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Uttaranchal has traditionally been divided into two parts, the eastern region going by the name of Kumaon and the western half known as Garhwal. The native people of Uttaranchal call themselves Pahari s (hill people), the majority of whom are Hindus. Other ethnic communities in the region include Nepalis, Jadh s, Marcha s and Shauka s and nomadic cattle herders known as Gujjar s.

Uttaranchal is a region of outstanding natural beauty. Most of the northern parts of the state are covered by the high Himalayan ranges and glaciers, while the lower reaches are densely forested. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals (including bharal , snow leopards, leopardThis page is about the animal. For the tank, see Leopard MBT. For the coin, see English coin Half Florin or Leopard. Leopards Panthera pardus are one of the four 'big cats' of the genus Panthera''. The others are the Lion, Tiger, and Jaguar. They range ins and tigerTigers Panthera tigris are mammals of the Felidae family, one of four " big cats" that belong to the Panthera genus. Tigers are predatory carnivores. Tigers are easily recognizable by their stripes and their tawny fur color, which may range from yellow tos), plants and rare herbs. Two of India's mightiest rivers, the Ganga and the YamunaThe river Yamuna is a major river of northern India, with a total length of around 1370 km. It is the largest tributary of river Ganga or Ganges. Its source is Yamunotri, in the Himalayas of Uttaranchal. It flows through the states of Delhi, Haryana and U take birth in the glaciers of Uttaranchal, and are fed by innumerable lakes, glacial melts and streams in the region.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economy of Uttaranchal, with the RajThe British Raj is an informal term for the period of British rule of most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It lasted from 1858, when the rule of the British East India Company was transferred to the Crown, until era hill-stations at Mussorie , Almora , Ranikhet and Nainital being some of the most frequented destinations. To this region also belong some of the holiest Hindu shrines, and for almost 2000 years now pilgrims have been visiting the temples at HaridwarHaridwar is a holy city in the state of Uttaranchal in northern India. Known as the Gateway to the Gods Haridwar is considered one of the seven holiest places according to Hindus, as the devas are said to have left their footprints there. The city also st, RishikeshRishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India. It is 24 kilometers away from another holy city, Haridwar, and is considered an access point for the cities that form the Chardham Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gango, BadrinathBadrinath is one of the four monasteries (called "maths") holy to the Hindus. Together with Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, it is part of the Char Dham, which are visited by thousands of pilgrims annually. It has a temple of Vishnu and a famous hot wat and Kedarnath in the hope of salvation and purification from sin.

Recent developments in the region include initiatives by the state government to capitalise on the burgeoning tourist trade. The state also plays host to some of the worst conceived big-dam projects in India such as the monstrously large Tehri dam on the Bhagirathi-Bhilangana rivers, under construction since 1953 and still incomplete.