### Interesting Facts
1. **Capital Status:** Itanagar has been the capital of Arunachal Pradesh since 1974, when the capital was shifted from Shillong. 2. **Name Origin:** The city is named after the historic 'Ita Fort' located in the center of the town. 'Ita' translates to 'brick' in Assamese. 3. **Ita Fort:** The fort dates back to the 14th or 15th century and is believed to have been built by the Chutiya Kingdom. 4. **Sun and Moon:** The newly built Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar is named after the sun (Donyi) and moon (Polo), representing the indigenous faith of the state. 5. **State Symbols:** The capital region frequently showcases the state animal, the Mithun (a semi-domesticated bovine), and the state bird, the Great Hornbill, in its art and culture. 6. **Twin City:** Itanagar and the neighboring town of Naharlagun are often referred to as twin cities and make up the core of the Capital Complex. 7. **Buddhist Gompa:** The city features a beautiful yellow-roofed Buddhist Gompa, consecrated by the Dalai Lama, which offers a panoramic view of the town. 8. **Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum:** This museum in Itanagar is an incredible repository of the state's tribal culture, housing wood carvings, musical instruments, and traditional textiles. 9. **Geker Sinying:** Also known as Ganga Lake, this beautiful natural water body surrounded by dense forests is a major tourist attraction. 10. **Seismic Zone:** Itanagar, like the rest of Northeast India, falls under Seismic Zone V, making it highly prone to earthquakes. 11. **Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains:** As the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar represents the state known as the "Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains" due to its position as the easternmost state in India. 12. **Nyokum Yullo:** One of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in Itanagar is Nyokum Yullo, the agricultural festival of the Nyishi tribe. 13. **Linguistic Diversity:** Hindi is widely spoken and serves as the primary lingua franca among the various tribes in the city who have distinct native dialects. 14. **Botanical Wealth:** The surrounding Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary is incredibly rich in orchid species, a hallmark of the state's biodiversity. 15. **Raj Bhavan:** The official residence of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar is a sprawling complex known for its lush, well-maintained gardens. 16. **No Pre-Independence Capital:** Arunachal Pradesh (formerly NEFA) was administered from Assam during British rule; Itanagar was entirely developed as an administrative center post-independence. 17. **Indira Gandhi Park:** IG Park is the most prominent public park in the city, frequently hosting state functions, rallies, and public festivals. 18. **Traditional Houses:** On the outskirts of the city, one can still find traditional tribal houses elevated on bamboo stilts. 19. **Topography:** The city is built across uneven, hilly terrain, meaning roads are incredibly winding, with neighborhoods spread across different elevations. 20. **First Train:** The first railway station connecting the capital complex (in Naharlagun) to the rest of India was only inaugurated in 2014.
