Uttar Pradesh is the most populated and is India`s fourth largest state areawise. Uttar Pradesh is bordered by Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttaranchal and Delhi. Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state of the country. It is a land of unending histories and charms. This state is a land gifted with rich natural wealth. Both international and national tourists get attracted to this place as there are several religious worth exploring. The beauty of Uttar Pradesh is a myth that is never ending. Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the big names in Hindu sacred literature, such as Yajnavalkya, Vashishta, Vishwamitra, Valmiki, Attriyea, Bharadwaja and Kapil lived in this place and inspired millions through the ages.

The two sacred rivers that flow through Uttar Pradesh are the Ganga River and Yamuna River. The most important tourist sites of Uttar Pradesh are the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Dayal Bagh. Moreover, eight of India`s prime ministers hail from Uttar Pradesh and it is an added credit of Uttar Pradesh. The names include Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Charan Singh, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Chandra Shekhar Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

History of Uttar Pradesh
The history of Uttar Pradesh is very much associated with the broad history of India. The state`s history is really old dating back to 4000 year. History states that formerly the area of Uttar Pradesh was occupied by Aryans or the Dasas and their main occupation was agriculture. The Aryans through conquests occupied the adjoining areas. They laid the foundations of Hindu civilisation in the region. It is also mentioned in the history of Uttar Pradesh that during the Aryan inhabitation in the region that epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana, Brahmanas and Indian Puranas were written. The state was the heart of Mahabharata war. The Kosala Kingdom of Ayodhya is said to have been incarnated in the city of Mathura. The Chaukhandi Stupa here marks the spot where Lord Buddha met his disciples. The Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath commemorates Buddha`s first sermon. Besides Kuru, Panchalas, Vatsas, and Videhas etc. formed the early region of the state. These regions were known as Madhyadesa. During Ashoka`s role, several public welfare works was taken up. During the rule of Magadha Empire, Buddhism and Jainism developed into this region. It was a period of administrative and economic advancement. The British East India Company came into contact with the Awadh rulers during the reign of 3rd Nawab of Awadh. There is no doubt that the history of Uttar Pradesh has run concurrently with the history of the country during and after the British rule, but it is also well-known that the contribution of the people of the state in the national freedom movement had been significant.

Geography of Uttar Pradesh
Garlanded by the Ganga and Yamuna, Uttar Pradesh is bounded by Bihar in the east, Madhya Pradesh in the south, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in the west and Uttaranchal in the north and Nepal touches the northern border of Uttar Pradesh. As this state shares an international boundary it assumes strategic importance as far as its defence is concerned. Total area of Uttar Pradesh is 2,36,286 sq kms. This state lies between latitude 24 degree to 31 degree and longitude 77 degree to 84 degree east. In sheer magnitude it is half of the area of France, three times of Portugal, four times of Ireland, seven times of Switzerland, ten times of Belgium and a little bigger than England. The major part of Indo-Gangetic plain or the north fertile plain forms Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is endowed with natural wealth in abundance. This wealth lies hidden below a variety of rocks of different ages found in lofty mountain ranges of the Himalaya Mountains in the north and Vindhya Mountain Range in the south. Uttar Pradesh is also rich in diversity of flora and fauna due to its vast area, big and small rivers, varieties of climatic conditions, and different kinds of soils. The major minerals found in Uttar Pradesh include limestone, dolomite, glass-sand, marble, bauxite, non-plastic fireclay, and Uranium. Sand-stone, pebbles, salt punter, sand and other minor minerals are also found in the state. The plains of Uttar Pradesh have been very rich in natural vegetation which has, however, diminished due to wide-ranging needs of the people. Only a few patches of natural forest are now found scattered here and there in the plains, while such forests are extensively found on a very large scale in sub-mountain and mountain regions which is in Uttaranchal now. About 12.8 percent of the geographical areas of Uttar Pradesh are under forests.

Culture of Uttar Pradesh
The majority of the population of Uttar Pradesh is Hindus. The state is entangled under rigid caste system. The people of the state are strictly orthodox. In the state there is the presence of a mixture of cities and villages as a result some part of the state is traditional and other part is modern. Uttar Pradesh is renowned for its art and architecture. Varanasi is famous for saris and silks, Mirzapur and Bhadohi are famous for carpet making, Agra and Kanpur for their leather craft, Moradabad for its metal ware, Lucknow for its cloth work and embroidery, and the entire state for its pottery all around the world. The important festivals celebrated by the Hindus of Uttar Pradesh are Karva Chauth, Dussehra, Ahoi Astami, Bhaiya Dooj, Shitla Ashtami, Ramnavami, Baisakhi Purnima, Guru Purnima, etc.

Education in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has several general universities and other institutions. Some of the famous universities are Bundelkhand University, Lucknow University, Allahabad University, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Kanpur University, Agra University, M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, V.B.S.Purvanchal University, Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College, the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Indian Institute of Information Technology , National Institute of Technology etc. Female literacy situation in Uttar Pradesh is dismal.

Economy of Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, there is the presence of different types of minerals. Several industries have come up in the region based on the presence of different types of minerals present in the region. The industries are engaged in the manufacturing of scales, letter boxes, furniture, locks, leather goods, scissor, badges and belts, handloom, carpet, glass, electrical goods etc. In the western regions of Uttar Pradesh, majority of the people depends on agriculture and other allied activities. Wheat, pulses, oilseeds, rice, sugarcane, and potatoes are the main crops grown here. Sugarcane is an important cash crop grown here. Apples and mangoes are also produced in this state.

Tourism in Uttar Pradesh
Known for ages for its rich ancient traditions, Uttar Pradesh abounds in places of religious importance. There are also a large number of places which cannot be only called places of pilgrimage but which have great importance from historical and tourist point of view also. The state is specially known for its cultural centres. The UPSRTC or the Uttar Pradesh Road Transportation Cooperation provides transportation services to the people of the state to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. It has also connecting services to Uttaranchal and Delhi too.

Demography of Uttar Pradesh
India`s most populous state is Uttar Pradesh. It has a population density of about 166,052,859 as per the 2001 census. There is an average density of 689 persons per sq km that is around 1,785 per sq metres. Out of the total population Hindu population constitute around 82 percent and Muslim population constitute 17 percent. The main language spoken by the people here is Hindi language but Urdu language is also widely spoken here.

Districts of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous country in India consisting of 175 million inhabitants. It is also the most populous country subdivision in the world. There are 71 districts in Uttar Pradesh and they are grouped into 17 divisions. They are Agra, Azamgarh, Allahabad, Bijnor, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Chitrakoot, Devipatan, Faizabad District, Bahraich District, Bareilly District, Basti District, Mirzapur District, Moradabad District, Meerut, Lucknow, Varanasi, Sultanpur, Farrukhabad and Saharanpur. The largest district in terms of area is Lakhimpur Kheri District. There are 403 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

Administration of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a bicameral legislature and a Governor. The lower house is called Vidhan Sabha and the Upper House is called as Vidhan Parishad. The state has also a high court. The state government`s Department of Planning is responsible for making developmental plan for the state. The state has the presence of a large number of village councils that are known as Panchayats. One of the most developed Panchayats is Shahabad in Maharajganj District of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh is the rainbow land where the diversified Indian culture has blossomed from time immemorial. Blessed with a variety of geographical land and many cultural diversities, Uttar Pradesh, has been the area of activity of historical heroes. Rich and tranquil expanses of meadows, perennial rivers, and dense forest sand and fertile soil, Uttar Pradesh has contributed numerous golden chapters to the archives of Indian history. Dotted with various holy shrines and religious places, full of joyous festivals, it plays an important role in the politics, education, culture, industry, agriculture and tourism of India.