Geography and climate of Bihar

Bihar is a vast stretch of fertile plain. It is drained by the Ganges River, including its northern tributaries Gandak and Koshi, originating in the Nepal Himalayasand the Bagmati originating in theKathmandu Valley that regularlyflood parts of the Bihar plains. The total area covered by the state of Bihar is 94,163 km². the state is located between 21°-58'-10" N ~ 27°-31'-15" N latitude and between 82°-19'-50" E ~ 88°-17'-40" E longitude. Its average elevation above sea level is 173 feet (53 m).The Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal halves and flows through the middle from west to east. Other Ganges tributaries are the Son, Budhi Gandak, Chandan, Orhani and Falgu. Though the Himalayas begin at the foothills, a short distance inside Nepal and to the north of Bihar, the mountains influence Bihar's landforms, climate, hydrology and culture. Central parts of Bihar have some small hills, for example the Rajgir hills. To the south is the Chota Nagpur plateau, which was part of Bihar until 2000 but now is part of a separate state called Jharkhand.

 Climate

Bihar is mildly cold in the winter (the lowest temperatures being in the range from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius; 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Winter months are December and January. It is hot in the summer (with average highs around 35-40 Celsius; 95-105 Fahrenheit). April to mid June are the hottest months. The monsoon months of June, July, August, and September see good rainfall. October,November and February,March have a pleasant climate.

Demographics of Bihar

Bihar is the third most populated state of India with total population of 82,998,509 (,243,795 male and 39,754,714 female). Nearly 85% of Bihar's population lives in rural areas. Almost 58% of Biharis are below 25 years age, which is the highest in India. Density is 881. Sex Ratio is 919 females per 1000 males.Since ancient times, Bihar has attracted migrants and settlers including Bengalis, Turksfrom Central Asia, Persians, Afghans and Punjabi Hindu Refugees during the Partition of British India in 1947. Bihar has a total literacy rate of 47% (59.7% for males 33.1% for females).
Source: Wikipaedia

Geography of Bihar

Bihar is a vast stretch of fertile plain. It is drained by the Ganges River, including its northern tributaries Gandak and Koshi, originating in the Nepal Himalayasand the Bagmati originating in theKathmandu Valley that regularlyflood parts of the Bihar plains. The total area covered by the state of Bihar is 94,163 km². the state is located between 21°-58'-10" N ~ 27°-31'-15" N latitude and between 82°-19'-50" E ~ 88°-17'-40" E longitude. Its average elevation above sea level is 173 feet (53 m).The Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal halves and flows through the middle from west to east. Other Ganges tributaries are the Son, Budhi Gandak, Chandan, Orhani and Falgu. Though the Himalayas begin at the foothills, a short distance inside Nepal and to the north of Bihar, the mountains influence Bihar's landforms, climate, hydrology and culture. Central parts of Bihar have some small hills, for example the Rajgir hills. To the south is the Chota Nagpur plateau, which was part of Bihar until 2000 but now is part of a separate state called Jharkhand.

Climate

Bihar is mildly cold in the winter (the lowest temperatures being in the range from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius; 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Winter months are December and January. It is hot in the summer (with average highs around 35-40 Celsius; 95-105 Fahrenheit). April to mid June are the hottest months. The monsoon months of June, July, August, and September see good rainfall. October,November and February,March have a pleasant climate.

Flora and fauna

Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km², which is 7.1% of its geographical area.^[4] The sub Himalayan foothill of Someshwar and the Dun ranges in the Champaran district are another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consist of scrub, grass and reeds. Here the rainfall is above 1,600 mm and thus promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the area. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta ,Sal Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. Deciduous forests also occur in the Saharsa and Purniadistricts.^[57] Shorea Robusta (sal), Dispyros melanoxylon (kendu), Boswellia serrata (salai), Terminalia tomentose (Asan), Terminalia bellayoica (Bahera), Terminalia Arjuna (Arjun), Pterocarpus Marsupium (Paisar), Madhuca indica (Mahua) are the common flora across the forest of Bihar.

The Ganges River dolphins, or "sois" are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra.This river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India. It is now considered amongst the most endangered mammals of the region.The dolphins range from 2.3 to 2.6 meters in length.They have impaired vision due to the muddy river water but use sonar signals to navigate.Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary ,near Bhagalpur is set up to ensure the protection of this species.

Valmiki National Park, West Champaran district, covering about 800 km² of forest, is the 18th Tiger Reserve of India and is ranked fourth in terms of density of tigerpopulation.^[58] It has a diverse landscape, sheltering rich wildlife habitats and floral and faunal composition, along with the prime protected carnivores.Source: Wikipaedia

The sex wise comparative literacy rates over last six decades of Bihar

Literacy Rate from 1951~2001
SL	Year	Persons	Males	Females
1	2	3	4	5
1.	1951	13.49	22.68	4.22
2.	1961	21.95	35.85	8.11
3.	1971	23.17	35.86	9.86
4.	1981	32.32	47.11	16.61
5.	1991	37.49	51.37	21.99
6.	2001	47.53	60.32	33.57

District wise Literacy Rates of Bihar

District wise Male Literacy Rates during Census 2001
Rank in 2001		District		Literacy rate
1		2		3
1.		Patna		63.82
2.		Rohtas		62.36
3.		Munger		60.11
4.		Bhojpur		59.71
5.		Aurangabad		57.50
6.		Buxar		57.49
7.		Jehanabad		56.03
8.		Kaimur		55.57
9.		Nalanda		53.64
10.		Siwan		52.01
11.		Saran		52.01
12.		Vaishali		51.63
13.		Gaya		51.07
14.		Bhagalpur		50.28
15.		Sheikhpura		49.01
16.		Begusarai		48.55
17.		Lakhisarai		48.21
18.		Gopalganj		48.19
19.		Muzaffarpur		48.15
20.		Nawada		47.36
21.		Samastipur		45.76
22.		Darbhanga		44.32
23.		Banka		43.40
24.		Jamui		42.74
25.		Madhubani		42.35
26.		Khagaria		41.56
27.		West Champaran		39.63
28.		Sitamarhi		39.38
29.		Saharsa		39.28
30.		East Champaran		38.14
31.		Supaul		37.80
32.		Sheohar		37.01
33.		Madhepura		36.19
34.		Purnia		35.51
35.		Katihar		35.29
36.		Araria		34.94
37.		Kishanganj		31.02
District wise  Female Literacy Rates during Census 2001
Rank in 2001		District		Literacy Rate
1		2		3
1.		Patna		52.17
2.		Munger		47.97
3.		Rohtas		46.62
4.		Bhojpur		42.81
5.		Aurangabad		42.04
6.		Buxar		40.36
7.		Jehanabad		40.08
8.		Nalanda		39.03
9.		Kaimur		38.90
10.		Bhagalpur		38.83
11.		Vaishali		38.14
12.		Gaya		37.40
13.		Siwan		37.26
14.		Begusarai		36.21
15.		Saran		35.74
16.		Muzaffarpur		35.20
17.		Lakhisarai		34.26
18.		Sheikhpura		34.13
19.		Gopalganj		32.81
20.		Samastipur		32.69
21.		Nawada		32.64
22.		Darbhanga		30.35
23.		Khagaria		29.62
24.		Banka		29.10
25.		Sheohar		27.43
26.		Jamui		26.92
27.		Madhubani		26.56
28.		Sitamarhi		26.35
29.		West Champaran		25.85
30.		Saharsa		25.31
31.		East Champaran		24.65
32.		Katihar		24.03
33.		Purnia		23.72
34.		Madhepura		22.31
35.		Araria		22.14
36.		Supaul		21.02
37.		Kishanganj		18.49