Odisha Map

Odisha is one of the 28 states that lies on the eastern coast of India. The capital of Odisha is Bhubaneswar. The contemporary state was formed on April 1, 1936. Till 1948, Cuttack served as the capital of Odisha then shifted to temple city Bhubaneswar.

Area and population of Orissa

The total area of the state is 155,707 km2 (60,119 sq mi), while the population of Odisha is 41,974,218 as per the 2011 Census. In terms of population, the state is the eleventh biggest state in India, and in area, it holds the eighth rank.

Demographic features of Orissa

About 50.54% of the population of the state is male (21,212,136 ), and 49.46% of the population is female ( 20,762,082). The density of the population in the state is 269/ km2. About 94.35% of the population is Hindus, 2.07% are Muslims, 2.44% are Christian, and only 1.14% are represented by other communities. The official language of the state is Oriya. Other languages spoken in the state are Hindi, Bengali, Santali, and Telugu. The literacy rate is 72.9% (as per the 2011 census.)

Districts of Orissa

The districts of the state are as follows: Angul, Boudh, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Bargarh, Balasore, Cuttack (Kataka), Debagarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Kendrapara, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Nayagarh, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundargarh.

Major cities in Orissa

Other than Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the major cities in Odisha are Rourkela, Brahmapur, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Puri.

Government of Orissa

At present, the Chief Minister of the state is Naveen Patnaik. The Governor of the state is Ganeshi Lal and there are 147 seats in the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of the state. The Legislative Assembly of the state is unicameral. The apex court of the state is the Orissa High Court in Cuttack.

Geographical features of Orissa

The state forms a part of the eastern seacoast of India. The shoreline of the state is comparatively uninterrupted and the length of this shoreline is approximately 485 km. Physiographically, the state can be divided into the following areas:

• The hilly and upland areas in the center - - is a part of Indian peninsula with deep and broad valleys cut by the rivers. The region is fertile, well drained and thickly populated.
• The shoreline flatlands to the east
• The undulating highlands to the west
• The flat terrains in the middle
• The important flood basins

Rivers of Orissa

The major rivers of Orissa are as follows:

The major rivers of Odisha are as follows: Mahanadi (the longest river of the state), Kathajodi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Rushikulya, Vanshadhara, Nagavali, Kolab, Indravati, and Tel Rivers.

Besides, there are several scenic lakes in the state that are top tourist draws like the Chilka Lake, Pata Lake, Anshupa Lake, Indravati Dam, and Hirakud Dam.

Economy of Orissa

The state houses a strong economy with plenty of natural resources and extensive shoreline. The state is rich in natural resources like coal, bauxite, iron ore, and chromite. Steel manufacturing is a major industry in the state. Other industries include transportation, oil refinery, power, information technology, and aluminium.

Educational institutes in Orissa

Given below are the names of the popular educational institutes in the state of Orissa:

Biju Patnaik University of Technology at Rourkela, Berhampur University at Berhampur, C. V. Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneshwar, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, IIT Bhubaneshwar at Bhubaneshwar, Fakir Mohan University at Balasore, National Institute of Science and Technology at Berhampur, KIIT University in Bhubaneshwar, National Institute of Technology Rourkela at Rourkela, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar,, National Law University, Odisha in Cuttack, Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at Bhubaneshwar, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Sri Jagannatha Sanskrit University, Puri, Silicon Institute of Technology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur, Government Ayurvedic College, Bolangir, SCB Dental College in Cuttack, SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Veer Surendra Sai Medical College, Burla, Sri Sri University in Cuttack, Utkal University of Culture at Bhubaneshwar, Utkal University (at Bhubaneshwar), Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla and Vedanta University.

Tourist attractions in Orissa

The top tourist attractions in Orissa are as follows:

The Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneshwar, Chilka Lake, Daringbadi (Darjeeling of Odisha), Pipli, the Sun Temple at Konark, Jagannath Temple (Puri), Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Gharial Sanctuary at Tikarpada, Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitar Kanika National Park, Nandan Kanan National Park, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Belghar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandka Elephant Reserve, Ushakothi or Badarama Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary and Simlipal National Park. The well-known Shiva Temple is closely located in Dhenkanal.

The famous sea beaches in the state are also popular tourist attractions and include Gopalpur-on-Sea, Puri, Ramachandi, Chandipur, Astarang, and Paradeep Beach.

Odisha State Information
Capital	Bhubhaneshwar
Date of formation	15/08/47
Governor	Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
Chief Minister	Shri Mohan Charan Majhi
Tourist attractions	Sun Temple, Konark, Puri, Taptapani
Festivals	Rathyatra, Dol Jatra, Patua Jatra, Chandak Puja
Major dance and music forms	Oddissi, Chitrapada, Dhrubapada, Panchal
Arts and crafts	Pattachitras or palm-leaf ganjifa cards; intricate combs made using bamboo, lacand fabric; Sambalpuri double ikat.
Languages	Oriya
Size	155,707 sq. km
Population (Census 2011)	41974218
Rivers	Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahmani, Tel, and so on
Forests and wildlife sanctuaries	Chilka Lake Sanctuary, Simlipal NP, Bhitarkanika WS
State animal	Sambhar
State bird	Indian Roller
State flower	Ashoka
State tree	Indian Fig tree
Major crops	Paddy, wheat, ragi, maize
Factoids	The 33 sandstone caves on the Udaygiri and Khandagiri hills in Bhubaneshwar were probably carved under King Kharavela.
	Orissa has 62 tribes including the Santhals, Savaras, Juangs, Gonds, Bondas etc.
No. of District	30

Last Updated on : February 21, 2025