III.

Population

Arunachal Pradesh has a population of 1,091,117 (2001), giving an average density of just over 13 people per sq km (nearly 34 per sq mi). Itanagar, the state capital, has a population of 16,545 (1991). Smaller settlements include Pasighat, Tawang, and Tezu.

Arunachal Pradesh has a largely tribal society, and its people are of diverse origins and distinct cultures. There are 20 main ethnic groups and more than 50 languages; Assamese, Hindi, and English tend to be used as lingua francas. Animism is the dominant form of religion, but there are also strong Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The Tawang Buddhist monastery, dating from the 17th century, is one of the largest in India; the sixth Dalai Lama was born there.