Assam

Perhaps the best known of the north-eastern states, because of its association with its tea crop, is Assam. Peoples of distinctly different cultures and trends of civilization settled here - the Dravidians, Indo-Mongols, Tibetans and Burmese are among those who contributed to the creation of this unique community. The soil is very fertile and the climate benign, making it perfect for growing the main food crops of tea, rice and turmeric. There are over 700 tea plantations in the state and more than half of the crop is exported to other states in India and to the rest of the world. Assam is also famous for its exquisite silk.