South Tripura District is one of the four administrative districts of Tripura with its headquarters located at Udaipur. The district is situated approximately between longitude 91 degrees 18 minutes and 91 degrees 59 minutes east and between latitude 22 degrees 56 minutes and 23 degrees 45 minutes north.
South Tripura District is bounded on the north by Dhalai District and West Tripura District, while on the other sides by international border with Bangladesh. The total geographical area of South Tripura District is 224 sq kms which is about 25 percent of the total area of the state.
History of South Tripura District
South Tripura District with its headquarters at Udaipur was created in the year 1970. Udaipur, Tripura is popularly known as the city of lakes and was the capital of Tripura till 1760. The city is famous for its Mata Tripura Sundari Temple which is situated about 3 km away from Udaipur at Matabari.
Geography of South Tripura District
Geography of South Tripura District comprises three principal hill ranges. South Baramura and Deotamura hill ranges are completely in South Tripura District while a part of Atharamura hill range also comes in the district. Deotamura is the principal hill range of South Tripura District having a length of 85 kms and forms the boundary between Amarpur and Udaipur Sub-Division. Climate of this district is mostly warm and is characterized by a humid summer and a dry cool winter with plenty of rains during July to October. Rainfall is received from the South-West Monsoon, which normally breaks in the month of May. Autumn and spring seasons are of very short duration. Average annual rainfall in the district is about 2000 mm and the temperature varies between a maximum of 35.23 degree Celsius and a minimum of 7.43 degree Celsius. Variation in temperature is comparatively lower during rainy season. Major rivers flowing through South Tripura District are Gomti River, Muhuri and Feni.
Demography of South Tripura District
According to the population census in the year 2011, South Tripura District had population of 875,144 of which male and female were 447,124 and 428,020 respectively. The population of South Tripura District constituted 23.84 percent of total population of Tripura. The average literacy rate of South Tripura in 2011 was 85.41 percent compared to 69.90 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 90.94 and 79.64 respectively. The total literate in South Tripura District were 654,503 of which male and female were 355,784 and 298,719 respectively. In 2001, South Tripura District had 459,502 in its district. Major tribes in the district are Tripuri tribe, Jamatia tribe, Reang, Chakma tribe and Halam tribe. Language spoken by majority of the population is Bengali language while the tribal communities mainly speak Kokborok language.
Economy of South Tripura District
Economy of South Tripura District is agrarian as agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the population. However, only 31.61 percent of the land in the district is cultivable. Paddy is the main food crop grown in the district. Potato, sugarcane, jute, mustard, etc. are some other crops grown in this district. Tea, coffee, rubber, jackfruit, banana, mango, pineapple, etc. are the major plantation crops.
Tourism in South Tripura District
Tourism in South Tripura District means visits to several religious and historical sites. Tripura Sundari Temple, Bhuvaneswari Temple, Shiv Bari and Tin Mandir, Debatamura, Pilak, Tirthamukh, Trishna WildLife Sanctuary and Deer Park and Patichari are some of the major attractions of this district. Travellers from various parts of the country come and visit this region. The unique tribal culture of the district also attracts the travellers.
Cane and Bamboo crafts, weaving on indigenous and modern handlooms, carpentry and pottery are some of the major arts and crafts in South Tripura District.
