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FACTS
Languages	:	Hindi, Urdu and Marathi.
Crops	:	Cotton, millets, oilseeds, pulses, rice, wheat and sugarcane.
Industries	:	Chemicals, cement, iron and steel, textiles, paper and sugar.
Airports	:	Raipur
Time to visit	:	September - May
Festivals	:	Vasant Panchami, Sivaratri - Jan, Holi- Feb, Dussehra- Sep, Diwali - Nov.

On November 1, 2000, India gave birth to this new state of Chattisgarh. This is the 26 th state of India. It has been carved out of Madhya Pradesh which is the largest state of India in terms of area. It has Raipur as its capital city. The capital is likely to be shifted to Nandghat, about midway between Raipur and Bilaspur on the banks of the river, Shivnad.

Agriculture is the main activity of this state. About 80% of its population is engaged in agriculture and the state is also known as the Rice Bowl of India. Forest revenue accounts for 40% of its total revenue collections. It also has a good mineral reserve, which includes limestone, iron-ore, copper, phosphate, manganese, bauxite, coal, and mica.

It has 16 districts, which includes the following: Raipur, Dhamtari, Mahasumund, Durg, Rajnangoan, Kawardha, Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir, Raigarh, Jashpur, Surguja, West Surguja, Bastar, Dantewada and Kanker.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Amarkantak	:	Pilgrim center, source of the Narmada river.
Sirpur	:	Temple dedicated to Lord Laxman and Anand Prabhu Town Hall or Victoria Hall where social and cultural functions are held.
Raipur	:	Vivekananda Ashram - started by Swami Vivekananda himself in 1897 Shvetamber Jain temple - pilgrim center for the Jains Kaisar - E - Hind Darwaja - an ancient Gate, built in 1877 to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria of Britain.