Himachal Pradesh is a glorious mountain state, of crystal lakes, vast stretches of brilliant flowers, ancient shrines and beautiful people. This state lies in the northern part of the country, in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, at an altitude, that varies from 460 to 6600 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Tibet. Himachal Pradesh is girdled by the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges in the northwest, dominated by the great Himalayas in the northeast, and marked with lower ridges of the Shivalik ranges in the southeast.

Himachal has five mighty, snowfed rivers flowing through it - the Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna. Climatically, this state is divisible into two regions - the south which is as warm as the plains, and the north where the summers are temperate, and winters are extremely cold. The people of Himachal Pradesh are simple and unsophisticated, lively and good - natured, with a penchant for colourful fairs and festivals. Most of them are fair complexioned, with sharp Aryan features, while some have pronounced Mongloid features. The clothes of the Himachalis are vibrant, and each region is characterised by a typical dress. The headgear worn by both men and women is the unique feature of their attire. Hindi is spoken throughout Himachal, though each valley possesses its own dialect.

Snowy peaks, rugged slopes and wide valleys offer splendid opportunities, not only for mountaineering, rock climbing and skiing, but also for hand gliding and river rafting. Himachal is an ideal place for trekking enthusiasts, and the trekking routes in the state take you to remote, undisturbed spots. Himachal Pradesh is also a popular site for winter sports. Courses and competitions in skiing and mountaineering, carnivals, cultural evenings, and open air skating facilities form the traditional part of winter sports. Recently added attractions are hand gliding and river rafting.

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