GARO HILLS

physical region, western Meghalaya state, northeastern India. It comprises the western margin of the Shillong Plateau (q.v.) and rises to an elevation of 4,600 feet (1,400 m). Drained by various tributaries of the Brahmaputra River, it has extremely high rainfall and is heavily forested. The region has an agricultural economy, with rice, cotton, sal, bamboo, and lac as the principal products. Large quantities of coal and limestone and some petroleum have been found. Its clans practice a complex matrilineal social system. The population is mainly Garo.