Top 10 Largest City in Uttarakhand by Area

Uttarakhand is a state in India, also known as the Land of the Gods. It is a diverse state, boasting natural beauty, from the lofty Himalayan peaks to the fertile plains. While many people contemplate the beauty of Uttarakhand, others are curious about its geographically diverse cities. In today's article, we'll explore the top 10 largest cities in Uttarakhand by area.

Why Area Matters for Uttarakhand's Cities

Before we proceed with this article, it's important to understand why area is a useful metric for ranking cities in Uttarakhand. A city's area gives us an idea of ​​the scale of a place, such as how much land its municipal limits cover. Uttarakhand has a variety of terrain, from plains to flat lands. A city's area reflects the extent of urban local bodies' expansion and how they manage infrastructure and growth challenges. In this article, we've compiled this list using district and city area data from the internet. Let's now explore the top 10 largest cities in Uttarakhand by area.

The Top 10 Largest Cities in Uttarakhand by Area

Nainital

Nainital also makes the list of these 10 cities, with an area of ​​4,251 km². Nainital is known for its beautiful lakes and is also a district of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand High Court is also located in Nainital.

Why it's large: Most of Nainital's area is sparsely populated and mountainous, which causes its total geographic area to extend beyond the urban core.

Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh is a sparsely populated city, with a total area of ​​7,090 km², and a large administrative area. Pithoragarh is known for its picturesque hills, and it also boasts several beautiful remote valleys that attract tourists. Pithoragarh also includes numerous beautiful villages and pilgrimage sites, including Adi Kailash.

Chamoli (Gopeshwar)

Chamoli is a district in Uttarakhand, with Gopeshwar as its administrative city. According to some online sources, Chamoli is considered the largest district in Uttarakhand, with an area of ​​8,030 km². The district encompasses numerous vast valleys, glaciers, and high-altitude villages. Many treks in Uttarakhand also begin here.

Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi is a district situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, with a large urban area spanning 8,016 km². Uttarkashi is also considered a Hindu pilgrimage site, being the source of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. Treks to Har-ki-Dun, Dodital, Yamunotri, and Gomukh are also available from Uttarkashi.

Pauri Garhwal

Pauri Garhwal covers a large mountainous region, covering a total area of ​​5,230 km². Pauri Garhwal is known for its scenic beauty, with numerous glacial mountain ranges and treks such as the Kuari Pass Trek, Pangarchulla Peak Trek, and Brahmatal Trek.

Almora

Almora is a district in the Kumaon region, covering an area of ​​3,144 km². Almora encompasses mountain slopes and forested areas, giving it a large administrative footprint. Almora is known for its cultural heritage. The district also has some famous temples, including Kasar Devi, Golu Devta Temple, and Jageshwar Dham Temple.

Dehradun

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand, with a total area of ​​3,088 km². Dehradun is one of the most distinctive cities in Uttarakhand, offering a mix of plains and hills. It is nestled among the Shivalik Hills of the Himalayas, a region known as the Doon Valley.

Haridwar

Haridwar is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site located on the banks of the Ganges River. Its total area is 2,360 km². The city's municipal area extends to semi-urban and rural areas, including both plains and hilly areas, resulting in its large area.

Udham Singh Nagar (Rudrapur Area)

Udham Singh Nagar is a district whose principal city is Rudrapur, with an area of ​​47.65 km². The entire Udham Singh Nagar district covers an area of ​​2,908 km². It includes the cities of Jaspur, Kashipur, Bazpur, Gadarpur, Rudrapur, Kichha, Sitarganj, Khatima, and Nanakmatta.

Why These Cities Are Important Beyond Just Area

Dehradun: Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand. The city's large area supports not only its population but also its forests, hills, and suburban growth.

Haridwar: Haridwar is considered one of the holiest cities not only in Uttarakhand but throughout India. Its large area helps accommodate its pilgrimage and industrial hubs and modern infrastructure.

Nainital and Almora: Both cities are tourist destinations in Kumaon. Their large municipal areas include mountain slopes, forest lands, and numerous tourist spots.

Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi: All these cities are located in a geographical location. The roads of these cities cover not only the villages but also many remote Himalayan regions.

Ramnagar: Ramnagar is known for wildlife tourism, in which Jim Corbett National Park plays a significant role. The area includes natural reserves and Bufor John.

Conclusion

When it comes to the largest city in Uttarakhand, we shouldn't look at the city's population, as we consider its area. A city's area isn't measured by its population, but rather by the hills, forests, and even wildlife parks within its municipal or district jurisdiction. A city's area helps us understand how Uttarakhand balances development and nature.