Orissa is a state located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It was established on April 1, 1936, and consists, predominantly of Oriya speakers. April 1st is therefore celebrated as Utkal Divas ( Orissa Day ).Orissa is the ninth largest state by area and the eleventh largest by population. Oriya is the official and most widely spoken language. Orissa has a relatively unindented coastline ( about 320 km ( 200 mi ) long ) but lacks good ports, except for the deepwater facility at Paradip. The narrow, level coastal strip, including the Mahanadi River delta supports the bulk of the population. The interior of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated. Deomali at 1672 m is the highest point of the state. The interior of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated Deomali at 1672 m is the highest point of the state. Orissa is subject to intense cyclones. The most intense one, in October 1999, Tropical Cyclone 05B caused severe damage and some 10,000 deaths.
