Uttar Pradesh came into being
in January 1950. It is the most populous State of India. It has two
distinct geographic regions - northern hill plateau and the Gangetic
plain. Agriculture is the main occupation of 78 per cent population of
the State. The net cultivated area in the State is 168.01 lakh
hectares^. The principal crops are wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds,
sugarcane and fruit. Major industries in the State are textile, cotton
cloth and yarn, automobiles, cement, sugar, computer software,
brassware, silk, carpets and glass. The State has mineral deposits of
limestone, coal, magnesite, rock phosphate, dolomite and silica sand.
One of the most famous monuments in Uttar Pradesh is the Taj Mahal at
Agra, known the world over for its architectural beauty and grandeur.
Summers in the State are intensely hot, winters cold, and average annual
rainfall is 99 cm.
^ Includes figures for Uttranchal