GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF NAGALAND

Physically the state of Nagaland is roughly triangular in shape, having an area of 16,579 kms. It is one of the North-eastern states of India, sharing an international border with the adjacent country of Myanmar on the extreme south-east. The state lies between 25⁰  6’N and 27⁰ 4’N latitudes and between 95⁰ 20 ‘E and 95⁰ 15 ‘E longitudes. Nagaland is bounded by the states of Arunachal Pradesh on the North, Manipur on the South, Myanmar (Burma) on the East and Assam on the West.

          Geopolitically, Nagaland is a sensitive state as China lies close to it in the north, Bangladesh on the west with Myanmar alongside, Thailand on the east where the valley of Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thialand merge together forming a common valley known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ which is located on the heels of Nagaland. This valley serves as the central meeting point for these three nations with their respective smuggled goods of all kinds of merchandise.

          Nagaland is a hilly mountainous state with its peaks Saramati (3840 metres) in Tuensang district, Japfü (3014 metres) in Kohima district, Zanübou (2750 metres) and Küpamedzü (2620 metres) both in Phek district. The plain area of the state is limited to Dimapur, Jalukie and adjoining areas with Assam comprising of only 8% of the total area of the state. Kohima, the capital of Nagaland is situated at 1444 metres above sea level.

          Nagaland has a pleasant climate. The climate of Nagaland is generally cool in winter and pleasantly warm in summer specially in the interior places and higher hills. In winter the night temperature comes down between 4⁰ c to 1⁰ in December, January, and February which are the coldest months in the year. The temperature does not rise beyond 32⁰ c and the average summer temperature is 22⁰ c to 27⁰ c.