Meghalaya has a geographic area of 2.24 million ha. It lies between lat. 25° 02‘ and 26°07‘ N and long. 89°49‘ and 92°50‘ E. Topographically, the whole state is a plateau except narrow strips in the northern, western and southern parts. The elevation ranges from 150 m to 1950 m. Major rivers of the state include the Simsang, the Manda and the Ganol in Garo Hills and the Umiam, the Umtrew and the Kupli in Khasi & Jaintia Hills.

The western part of the state is warmer with mean temperature ranges between 12oC to 33oC. The Central upland is relatively cooler where minimum temperature goes down to 2oC and mean maximum temperature to 24oC. Average annual rainfall in the state varies from 4000 mm. to 11,436 mm. Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram are located in the state which are known as the highest rainfall spots of the world.

The state has a population of 1.78 million (1991 census) with a density of 79 persons per square km. Scheduled Tribes constitute 85.53% of the total population. Livestock population in the state is 1.18 million (1992 livestock census).