Area and population of Orissa
The total area of the state is 60,160 sq miles or 155,820 km2. According to the census conducted in 2011, the population of Orissa is 41,947,358. In terms of population, the state is the eleventh biggest state in India and in terms of area, it holds the ninth rank.
Demographic features of Orissa
About 50.54% of the population of the state are male (21,201,678) and 49.46% of the population are female (20,745,680). The density of population in the state is 269/ km2. About 94.35% of the population are Hindus, 2.07% are Muslims, 2.44% are Christians, and only 1.14% is represented by other communities. The official language of the state is Oriya. Other languages spoken in the state are Hindi, Bengali, Santali, and Telugu. The literacy rate is 73.45% (as per 2011 census.)
Districts of Orissa
The districts of the state are as follows: Angul, Boudh, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Bargarh, Balasore, Cuttack (Kataka), Debagarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Kendrapara, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Nayagarh, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh.
Major cities in Orissa
Other than Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the major cities in Orissa are Rourkela, Brahmapur, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Puri.
Government of Orissa
At present, the Chief Minister The Governor of the state is SC Jamir and there are 147 seats in the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of the state. The Legislative Assembly of the state is unicameral in nature. The apex court of the state is the Orissa High Court in Cuttack.
Geographical features of Orissa
The state forms a part of the eastern seacoast of India. The shoreline of the state is comparatively uninterrupted and the length of this shoreline is approximately 480 km. Physiographically, the state can be divided into the following areas:
- The hilly and upland areas in the center
- The shoreline flatlands to the east
- The undulating highlands to the west
- The flat terrains in the middle
- The important flood basins
Rivers of Orissa
The major rivers of Orissa are as follows:
Mahanadi (the longest river of the state), Kathajodi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Rushikulya, Vanshadhara, Bahuda, Nagavali, Kolab, Indravati, Salandi, and Tel Rivers.
In addition, there are a number of scenic lakes in the state that are top tourist draws like the Chilka Lake, Pata Lake, Anshupa Lake, Indravati Dam, and Hirakud Dam.
Economy of Orissa
The state houses a strong economy with plenty of natural resources and an extensive shoreline. The state is rich in natural resources like coal, bauxite, iron ore, and chromite. Steel manufacturing is a major industry in the state. Other industries include transportation, oil refinery, power, information technology and aluminum.
Educational institutes in Orissa
Given below are the names of the popular educational institutes in the state of Orissa:
Biju Patnaik University of Technology at Rourkela, Berhampur University at Berhampur, C. V. Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneshwar, Central University of Orissa, Koraput, IIT Bhubaneshwar at Bhubaneshwar, Fakir Mohan University at Balasore, National Institute of Science and Technology at Berhampur, KIIT University in Bhubaneshwar, National Institute of Technology Rourkela at Rourkela, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, North Orissa University at Baripada, National Law University, Orissa in Cuttack, Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at Bhubaneshwar, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Sri Jagannatha Sanskrit University, Puri, Silicon Institute of Technology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur, Government Ayurvedic College, Bolangir, SCB Dental College in Cuttack, SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Veer Surendra Sai Medical College, Burla, Sri Sri University in Cuttack, Utkal University of Culture at Bhubaneshwar, Utkal University (at Bhubaneshwar), Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla and Vedanta University.
Tourist attractions in Orissa
The top tourist attractions in Orissa are as follows:
The Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneshwar, Chilka Lake, Daringbadi (Darjeeling of Odisha), Pipli, the Sun Temple at Konark, Jagannath Temple (Puri), Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Gharial Sanctuary at Tikarpada, Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitar Kanika National Park, Nandan Kanan National Park, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Belghar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandka Elephant Reserve, Ushakothi or Badarama Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary and Simlipal National Park. The well-known Shiva Temple is closely located to Dhenkanal.
The famous sea beaches in the state are also popular tourist attractions and include Gopalpur-on-Sea, Puri, Ramachandi, Chandipur, Astarang, Balighai, and Paradeep Beach.
Odisha State Information | |
|---|---|
| Capital | Bhubhaneshwar |
| Date of formation | 15. Aug. 1947 |
| Governor | SC Jamir |
| Chief Minister | Naveen Patnaik |
| Tourist attractions | Sun Temple, Konark, Puri, Taptapani |
| Festivals | Rathyatra, Dol Jatra, Patua Jatra, Chandak Puja |
| Major dance and music forms | Oddissi, Chitrapada, Dhrubapada, Panchal |
| Arts and crafts | Pattachitras or palm-leaf ganjifa cards; intricate combs made using bamboo, lacand fabric; Sambalpuri double ikat. |
| Languages | Oriya |
| Size | 1,55,707 sq. km |
| Population | 4,19,47,358 |
| Rivers | Mahanadi, Baitarni, Brahmani, Tel, Pushkulyam Sabah |
| Forests and wildlife sanctuaries | Chilka Lake Sanctuary, Simlipal NP, Bhitarkanika WS |
| State animal | Sambhar |
| State bird | Blue jay |
| State flower | Ashoka |
| State tree | Ashwatha or peepal |
| Major crops | Paddy, wheat, ragi, maize |
| Factoids | The 33 sandstone caves on the Udaygiri and Khandagiri hills in Bhubaneshwar were probably carved under King Kharavela. |
| Orissa has 62 tribes including the Santhals, Savaras, Juangs, Gonds, Bondas etc. | |
