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Mizoram, in the local language, means the land of Mizos—Mizo itself means highlander. Under the British administration, Mizoram was known as Lushai Hills District. In 1954 by an Act of Parliament the name was changed to Mizo Hills District. In 1972, when it was made into a Union Territory, it was named Mizoram.With the signing of the Peace Accord between the Union government and the MNF and consequent upon the passing of the 53rd Constitution Amendment Bill, Mizoram became the 23rd State of the Indian Union on 20-2-1987.

Physiography: Mizoram occupies the north east corner of India. It is bounded on the north by the District of Cachar (Assam) and the State of Manipur, on the east and south by Chin Hills and Arakan (Myanmar), on the west by the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and the State of Tripura.Mizoram is a land of hills.

The hills run in ridges from north to south. They have an average height of 900 metres, the highest point being the Blue Mountain (2165 metres.) The most important and useful rivers are the Tlawng (or the Dhaleswari), the Sonai and the Tuivawl. Other rivers are the Kolodine and the Karnaphuli.

History: The Mizos belong to the Mongolian race. They seem to have settled at first in the Shan State of Burma. The tribes left Burma and moved westwards into India. They occupied the Lushai Hills.During the British administration, the Mizos raided British territories and even attacked fortified positions. The British army moved against the Mizos and occupied their territory. It was annexed to British India in 1891. In 1898, the entire Mizo territory was formed into the Lushai Hills District and made a part of Assam. Although the Mizos were subjugated, the British did not interfere with their village administration. The Mizo Chiefs carried on the day-to-day administration in the traditional manner.

With independence, Mizoram became a district of Assam. Because of neglect by the authorities, the Mizos started agitations in 1966. It was declared a disturbed area. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act also was invoked. On June 30, 1986, the historic Mizoram Peace Accord was signed between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front ending the two-decade old insurgency.

The Mizos are divided into various tribes – the Lushais, Pawis, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Hmars, Kukis, Maras, Lakhers, etc. In the 19th century the Mizos came under the influence of British missionaries and many Mizos were converted to Christianity.

The Mizo language had no script of its own. The missionaries introduced the Roman script for the Mizo language and started teaching English also. The cumulative result was a high percentage of literacy. The majority of the tribes are Christians and speak Mizo and English. But some tribes on the border like the Chakmas are Buddhists and speak Chakma language. Mizoram attained 95% literacy in 1999.

Administration: Mizoram has a single-chamber legislature . The territory has eight Districts, 9 Sub-Divisions, 3 autonomous Hill District Councils, 23 Towns, 31 Police Stations and 681 Village Councils (instead of Gram Panchayats).

Economy: Agriculture is practically the only occupation in Mizoram. The territory is famous for its fibreless ginger, although other cash crops like mustard, sesame and potatoes are also grown. However, the cultivation method – "jhum" – is very primitive and destructive. The Mizoram Government is now trying to induce the peasants to change over to more permanent systems of cultivation like terraced farming on the hill sides. There are also schemes to grow plantation crops like rubber, coffee, tea, etc.Paddy is the chief food crop, followed by maize. They are grown on the slopes of hills. Total area under rice is 62,452 ha.

One of the chief constraints in increasing agricultural production is the lack of irrigation facilities. Only 2885.30 ha is irrigated in Mizoram.Mizoram leads in afforestation . Total forest area is 15,935 sq km.There is no major industry in Mizoram. Handloom and handicraft are the major industrial activities in the territory and one Engineering Unit has developed a new design of machine-combined ginning and carding.Tailoring, knitting and embroidery centres have been set up. Sericulture in four kinds of silk– Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga– is practised widely. Other industries are: Ginger beverages, oil, fruits preservation, handloom and some other small scale & cottage industries like bakery, printing press, saw mills, brick making, soap making, etc.Universities: Nehu–North Eastern Hill University – has a campus in Aizawl.Mizoram's first airport at Langpui, 40 km. west of Aizawl, was opened in Sept. 98. In Jan. 97, Mizoram became a dry state.

Tourist Centres: Known as the land of enchanting hills, Mizoram is famous for its vast expanse of jagged mountain ranges shrouded mystically in reddish-blue haze. Blue mountains and deep narrow valleys with swift-flowing rivers, forests with an array of flora and fauna, quaint relics of a glorious past, quiet hamlets & bustling towns make Mizoram a tourist's choice.