Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state in India with nearly 90% of population living in rural area. State day is observed on 15th April. State Animal Snow leopard, State Bird Jujurana, State Flower Rhododendron, and State Tree Deodar.The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power (extremely rich in India), tourism and agriculture. Himachal has famous narrow gauge railways tracks Kalka-Shimla Railway (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Shimla is home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink. Himachal Pradesh has 2 major national parks the Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu (now UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Pin Valley National Park was created to conserve the flora and fauna of the main Himalayan range, and cold desert respectively.
Education Status
According to the Census 2011, Himachal Pradesh has a literacy rate of 83.78% (male literacy rate 90.83% and female literacy rate 76.60%).
CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalya Palampur is one of the most renowned hill agriculture institutes in world. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has earned a unique distinction in India for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines. The state has Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti. Besides that there is Himachal Dental College which is the state's first recognized dental institute. There are over 10484 primary schools, 1,056 secondary schools and more than 1,339 high schools in Himachal. For higher education there are 64 General Colleges, 2 Medical Colleges, 1 Homoeopathic Medical Colleges, 12 Engineering colleges, 16 Universities. The state government has decided to start three major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state. In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has became the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child. Himachal Pradesh is also home to several NGOs operating educational institutes in the state such as Deer Park Institute (educational courses in classical Indian wisdom traditions), Dharmalaya Institute (education in architecture in the traditional Kangra style) Shantideva Homeopathic Research Institute (SHRI), NISHTHA etc.