Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. Its name means middle province. It is the country's largest state in area. Madhya Pradesh has extensive forests which cover 30 per cent of the total area. It is predominantly an agricultural region, with a relatively small population. The Capital city is Bhopal.

Location and description. Madhya Pradesh shares boundaries with the following states: Uttar Pradesh to the north, Bihar to the northeast, Orissa to the east, Andhra Pradesh to the south, Maharashtra to the south and southwest, Gujarat to the west, and Rajasthan to the northwest.

Climate: The monsoon dominates the climate, with most of the yearly rain falling between June and September. Bhopal, for example, receives 120 centimetres a year, of which 90 per cent is in the rainy season. The season preceding the rains (March to May) is hot and dry, with temperatures exceeding 33 °C everywhere and often reaching 44 °C.
The average maximum during the monsoon is 30 °C, and the minimum 19 °C. Humidity levels are much higher than at other times of the year. The monsoon causes luxuriant plant growth. The winters are dry and pleasant. The average maximum temperature from November to February is 27 °C, and the minimum 10 °C. Annual rainfall tends to decrease from south to north and from east to west.

Tourist Centres: Khajuraho, once the capital of the Chandella rulers is 595 kms from Delhi. The embodiment of the great artistic activity of the 9th to 12th centuries. Onlu 22 temples out of 85 have survived.

Ujjain, where Kumbh mela is held after every 12 years, Sanchi with ancient Buddhist monuments, Bhopal the lake-side capital city, Jabalpur famous for marble rocks and Gwalior with beautiful forts, Indore, the largest city in the state, Panchmarhi, the hill station, Mandav the historical town and Amarkantak, the source of the Son and the Narmada river are other places of interest.

Kanha National Park near Jabalpur is one of the most beautiful wildlife parks in India. M.P. which has one-sixth of the total world's tiger population has been declared a 'Tiger State' to give protection to tigers.