Minimum Facts that You Should know about Maharashtra.

Minimum Facts that You Should know about Maharashtra.

Maharashtra is a state in the Western part of India. It is the second most populous state in the country. Moreover, it is also the third-largest state by area in India. Maharashtra is currently the wealthiest state by GDP. It also happens to be the most industrialized state in the country.

Maharashtra
Capital & Major Cities	Mumbai Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati
Districts	36
Formed on	1 May 1960
Official Language	Marathi, Varhadi, Khandeshi, Konkani.
Known as/for	The largest producer of sugarcane in India
Physical Characteristics	– To the west is the narrow Konkan coastal lowland. – The Western Ghats, running north-south, separates the coast from the interior – the Deccan plateau. – The Satpuda, hills along the northern border, and the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri Ranges on the eastern border serves as natural limits to the state.
Natural Vegetation	Tropical moist deciduous, tropical semi-evergreen, tropical dry deciduous, tropical thorny vegetation
Major Rivers	– The Narmada river originates in Amarkantak, the highest peak of the Vindhya Range, it flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Gujarat before finally ending its journey in the Gulf of Khambhat – The Godavari river flowing from Brahmagiri Mountain in Maharashtra to Antarvedi into the Bay of Bengal – The Krishna river flowing from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh through Karnataka
Major Regional Festivals	Holi, Rangapanchami, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Nag Panchami, Pola, Diwali
Major Art Forms	– Dance – Lavani, Koli Dance, Dindi, Dhangari Gaja, Kala Warli Paintings – Music – Owi, Abhang, Palane, Marathi Natya Sangeet
Industry	– Oldest & Largest cotton textile industry. – Petrochemical, edible oils processing, fruit canning & preservation, processed forest products, manufacture of agricultural implements, transport equipment, rubber products, electric & oil pumps, lathes, compressors, sugar mill machinery, typewriters, refrigerators, electronic equipment, & television and radio sets, automobiles
Minerals	Manganese, coal, iron ore, limestone, copper, bauxite, silica sand, common salt, bituminous coal, petroleum
Agriculture	Jowar (grain sorghum), millet, and pulses (legumes), Rice, Wheat, Cotton, tobacco, & peanuts (groundnuts), Mangoes, Cashew nuts, bananas & oranges
Geographical Indications	Kolhapuri chappals & Jaggery, Ratnagiri & Devgad Hapus, Mahabaleshwar’s strawberries, Nashik’s grapes, Nashik Valley wine, Jalgaon’s brinjals, Nagpur’s oranges, Solapur Chaddar, Solapur Terry towel, Puneri Pagadi, Paithani sarees & fabrics, Warli painting, Marathwada’s Kesar mango, Dahanu Gholvad chikoo, Jalgaon banana, Mulshi Ambemohar rice & Bhiwapur chili
State Animal	Giant Squirrel
State Bird	Green Imperial Pigeon
State Flower	Jarul
State Tree	Mango
World Heritage Sites	Western Ghats, Ajanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves
Ramsar Sites	—
Biodiversity Hotspots	Western Ghats
Bird Sanctuaries	Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
National Parks	Gugamal National Park Navegaon National Park Sanjay Gandhi National Park Tadoba National Park Pench National Park Chandoli National Park
Biosphere Reserve	—
Wildlife Sanctuaries	Amba Barwa WLS Andhari WLS Aner Dam WLS Bhamragarh WLS Bhimashankar WLS Bor WLS Chaprala WLS Deolgaon-Rehkuri WLS Dnyanganga WLS Gautala- Autram Ghat  WLS Great Indian Bustard WLS Jaikwadi WLS Kalsubai Harishchandragad WLS Karnala WLS Karanja Sohal Blackbuck WLS Katepurna WLS Koyana WLS, Lonar WLS Malvan Marine WLS Mansingdeo WLS Mayureswar Supe WLS Melghat WLS, Nagzira WLS Naigaon Mayur WLS Nandur Madhyameshwar WLS Narnala Bird WLS Navegaon WLS, New Bor WLS New Nagzira WLS Painganga WLS, Phansad WLS Radhanagari WLS Sagareshwar WLS, Tansa WLS Thane Creek Flamingo WLS Tipeshwar WLS Tungareshwar WLS, Yawal WLS Yedsi Ramlin Ghat WLS Umred-Kharngla WLS, Wan WLS (Wildlife Sanctuaries List – India)
Tiger Reserve	Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Navegaon-Nagzira, Bor
Elephant Reserve	—
Marine Protected Area	Malvan Marine, Thane Creek Flamingo