India is a country in South Asia, which consist of 29 states and 7 Union Territories. These states and union territories, all together form India, the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area.
The total area of India is 32,87,590 km², which is about 2% of the total area of the world.
Bounded by 7 countries, India has a diverse geography, that comprises of plains, mountains, desert, plateau and coastline. This post describes about the Top 10 Smallest States in India area wise:
Haryana is one of the fastest developing states in India and placed in 10th position in the list of top 10 smallest states in India area wise. Founded in the year 1966, Haryana is a landlocked state bordered by Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
Haryana comprises of 21 districts and out of them Gurgaon, known as the City of the Millenium is the most developed city of the state and a centre of numerous multinational companies. Some other major districts of Haryana are Faridabad, Ambala, Rohtak, Karnal and Hissar.
Area: 44,200 km²
Kerala, also known as God’s Own Country with an area of 38,863 square kilometres is the ninth smallest state in India. Located in South-West Region of India, Kerala was founded in the year 1956 and shares border with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Situated between the Western Ghats and the Lakshadweep Sea, Kerala comprises of 14 districts and out of them Palakkad is the largest district with an area of 4,480 square kilometres. Due this location, Kerala has a humid equatorial tropic climate in maximum part of the year.
Kerala is also the largest producer of spice and rubber in India. Some of the spices produced by Kerala are Cardamom, Cinnamon and Pepper.
Area: 38,863 km²
Meghalaya is the next smallest state in this list, which was formed in the year 1972 by taking out two districts of Assam. Meghalaya is a North-Eastern state of India with an average rainfall of 12,000 mm, which makes it the wettest region of the country.
Meghalaya comprises of 11 districts, which are rich in forests and known for offering biodiversity of plants and animals. The area covered by forests in Meghalaya is more than 15,000 square kilometres, which is about 70% of the total area of the state.
Area: 22,429 km²
Another North-Eastern State, Manipur is next on this list, which came into existence as a state in the year 1972.
Bordered by Myanmar, Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland, Manipur has 9 districts, which are rich in vegetation, that account for 64% of the total area of the state.
Area: 22,327 km²
With an area of 21,081 square kilometres, Mizoram has occupied 6th place in the list of top 10 smallest states in India area wise. Mizoram is another North-Eastern state of India and formed as a state in the year 1987.
Mizoram is a densely forested state with more than 90% of the area of the state under forest. These are the Tropical Moist Forests, which are found in the areas, which receive high rainfall.
Area: 21,081 km²
5th position of this list is occupied by Nagaland, which has an area of 16,579 square kilometre.
Nagaland is another North-Eastern state, which became part of India in the year 1963.
Area: 16,579 km²
Founded in the year 1949, Tripura is the next state in this list, which comprises of valleys, plains and hill ranges. Tripura is a landlocked state bordered by Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam.
Due to the presence of Tropical Savanna Climate, Tripura receives a high amount of rainfall throughout the year. This climate is suitable for forest and the state has more than 50% of the total area of the state under forest cover.
Area: 10,486 km²
Sikkim is a North-Eastern state of India, which became part of India as a state in the year 1975. Bordered by West Bengal, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, Sikkim is the third smallest state in India area wise and comprises of four districts.
Area: 7,096 km²
Goa, the richest state of India stand at 2nd in the list of top 10 smallest states in India area wise. Goa is a small state of India with an area of 3,702 square kilometre and bounded by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Goa consist of two districts, which are North Goa and South Goa. North Goa has an area of 1,736 km² whereas the area of South Goa is 1,966 km².
Apart from being the second smallest state in India, Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and visited by millions of domestic and international tourists every year.
Area: 3,702 km²
With an area of 1,483 square kilometres, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is the smallest state in India area wise, which became state in the year 1992.
New Delhi is the capital of NCT of Delhi and also the capital of India. NCT of Delhi comprises of 11 districts and out of them North West Delhi is the largest district with an area of 440 square kilometre.
NCT of Delhi is a landlocked state, which is bordered by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. NCT of Delhi and some districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh has been given a special status of National Capital Region (NCR). NCR is a huge metropolitan area, which consist of NCT of Delhi and districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
At present, NCR has an area of 34,144 km² and a population of more than 4.4 Crore. NCR play a vital role in boosting the economy of the country and contribute more than 7% in India’s GDP.
Area: 1,483 km2