From the archive record
Prayer Flags in Sikkim Prayer Flags at Gurudongmar lake in Sikkim, India. Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. The state borders Nepal to the west, Tibet to the north and east, and Bhutan to the southeast. The state of West Bengal borders Sikkim to its south. With just slightly over 500,000 permanent residents, Sikkim is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area. Despite its small area of 7,096 km2 (2,740 sq mi), Sikkim is geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas. The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine. Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, is located on Sikkim's border with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination, owing to its culture, scenery and biodiversity. Sikkim has