Cities in Himachal Pradesh: District, Area and Population
Situated in the western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is one of the 13 mountain states having several peaks and extensive river systems. Being the northernmost state of India, it shares its borders with Ladakh and the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the south, Punjab to the west, Uttarakhand to the southeast and Haryana to the southwest.
Read along to know all about the cities in Himachal Pradesh.
List of Cities in Himachal Pradesh
Here is a list of cities in Himachal Pradesh with the details of area, population and other factors to help you explore the best places and settle. In this regard, here is a category of these cities for your convenience.
| Name of the City | District | Area | Population (Subject to Change) |
| Shimla | Shimla | 35.34 km² | 1,131,474 |
| Dharamsala | Kangra | 27.6 km² | 41,000 |
| Solan | Solan | 33.43 km² | 53,000 |
| Mandi | Mandi | 23 km² | 36,000 |
| Palampur | Kangra | 14.96 km² | 4,800 |
| Baddi | Solan | 6.99 km² | 40,000 |
| Nahan | Sirmaur | 298 km² | 39,000 |
| Paonta Sahib | Sirmaur | 8.6 km² | 34,600 |
| Sundarnagar | Mandi | 244.52 km² | 33,400 |
| Chamba | Chamba | 20.74 km² | 27,300 |
| Una | Una | NA | 25,700 |
| Kullu | Kullu | NA | 25,400 |
| Hamirpur | Hamirpur | 5.2 km² | 24,100 |
| Bilaspur | Bilaspur | NA | 18,700 |
| Manali | Kullu | 751.73 km² | 11,100 |
Disclaimer: The data provided for each city can vary according to the sources and is subject to change with time. This is a generalised list of cities with no categorisation. Refer to government sites for more accurate details.
Interesting Facts About the Cities in Himachal Pradesh
Here are some interesting facts that you should know about the top cities in Himachal Pradesh:
- The state of Himachal Pradesh has 2 capitals, Shimla and Dharamshala. Dharamshala was announced as the winter capital of this state to improve the lower-lying areas like Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur and Una.
- Hindi and Pahari are the 2 principal languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh.
- Himachal Pradesh is the least corrupt state in India after the southern state of Kerala. Hence, tourists can enjoy a hassle-free vacation without worrying about being overcharged.
- This state has a higher literacy rate of 83.78%, ranking as the 11th highest literacy rate in India as per the census of 2011. Additionally, it consists of nearly 17000 educational institutes, 3 universities, 1 engineering college and 2 medical colleges.
- The state of Himachal Pradesh is home to 2 National Parks and 33 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Himachal Pradesh houses the largest glacier in Asia, Bara Shigri which literally means 'Great Glacier', 'Shigri' means boulder-covered ice. This glacier is located in Lahaul & Spiti. It currently extends over 27.7 Km, covering over 126.45 km².
FAQs About Cities in Himachal Pradesh
Why is the Kalka-Shimla Railway network famous?
Himachal Pradesh is famous for the kalka-Shimla Railway network which holds the Guinness Book of World Records for its steepest rise of 96 Km in altitude that has a crossover of 800 bridges and 100 tunnels. This Toytrain is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why is the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh famous?
The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering approximately 1200 km². This park is home to 10% of the world's and 50% of India's endemic plant species.
What is the highest cricket ground in the world?
The Chail Cricket Ground is the highest cricket ground in the world, situated in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1891, this ground is located 8018 ft above sea level.
Why is Manali-Leh National Highway famous?
The Manali-Leh National Highway is famous for being the highest motorable road in the world. It starts from Atari, adjacent to the Indo-Pakistan border, and ends at Leh via Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
What are the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh?
The best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh are Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamshala and McLeodganj, Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Kasol, Kasauli, Kufri, Palampur, Kangra and more.