditional name of the state is ‘Uttarakhand’ which is a derived Sanskrit word meaning ‘North Country’. The state is a hilly region with dense forests. Dehra Dun is the capital of the state. Ganga and Yamuna, two of the holiest rivers of India, start from the glaciers of Uttaranchal. Hinduism is the religion of majority of the population. The native people of the state are called as Garhwali or Kumaoni. Nepali people who have migrated from Nepal years before are also found in the state. The natural beauty and the climate of the place drive thousands of tourists into the state. Six national parks are also maintained by the state. This aids the tourism industry and greatly contributes to the economy of the state.
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Population
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8,479,562 (As of 2001)
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Five of the largest cities
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Dehra Dun, Haridwar, Haldwani, Kashipur, Rurki
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Official language
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Hindi
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Major religions and percentages
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Hindus (84.96%), Muslims (11.92%), Christians (0.32%), Sikhs (2.0%), Others (0.30%) (As of 2001)
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