Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh, in central India, is a land of forests, waterfalls and rich tribal culture. Almost half its area is under forest, and its plains are so productive that it is called the "rice bowl of central India". Highlights include the Chitrakote Falls on the Indravati river, the caves and forests of Kanger Valley National Park, and the colourful Bastar Dussehra festival.

Ancient Dakshina Kosala lay in this region. The state was formed on 1 November 2000 from the south-eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh. Raipur is the capital, with Nava Raipur developed as a planned new capital city.

The central Mahanadi basin forms fertile plains, surrounded by plateaus and hills – the Maikal range in the north-west and the Bastar plateau in the south. The Mahanadi, Indravati and Hasdeo are major rivers.

Chhattisgarh is one of India's leading producers of coal, iron ore and steel – the Bhilai Steel Plant is among the country's largest – as well as rice and forest produce such as tendu leaves.

Hindi and Chhattisgarhi are spoken widely, along with Gondi, Halbi and other tribal languages. Dhokra metal casting, bell metal craft and kosa silk are famous, and the Panthi and Raut Nacha are popular folk dances.