Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are two states in the northern Indian Himalayas. The following is a comparison between these two states. Let’s read.
Uttarakhand vs Himachal Pradesh
Which state is larger in area, Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh is just a tad larger than Uttarakhand.
- Area of Uttarakhand – around 53,500 sq km
- Area of Himachal Pradesh – around 55,670 sq km
Which state is more populous, Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh?
The population of Uttarakhand is larger as compared with Himachal Pradesh as per the last census. This is understandable as Uttarakhand has more plain area in which big cities like Haridwar, Haldwani, and Roorkee thrive.
- Population of Uttarakhand – around 1 crore (2011 census)
- Population of Himachal Pradesh – around 69 lakh (2011 census)
Tourism
Both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are popular travel destinations as they are located in the Himalayas. Both these states have important religious and spiritual sites, popular trekking routes, and some of India’s best National Parks. Uttarakhand is visited more by spiritual travelers. Himachal Pradesh on the other hand, is popular for leisure and adventure.
Overview
| Uttarakhand | Himachal Pradesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | around 53,500 sq km | around 55,670 sq km |
| Area rank | 19th | 18th |
| Population (2011 census) | around 1 crore | around 69 lakh |
| Population rank (2011 census) | 21st | 22nd |
| Capital City | Bhararisain (summer) and Dehradun (winter) | Shimla (summer) and Dharamshala (winter) |
| Largest City | Dehradun | Shimla |
| Statehood | 9 November 2000 | 25 January 1971 |
| Most spoken langauge | Hindi | Hindi |
Geography
| Uttarakhand | Himachal Pradesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Indian Himalayas | Indian Himalayas |
| Major Rivers | Ganga, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Sarju, Kali, Ramganga, etc. | Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi, Parbati, Spiti, etc. |
| Borders | Tibet in the north, Uttar Pradesh in the south, Himachal Pradesh in the west, and Nepal in the east. | Ladakh in the north and northeast, Jammu and Kashmir in the northwest, Tibet in the east, Uttarakhand in the southeast, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana in the South, and Punjab in the west and southwest. |
| Highest mountain peak | Nanda Devi (7,816 m) | Reo Purgyil (6,816 m) |
| Forest cover (2021) | 45.44 % | 27.73 % |
| Major soil type | Mountain soil | Mountain soil |
| Largest district | Chamoli | Lahaul and Spiti |
| Coastline | No | No |
| International border | Yes | Yes |
State symbols
| Uttarakhand | Himachal Pradesh | |
|---|---|---|
| State bird | Himalayan Monal | Western Tragopan |
| State animal | Alpine musk deer | Snow leopard |
| State tree | Rhododendron arboreum (Burans) | Deodar cedar |
| State flower | Brahma Kamal | Rhododendron campanulatum (Pink Rhododendron) |
(Also read: 10 major mountain ranges in India | subranges | destinations)
Popular places to visit in Uttarakhand
Haridwar, Rishikesh, Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Mussoorie, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Mana village, Dehradun, etc.
Popular places to visit in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasol, Kufri, Dalhousie, Spiti Valley, Kaza, Tirthan Valley, etc.
6 National Parks of Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Gangotri National Park
- Govind National Park
- Nanda Devi National Park
- Rajaji National Park
- Valley of Flowers National Park
5 National Parks of Himachal Pradesh
- Great Himalayan National Park
- Inderkilla National Park
- Khirganga National Park
- Pin Valley National Park
- Simbalbara National Park
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