History
Dharamsala came into existence in 1849.Dharamsala eventually became the administrative capital of Kangra District in 1852.However, the town was virtually destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1905, which killed an estimated 20,000 people.Dharamsala still experiences frequent minor earthquakes.
When the Dalai Lama left Tibet, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru offered to permit him and his followers to establish a "government-in-exile" in Dharamsala in 1960. Since then, many Tibetan exiles have settled in the town, numbering several thousand. Most of these exiles live in Upper Dharamsala, or McLeod Ganj, where they established monasteries, temples and schools. The town is sometimes known as "Little Lhasa", after the Tibetan capital city, and has become an important tourist destination with many hotels and restaurants, creating a resurgence in tourism and commerce.Since 2002, Dharamsala has hosted a Miss Tibet beauty contest. there. The winter capital Dharamsala has its secretariat at Sidhbari and the government would run for 2 months from there.
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Geography and Climate
Dharamsala is located at 32.2167° N 76.32° E, with an average elevation of 1457 metres or 4780 feet. The area covered by Dharamsala is almost 29 km².During the months of December and January, snow and sleet is common. Summer temperatures range from 22 °C to 38 °C. It is very cold in winter as Dhauladar range of hills, at over 15000 feet, is close by and covered with thick snow during winter and sometimes in Autumn and Spring.
As of the 2001 India census,Dharamsala had a population of 19,034. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Dharamsala has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%,male literacy is 80% and, female literacy is 73%. In Dharamsala, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
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Economy
Tibetans in Dharamsala sustain an economy simply by being Tibetan. While they are denied refugee aid from the United Nations thanks to China’s permanent veto power on the Security Council, the tourism that the Dalai Lama and the Buddhist community bring to the region make Tibetans one of the wealthiest refugee communities in the world. The Institute of Buddhist Dialects is funded by private donors as well as the Belgian government. The medical college in Dharamsala receives major funding from German donors. And the support of wealthy celebrities like Richard Gere, Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, and Philip Glass is a big help, too
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Flora and Fauna
The animals and birds that are found here are Ghoral,Kakar,Kastura,Aimu,Ibex,Blue mountain sheep,Thar,Black Bear,Brown Bear,Panther or Leopard,Snow Leopard,Wild Boar,Spotted Deer of Chital,Samber,Porcupine,Flying squirrel and Himalayan Pine Martin. Apart from the important game animals described above animals like Jackal, Monkey, Langoor, Fox etc. are also met within the area.
There is a variety of birds in the district like Monal pheasant, Snow cock, Western horned tragopan, Juguriam, Pea-cock, Ring dove, Spotted dove, shikara, parrot, tawny eagle, green pigeon, pigeon, gritton vulture, tits, nut cracker, Pies, Wood peaker, Crow, Himalayan fly catcher, etc. which are found in the tract of this district.
The natural features surrounding the town include rich forests of Pine and Deodars. Rice, wheat and tea are grown around Dharamsala.
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