Sikkim

Sikkim, a state in India, is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the eastern Himalayas. It is one of the smallest states in India and is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast, Bhutan to the southeast, and the Indian state of West Bengal to the south. The capital is Gangtok, in the southeastern part of Sikkim.

The people of Sikkim are a fascinating mix of three ethnic groups - the Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. These different communities intermingle freely and have created a Sikkimese culture that is unique and interesting, yet still manages to preserve each community's individual identity. The predominant communities in Sikkim are the Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. Each community brings its own customs and traditions to the table, resulting in a rich tapestry of culture that is evident in everything from the temples and monasteries to the churches, mosques and Gurudwaras.

There are four districts in Sikkim – East Sikkim, North Sikkim, South Sikkim and West Sikkim. The district capitals are Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi and Gyalshing respectively. These four districts are further divided into 16 subdivisions; Pakyong, Rongli, Rangpo and Gangtok are the subdivisions of the East district. Soreng, Yuksom, Gyalshing and Dentam are the subdivisions of the West district. Chungthang, Dzongu, Kabi and Mangan are the subdivisions of the North district. Ravongla, Jorethang, Namchi and Yangyang are the subdivisions of the South district.

The state's official languages are English, Nepali, Sikkimese (Bhutia) and Lepcha. Additional languages that are recognized and used officially include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang in order to preserve the diverse range of cultures and traditions represented within the state.