<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> meghalaya.gov.in </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> It received the status of a full - fledged State in 1971 by the North - Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971 </Td> </Tr> <P> Meghalaya (UK: / meɪˈɡɑːləjə /, US: / ˌmeɪɡəˈleɪə /) is a state in Northeast India . The name means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit . The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be 3,211,474 . Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3: 1 . </P> <P> The state is bounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India's State of Assam . The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong . During the British rule of India, the British imperial authorities nicknamed it the "Scotland of the East". Meghalaya was previously part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya . English is the official language of Meghalaya . The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Garo, Pnar, Biate Hajong and Bengali . Unlike many Indian states, Meghalaya has historically followed a matrilineal system where the lineage and inheritance are traced through women; the youngest daughter inherits all wealth and she also takes care of her parents . </P>

What is the population of meghalaya in 2018