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Gangtok pronunciation is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is situated in the lower Himalayas, located at 27.2° N 88.4° E. Known for its clean surroundings and temperate climate, this hill station of about fifty thousand people is the centre of Sikkim's tourist industry.
Gangtok was a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center. It became a major stopover between Tibet and British India at the end of the 19th century. Following India's independence in 1947, Sikkim became a nation-state with Gangtok as its capital. In 1975 the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok remaining as its capital.
The precise meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though it is generally held to mean lofty hill. Gangtok is also a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning with numerous monasteries and religious educational institutions.
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