Meghalaya was originally part of Assam, and became its own state on 21 January 1972.
The climate of Meghalaya is moderate but humid, the average annual rainfall going as high as 1200 cm in some areas, making it the wettest state of India. About 1/3 of the state is forested. The ranges of the Garo Hills in the west, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills in the east are not especially high, with Shillong Peak the highest point at 1,965 m. Many caves are known to exist.
Culturally, much of the population consists of the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos, which were among those known to the British as "hill tribes".
Although the state government has been promoting tourism, terrorist groups (ULFA and NDFB) have been using the Garo Hills recently as a base of operations; the rugged forested terrain and the border with Bangladesh make the hills a good hideout.
Districts: