Bihar: Location, area and physical divisions

Bihar is located in the eastern part of India and is an entirely land-locked state. It lies mid-way between the humid West Bengal in the east and sub-humid Uttar Pradesh in the west. The state profile gives its formation date as 22 March 1912, and its capital is Patna.

Location and Coordinates

• Latitude: between 24°-20'-10" N and 27°-31'-15" N.
• Longitude: between 83°-19'-50" E and 88°-17'-40" E.
• Humid West Bengal lies to the east and sub-humid Uttar Pradesh to the west.
• Bihar is an entirely land-locked state.

Area and Physical Features

• Total area: 94,163 km².
• Rural area: 92,257.51 sq km.
• Urban area: 1,095.49 sq km.
• Average height above sea level: 173 feet (about 53 m).
• Average rainy days per year: 52.5 days.

The Bihar Plain and the Ganga

• The Bihar plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river Ganga.
• The Ganga flows through the middle of the plain from west to east.

Administrative Framework

• Divisions: 9.
• Districts: 38.
• Sub-divisions: 101.
• CD blocks: 534.
• Panchayats: 8,053.
• Revenue villages: 45,858.
• Total towns: 199 (139 statutory and 60 non-statutory).
• Police stations: 853 (813 civil and 40 railway).
• Police districts: 40 civil and 4 railway.

Population and Density

• The state profile gives Bihar's population as 104,099,452.
• Population density (2011 Census): 1,106 per sq km.
• Highest density: Sheohar, 1,880 per sq km.
• Lowest density: Kaimur, 488 per sq km.
• Most populous district: Patna, 5,838,465.
• Least populous district: Sheikhpura, 636,342.

Social Indicators (2011 Census)

• Sex ratio: 918 females per 1,000 males.
• Highest sex ratio: Gopalganj, 1,021.
• Highest literacy: Rohtas, 73.37%.
• Lowest literacy: Purnia, 51.08%.

Governance Facts

• Official language: Hindi.
• Legislature: bicameral.
• High Court: Patna High Court.