About Shillong

About SHILLONG CITY

Facts and Figures

Area      10.36 sq km

Altitude                1,520 metres (4,990 feet)

Population          1,31,719

Languages Spoken          English, Hindi, Khasi, Garo, Assamese

Religion                Christianity

Annual Mean Rainfall     2,954 mm

Maximum Temperature               24.95°C

Minimum Temperature                4.64°C

STD Code             0364

Best Time to Visit             October–November and March–April

Location

The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong lies on the eastern part of the state. Perched at an altitude of 1,520 meters (4,990 feet) above sea level, the city stretches for about 6 km on an elevated tract. It is situated on a plateau bound on the north by the Umiam gorge, on the northwest by the great mass of the Diengiei Hills that rise up to a height of 1,823 meters (6077 ft.) above sea level, and on the northeast by the hills of the Assam valley. The Umshyrpi and the Umkhra rivers, which finally merge and form the Umiam River, water it. Shillong is at distance of 104 km from Guwahati, 295 km from Kaziranga, 578 km from Siliguri and 658 km from Darjeeling.

History

Shillong was a small village until 1864, when it became the new civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. It remained the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for many years. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioner’s Province, it was chosen as the capital of the new administration. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1897, necessitating its complete rebuilding. In January 1972, Shillong became the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya.