Kumaon

Kumaon is a geographic and cultural region in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It forms the southern and eastern part of the state, occupying the southern slopes of the Kumaon Himalayas. The region is administered as Kumaon Division, which comprises the districts of Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Udham Singh Nagar. Its northern boundary runs along the higher Himalayan peaks, with Nepal to the east and the Garhwal region lying to the south and west.

The landscape ranges from subtropical valleys to alpine zones. The Kumaon hills host hill stations such as Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani and Mukteshwar, and protected areas including parts of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Jim Corbett National Park. The region is drained by tributaries of the Ganges, including the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins.

The population is predominantly Kumaoni, with Kumaoni and Hindi spoken widely. The culture features distinct folk music, crafts, and fairs; notable religious sites include temples like Naina Devi and various hill temples. Historically, Kumaon was home to the Katyuri and Chand dynasties before becoming part of the princely state and later integrated into Uttar Pradesh and finally Uttarakhand after state formation in 2000. Today, tourism, forestry, and horticulture—especially apple and apricot cultivation—are important economic activities.