Meghalaya literally means abode of the Clouds. Meghalaya is a small state in north-eastern India. It is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide. It is bounded in the south and southwest by Bangladesh and other sides by Assam. Meghalaya is situated just south of the Brahmaputra river and is a compact and isolated state. The state has seven administrative districts - the East and West Garo Hills, the East and West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and the South Garo Hills. Meghalaya is one of the most picturesque and smallest states in India, and the ideal retreat for people in search of beauty and solitude. It is one of the most visited tourist states of India. It is a happy land of breathtaking beauty, undulating hills, rolling grasslands, cascading waterfalls, snaking rivers, terraced slopes, hilly regions and thrilling wildlife. It covers 22,500 square kms. of rolling plateau and lies in a severe earthquake belt. The entire town of Shillong was destroyed in the severe earthquake in 1896. Shillong, the hill town is the capital and the headquarter of the central district of Meghalaya. This beautiful hill station is also known as the “Scotland of East” for its undiluted beauty and considered as one of the most charming places of the entire North East. Khasi, Garo and English are the main languages which are spoken by the people in Meghalaya. The climate of Meghalaya is moderate but humid. Meghalaya is among the wettest places on earth. Cherrapunjee receives annual average rainfall of 450 inches, the highest ever recorded in Asia and the second highest in the world. While the village of Mawsynram, holds the distinction of seeing the heaviest yearly rains.