Uttar Pradesh is located in northern India, known as the most populated state in the country; this state consists of approximately 20 million people. Uttar Pradesh is quite popular among tourists for its culture and tradition and is also the birthplace of many Indian heroes like Ayodhya, Mathura, and Lord Krishna.

This state is very rich in natural resources, including flora and fauna. Uttar Pradesh has served as a natural habitat for wildlife, containing various trees, insects, mammals, and reptiles. Uttar Pradesh is recognized for its avifauna, hosting varieties of birds like doves, quails, bulbuls, woodpeckers, and many more.

Uttar Pradesh is an interesting place to visit; as a tourist, there are undoubtedly many things you will find attractive about this place. Listed below is some general and interesting information about the northern Indian state.

Museums in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has about 87 museums, each consisting of historical artifacts of the state and crafts and art exhibitions. The oldest museum in the state is the “State Museum,” located in Lucknow. This museum, the largest in the state, was established in 1863 by Colonel Abbot.

Other museums in the state include:

  • Archeological museum of Kannaj

This museum is known for its clayey idols; they depict the rich past of Kannauj and its people’s love for art. This museum has a high tourist attraction, with the place being crowded with curious sightseers, especially on weekends.

  • Bharat Kala Bhavan

Located in the Banaras Hindu University complex, Bharat Kala Bhavan museum welcomes many tourists. Because of its beautiful depiction of history, this museum is one of the most popular in the state. Any history enthusiast will find this museum interesting.

  • Gandhi Museum (located in Lucknow)

This museum was established in 1973. As its name states, the museum is dedicated to the infamous Mahatma Gandhi. The museum holds different pictures showing the life of Gandhi from his younger years to his older days.

  • Kamla Retreat

The Kamla retreat museum was established in 1960 by Shri Pandampat Singhania. This museum is located in Kanpur and exhibits different historical antiques that show the city’s rich past.

These museums and others not mentioned here hold artifacts created by gifted and crafty artisans in the state. A visit to these museums will make your tour more interesting, and it will also give you an insight into Uttar Pradesh and its cities.

Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has twenty-five wildlife sanctuaries, which are set up as natural habitats for wildlife. Illegal hunting has become rampant lately, which has endangered various wildlife species. These sanctuaries are established to protect these animals and ensure that they flourish in their natural habitat. Some of these sanctuaries located in Uttar Pradesh include:

  • Hastinapur

This sanctuary hosts a wide range of wildlife, including amphibians, mammals, and birds. Amphibians that can be found there include; pythons, crocodiles, turtles, and cobras; the mammals include bats, leopards, muskrats, and bats. Birds like nightingales, falcons, and cuckoos are also present in Hastinapur.

  • Kaimur Sanctuary

Located in the Kaimur hills, this wildlife sanctuary is the largest in Uttar Pradesh. Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary is replete with a wide range of fauna. It serves as a habitat for many wild mammals, including bears, leopards, and sambar deer. This wildlife-abundant sanctuary also hosts many avifauna, with over 70 bird species.

  • National Chambal Sanctuary

Located in-between Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, this sanctuary covers about 5,400km of land. The sanctuary protects the endangered aquatic animals, specifically the red-crowned roof turtle, crocodiles, and Ganges river dolphins. It is also a habitat for wild endangered species like the wild boar, fox, the Indian wolf, and many more.

  • Dudhwa National Park

This protected area hosts so many wildlife species, which may be the reason for its nickname (garden of Eden). Established in 1958, the park was initially created to protect the swamp deer. It is now working as a national park, housing various bird species and mammals like tiger, rhinoceros, and Bengal florican.

Uttar Pradesh Map

With nearly 200 million estimated population as of 2011, Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous and fourth-largest state. Nepal borders the state on the North, Rajasthan on the southwest, and Himachal Pradesh on the northwest. Madhya Pradesh is on the south, Bihar on the east, and Haryana on the west.

Uttar Pradesh has a total land area of 240,928 square kilometers, making it the top five largest Indian states; Lucknow is its capital. It is home to several rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Betwa, Ramganga, Gomti, and Ghagra. Its state animal is the Swamp Deer, state bird, Sarus crane, state flower, Palash, and Ashok’s state tree. The state is located at the border between Nepal and India, Lat 28.7207609, Long 79.826660.

Major Cities in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a state that has a gross income of 210 billion dollars, making it the second-largest economy in India. This state has 75 districts under 18 divisions, its largest city being Kanpur; Lucknow closely follows it.

Sixty-four cities in the state have a minimum of 100,000 people, with Muzaffarnagar being the most populous. The city has over 700,000 people and a total growth rate of 3.73%. The smallest city is Kasganj which has a population of 101,241. Listed below are some of the major cities located in Uttar Pradesh.

  • Agra

Located in the northern part of India, Agra is known for its various tourist attractions like the infamous Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, Chitor Gates, e.t.c. The languages spoken by its citizens include Hindi, English, Urdu, and Punjabi.

  • Allahabad

Located in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad is both a city and a district. The city was founded in 1583. It is home to two iconic monuments: the Thornhill Mayne Memorial and the Ashoka Pillar.

  • Varanasi

Also known as Kashi, Benares, or Banaras, Varanasi is located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the sacred cities of Hinduism, having constructions for religious bathing. The city’s population is about 1,201,815.

  • Lucknow

Lucknow city is arguably one of the most famous cities in Uttar Pradesh. It houses interesting places for tourism, including Lucknow zoo, Kaiserbagh palace, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, etc. The largest Uttar Pradesh city has an estimated population of 2,817,105.

Conclusion

Even though Uttar Pradesh’s population might cause concern for tourists, it is undoubtedly a good place to visit. Rich in culture and history, this place will teach you a lot of interesting historical facts. Its beautiful natural landscape is worth checking out. With its abundant wildlife species and plant species, you are sure to experience the beauty of nature.