Kangchenjunga the world's third highest and India's highest
peak (on actual grounds Mount K2 doesn't come in India's
control as it lies in POK) starts from this region and is
located on its border with Nepal.
River Tista and its tributaries flow through the state from
north to south. River Tista is the main waterway of Sikkim.
The Sikkim state boats about its 5 major and numerous
others hot water springs.
These hot springs are known for their medicinal &
therapeutic reasons.
Some of the important hot springs are at Borang, Ralang
and Yumey Samdong.
Ban Jhakri waterfalls which are located near Gangtok is a
major tourist attraction.
Sikkim is known for its rich biodiversity and is the land
known for more than 500 different species of Orchids, 11
Oak species, 23 different varieties of Bamboo trees and over
400 different medicinal plants.
More than 81% are is forest and it has trees such as sals, figs,
bananas at lower elevations. At higher altitudes, there is an
abundance of chair, pine, oaks and maple trees.
Khan-gchendzonga National park is one of the highest
national parks in the world and includes World's third
highest mountain Kangchenjunga.
Yak and musk deer are the main animals found in Sikkim.
Sikkim is the first Indian state known to have implemented
organic farming and is called the first organic state.
GDP of the state is very poor and Sikkim comes on second
last position by GDP rank of all Indian States. If an economy
is measured in terms of GDP per capita then Sikkim stands
at third position among all Indian states (first being Goa,
secong is Delhi). (as per the year 2014 GDP data).
Sikkim's economy is dependent mainly on agriculture and
tourism.
Mineral Resources of Sikkim - Gold, silver, copper, zinc. Main
Industries of Sikkim - most available industries are food
processing, tanning, watch assembly, distilleries, breweries,
flour mills etc.
Main agriculture products of Sikkim - Maize, paddy, millet,
wheat and barley. Orange, potatoes, apples and cardamom
are also produced.
Sikkim has the largest area for Cardamom production and
also it is the highest producer of large cardamom in India.
Sikkim is very rich in many species of orchids.
Sikkim Rhubarb (Rheum Nobile) is huge flowering plant
about 2 mtr maximum height. It is native to Himalayas and
Sikkim especially.
After re-opening of Nath La pass on 6th July 2006, the
state's economy has seen significant growth as it facilitated
the growth of trade and business with Lhasa region of Tibet,
China.