Uttarakhand (Hindi: उत्तराखण्ड or उत्तराखंड Uttara + Khand i.e. North + Section), is a state in north-west India. It originated out of the Himalayan and adjoining districts of the state of Uttar Pradesh. This happened on 9 November 2000, and Uttarakhand so became the 27th state of the Republic of India.
Uttarakhand has disputed borders with both Tibet Autonomous Region (China) and Nepal. The region is referred to as Uttarakhand in ancient Hindu scriptures and literature, and the term derives from the Sanskrit for Northern Country. In January 2007, the name of the state was officially changed from Uttaranchal, its interim name from independence (and tossed by the then governing BJP) to Uttarakhand. The provisional capital of Uttarakhand is Dehrandun, which is also the rail-head for the near vicinity, and the largest city in the region.
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