Meghalaya, known as the 'abode of clouds', is a mesmerizing state in northeast India, rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Carved from Assam on January 21, 1972, it comprises the United Khasi, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills. Covering an area of 22,429 square kilometers, Meghalaya is home to over 3.2 million people, with its capital, Shillong, often dubbed the 'Scotland of the East' by the British due to its lush landscapes and misty hills.

The state shares its southern and western borders with Bangladesh, and its northern and eastern boundaries with Assam. One of the wettest places on earth, Meghalaya's southern Khasi Hills record an astounding 12,000 mm of rainfall annually. Over 70% of the state is covered in forests, renowned for their rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.

A unique feature of Meghalaya is its matrilineal society, where lineage and inheritance pass through the female line. Predominantly agrarian, the state grows crops like potatoes, rice, pineapples, and spices, while also having a notable commercial forestry sector. Though rich in minerals, Meghalaya lacks major industries but serves as a key trading hub with Bangladesh.

Interestingly, a dramatic climate event around 2250 BCE, evidenced by formations in Meghalaya's Mawmluh cave, led to the naming of the Meghalayan Age, a stage in the Holocene epoch. With its central institutions like the North Eastern Council Secretariat in Shillong, Meghalaya continues to be a vital and fascinating part of India's northeast.