Haryana has a proud history, dating back to the Vedic age. It was home to the legendary Bharata dynasty, which gave the name Bharat to India. Haryana is bounded by
in the east, Punjab
in the west,
in the north and
in the south. The union territory of Delhi
is landlocked on 3 sides by Haryana. The only river flowing through Haryana is the Ghaggar
, which runs along the northern fringes. The climate is of a pronounced character - very hot in summer and markedly cold in winter.
Chandigarh is the shared capital of the states of Haryana and Punjab. The total area is 44,212 sq km. Hindus constitute about 90 percent of the population. Jats (a peasant caste) form the backbone of the agricultural economy.
Haryana has a very fertile land. Most of the land is suitable for agriculture and 60 percent is irrigated. The important crops are wheat, rice, sugarcane, potatoes, barley, millet and maize. The state is well known for handloom products. The industries include cotton and woolen textiles, scientific instruments, glass, cement, paper and sugar milling, automobiles, tyres, bicycles, and electronic equipments.
Haryana has a network of 44 tourist complexes and it attracts around 7 million tourists every year.