Uttaranchal is also known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods and Goddess) because many sacred sites of Hindus are situated here. Prominent among them are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri (the place where the holiest river of the hindus originates) and Yamnotri, besides the temple of Surkanda Devi and gurudwara Hemkund Saahib. Religious significance apart, Uttaranchal is also a major tourist destination. The hills of the state have some of the most visited hill stations of the country. Towns like Nanital, Almora, Mussorie, Ranikhet, Bhimtal and the like are some of the favorite summer getaways of people from all over India

Uttaranchal became the 26th state of India on 1 November 2000. The state has been carved out of Uttar Pradesh and includes two of the most well known hill stations in India viz. Nainital and Dehradun. It shares international borders with Nepal to the east, while the lower Himalayas separate China in the north. The states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh border it in the west and northwest respectively.The hilly regions of Kumaon and Garhwal have been known as Uttarakhand since the time of the Puranas (ancient Hindu scriptures). In the colonial period, the numerous districts of present Uttaranchal were ruled over by petty hill princes, who owed their loyalties to the British. After independence, the two areas were included in Uttar Pradesh despite pleas by their residents that they were culturally and geographically different from people in the plains. The demand for separation stayed alive over the decades, as the region remained backward as compared to the rest of Uttar Pradesh. The movement gathered momentum in 1994, when Utttar Pradesh police killed more than two-dozen protesters who were preparing for a rally demanding statehood in New Delhi. Dehradun, the capital city, is the biggest town in the region. The well-known tourist destination was established during the time of the Britishers and is known for its picturesque setting, old colonial bungalows, and prestigious private schools (including the Doon School). The 13 districts of UP that are now a part of Uttaranchal are: Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Pauri Garhwal, Rudra Prayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi. Of the three states formed recently, Uttaranchal is the only one that is facing financial problems with a deficit of Rupees 10 billion ($215 million). The states' continued backwardness due to a lack of natural resources and industries is to be blamed for this. However, the new administration will be hoping to put Uttaranchal's potential for producing hydroelectricity (40,000 MW - thanks to numerous rivers and streams) to good use. Udham Singh Nagar The new state includes the controversial area of Udham Singh Nagar, which has all along been demanding non-inclusion in the new state. Why did Udham Singh Nagar want to be left out? The answer is not hard to guess. Udham Singh Nagar is more a part of the plains than the hills. The migrant majority in this part of Uttaranchal (Sikhs, Bengalis) feels more at home with people of the plains as opposed to the residents of the hills. The people here fear that they would face discrimination under the new administration. The state is home to many tourist destinations and sacred Hindu sites. The tourism industry rakes in around Rs 250 crore every year and can make a bigger contribution to the state's exchequer if proper attention is paid to developing it. Other industries like horticulture, floriculture and fruit-processing, which have been lagging behind those in other hilly states of India, are also expected to get a boost with the formation of the new state. Think real skiing happens only abroad? Come to Auli, in Uttaranchal and you'll be pleasantly surprised. 16 km from Joshimath in the Chamoli district, Auli is a skier's paradise. Skiers can enjoy almost 20 km of virgin slopes, which provide excellent opportunities for cross-country, slalom and down-hill skiing events. A 500 meters long ski lift and an 800 meters long chair lift link the upper and lower slopes. Then there are special snow beaters and snow-packing machines to maintain the smoothness of the slopes. The joys of Switzerland are closer than you think!