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Mangan district
District of Sikkim
Kangchenjunga in Mangan district, Sikkim
Kangchenjunga in Mangan district, Sikkim
Country  India
State Sikkim
Headquarters Mangan
Area
 • Total 4,226 km2 (1,632 sq mi)
Elevation
610 m (2,000 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 43,709
 • Density 10.3429/km2 (26.788/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 code IN-SK
Vehicle registration SK-03

Mangan District, also known as North Sikkim, is a beautiful area in the Indian state of Sikkim. Its main town and headquarters is Mangan. It's one of the least populated districts in India, which means it has lots of open spaces and nature!

Exploring Mangan District's Geography

Flowers and nature of North Sikkim India
Wildflowers of North Sikkim
A bridge wildflowers nature Himalayas Yumthang Valley Sikkim India
Flowering trees along stream valleys

Mangan District is the largest of the four districts in Sikkim. It has a very mountainous landscape. You'll see thick forests that reach high up the mountains. As you go even higher, the trees become fewer, and the land turns into a desert-like area called tundra.

Many amazing waterfalls can be seen along the main roads. This makes traveling through the district very scenic. Because the valleys are so steep, landslides can happen. These are caused by melting snow or heavy rains.

Most people in the district live near Mangan, the main town. It is about 610 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level. As you travel further north, the land gets much higher. The plants change from those found in mild climates to those that grow in very cold, high-altitude areas.

Temperatures can range from about 25°C (77°F) to below -40°C (-40°F) in the highest parts. These extreme areas are over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) high. Kangchenjunga, one of the world's highest peaks, is over 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) tall. It sits on the western border with Nepal and can be seen clearly from the town of Singhik.

Economy and Tourism in Mangan

Mangan is famous as the "Large Cardamom Capital of the world." The weather and land here are perfect for growing a big type of Cardamom. This spice is used in many dishes and drinks.

The region also has many power projects. These use the steep mountains and many lakes to create hydroelectric power. This means Mangan District usually has electricity all the time.

In 2006, the Indian government listed North Sikkim as one of the country's "most backward districts." This means it receives special funds to help it develop.

Visiting Mangan District

Much of North Sikkim is a restricted area for visitors. You need special permits to go to these places. This is because the area shares a sensitive border with China. The Indian army patrols it closely.

However, many tourists still visit because of the stunning natural beauty. It's important for visitors to help protect this delicate mountain environment.

Divisions of Mangan District

Mangan District is split into two main administrative areas called sub-divisions.

Lake of crows
Crows Lake
Peaceful valley
Yumthang Valley
Dancing up a storm
Gumpa dance at Lachung monastery
View from Zero Point, North Sikkim
Zero Point Sikkim – After Earthquake, November 2011
Yumesamdong, Zero Point, North Sikkim

Scenes from the district
Mangan subdivision Chungthang subdivisionA clickable map of North Sikkim exhibiting its two subdivisions.


Name Headquarters Number of villages Location
Chungthang Chungthang 9
North Sikkim Subdivisions Chungthang.png
Mangan Mangan 46
North Sikkim Subdivisions Mangan.png

People and Languages of Mangan

In 2011, Mangan District had a population of 43,709 people. This is about the same as the country of Liechtenstein. It is one of the least crowded districts in India. The district has 769 girls for every 1000 boys. About 77.39% of the people can read and write.

Most people in Mangan District are from the Lepcha and Bhutia groups. There is also a Tibetan community.

Religions in Mangan District

Religion in Mangan district (2011)
Buddhism
  
53.35%
Hinduism
  
34.05%
Christianity
  
6.09%
Sikhism
  
1.87%
Islam
  
1.86%
Other or not stated
(mainly Kirat Mundhum)
  
2.8%

Most people in Mangan District follow Buddhism. A good number of people also follow Hinduism.

Languages Spoken in Mangan

Languages of Mangan (2011)      Lepcha (31.71%)     Nepali (23.24%)     Sikkimese (14.41%)     Limbu (8.51%)     Hindi (6.40%)     Sherpa (3.63%)     Tamang (2.56%)     Punjabi (1.75%)     Bhojpuri (1.62%)     Rai (1.22%)     Bengali (1.08%)     Others (3.87%)

Many different languages are spoken in Mangan District. In 2011, the most common languages were Lepcha, Nepali, and Sikkimese. Other languages spoken include Limbu, Hindi, Sherpa, and Tamang.

Amazing Animals and Plants

Mangan District is home to the red panda (Ailurus fulgens). This animal is very special and is the State Animal of Sikkim. It is about 60 cm (2 feet) long, similar to a domestic cat. Red pandas have red fur, a triangular face, and a bushy tail. They usually live in trees at heights between 2,000 and 4,000 meters (6,500 to 13,000 feet).

In 1977, a large protected area called Khangchendzonga National Park was created in North Sikkim. This park covers about 1,784 square kilometers (689 square miles). It helps protect many different kinds of plants and animals. The district also has the Shingba (rhododendron) Wildlife Sanctuary, which was set up in 1984.

Important Towns and Cities

  • Mangan
  • Chungthang
  • Lachen
  • Lachung
  • Phodong
  • Dikchu

Banking Facilities

You can find banking services in Mangan District at these banks:

  • Axis Bank, Lachen
  • Central Bank of India, Mangan
  • Canara Bank, Mangan
  • IDBI Bank, Mangan
  • State Bank Of India, Chungthang
  • State Bank Of India, Mangan
  • State Bank Of India, Kabi Sab
  • State Bank Of India, Lachung
  • State Bank Of India, Phodong
  • State Bank Of India, Dikchu
  • Union Bank of India, Mangan
  • Uco Bank, Mangan

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Distrito de Sikkim septentrional para niños

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