SIKKIM: AN OVERVIEW:The early history of sikkim starts in the 13^th century with the signing of a brotherhood treaty between the Lepcha Chief Thekong-thek and Tibetan prince Khe-Bhumsa at Kavi in north sikkim, historical visit of revered saints at Yuksam in 1641 in west sikkim and beginning of Namgyal dynasty in sikkim in 1642. with the march of history, events also brought a change from monarchy to democracy and sikkim became an integral part of the Indian Union in 1975. sikkim lies in the heart of the towering Eastern Himalayas; and is bounded by Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the South East, Tibet in the north east and the district of Darjeeling (west Bengal) in the South. Sikkim has a varied topography, with the elevation ranging from 800feet. Most of the 7.300 sq. Km. of Sikkim consists of mountainous terrain, interspersed with ravines and green valleys. The two main rivers are Tista, originating from the Tsolham Lake in North Sikkim; and Rangit, originating from the Rathong Glacier in West Sikkim. Khanchenjunga situated on Sikkim’s Western border with Nepal, dominates the land with its awe-inspiring beauty and majesty and its splendid height of 28,208 feet which makes it the third highest mountain in the world. There are over 4,000 Species of different plants. Forests consisting of fir, oak, sal, chestnut, birch, maple etc., cover almost a third of Sikkim. There are also varieties of moss, forn, bamboo profusely in the alpine zones, covering entire hillsides with their splash of attractive colours.

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