Location

Assam is located in the northeast corner of India, just south of the most easterly range of the Himalayan mountains.   The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, which flow out of the Himalayas, create a "braided" floodplain that at times is 16 km. wide.

It is one of the "Seven Sister States" (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya), and connected to the rest of India by only a narrow strip of land in West Bengal called the Siliguri Corridor.  Assam shares international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh, and closely associated with the cultures, people and climate of Southeast Asia. 

Climate, Environment & Economic Contributors

With a “Tropical Monsoon Rainforest" climate, summer temperatures reach 35-38 °C.  Winters are cool, with temperatures often dropping to 6-8 °C.   Heavy monsoon downpours reduce summer temperature, and the region often experiences foggy nights and mornings in winter. Spring (Mar-Apr) and Autumn (Sept-Oct) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and temperature.

The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods and frequent mild earthquakes. Strong earthquakes are rare - the most recent serious occurence was in 1950 (8.6 on the Richter scale).

Assam is a region of rich biodiversity.  It consists of tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo groves and numerous wetland ecosystems.  Many are now protected as national parks and reserve forests - Kaziranga, home to the rare one-horned Indian rhinoceros, and Manas, and both have been designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

Wildlife native to Assam includes elephant, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros, gibbon, deer and many bird varieties

Assam is rural and agricultural.  Tea is cultivated in many regions.  The Brahmaputra River  valley is important for rice - the major food product of Assam. Other agricultural products include jute, sugarcane, citrus fruit, potato, banana, papaya, areca nut , mustard seed and turmeric.   Silkworm raising is common in many areas.

Culture

Assam has a population in excess of 28,000,000.  It is a multi-ethnic society with a highly diversified culture.  More than forty-five different languages are spoken by different communities, including Dimasa, Karbi, Singpho, Mising and Bodo - each with a distinct dress and culture.

Artist and sculptors, masons and architects, and others practicing minor crafts such as weavers, spinners, potters, goldsmiths, artisanns of ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and hide flourished in Assam from ancient times. Weaving is the traditional craft of the Assamese, and the women of almost every household take pride in their possession of a handloom. They use their handloom to produce silk and/or cotton clothes of exquisite designs. Eri, Muga and Pat are the important silk varieties in Assam.

The most important social and cultural celebrations are the Bihu festivals, observed with great enthusiasm irrespective of caste, creed and religious affinity. Rangaali Bihu, celebrated in mid-April, is the most important one. It is observed by dancing and singing in open spaces as well as in the houses. The second important Bihu, Magh Bihu, is a harvest festival celebrated in mid-January. It is celebrated with community feasts and bonfires. It is also known as the Bhogaali Bihu ("bhog" means enjoyment and feasting). The third Bihu festival is observed in mid-October. It is known as the Kangaali Bihu ("kangaali" means poor) because by this time of the year which is before the harvest is brought home, the stock of foodgrains is low in a common man's house.

The Assamese also observe pan-Indian religious festivals such as Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Diwali and the Eids.

For more information on culture, visit

http://www.assam.org/pages/assamese-people-and-their-culture