Sikkim (Limbu (Limbu language): AudioLif-Sikkim.oggSikkim, Tibetan (Standard Tibetan): Langbo???????????, bras ljongs; Denzong; "Demojongs i.e. the Goodly Region, or Shikim, Shikimpati or Sikkim of the English and Indians....") is a landlocked Indian state (States and territories of India) nestled in the Himalayas. It is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa. This thumb-shaped state borders Nepal in the west, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and the east and Bhutan in the southeast. The Indian state of West Bengal borders Sikkim to its south. Despite its small area of convert7096km2abbr=on, Sikkim is geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas. The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine (alpine climate). Kangchenjunga, the worlds third-highest peak, is located on the border of Sikkim with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination owing to its culture, scenic beauty and biodiversity.

Legend has it that the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche visited Sikkim in the 9th century, introduced Buddhism and foretold the era of the monarchy. Indeed, the Namgyal dynasty was established in 1642. Over the next 150 years, the kingdom witnessed frequent raids and territorial losses to Nepalese invaders. It allied itself with the British (British Empire) rulers of India but was soon annexed by them. Later, Sikkim became a British protectorate and merged with India following a referendum in 1975.

Sikkim has 11 official languages (Official languages of India): Nepali (Nepali language) (lingua franca), Bhutia (Bhutia language), Lepcha (Lepcha language) (since 1977), Limbu (Limbu language) (since 1981), Newari (Newari language), Rai (Rai language), Gurung (Gurung language), Mangar (Mangar language), Sherpa (Sherpa language), Tamang (Tamang language) (since 1995) and Sunwar (Sunwar language) (since 1996). English (English language) is taught at schools and used in government documents. It is the only state in India with an ethnic Nepalese (Demographics of Nepal) majority. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Gangtok is the capital (Capital (political)) and the largest town. Sikkim has a booming economy dependent on agriculture and tourism, and has the only open border (Nathu La) between India (Republic of India) and China (Peoples Republic of China).