Rangpo

Rangpo is a Municipal town in India shared by Pakyong district of the state Sikkim and Kalimpong district of the state West Bengal. The town is situated along the Teesta River and Rangpo River. It is the first town of Sikkim lying on National Highway 10 that links Siliguri to Gangtok. It is about 300 m above sea level with a sub-tropical climate. It is the 'Gateway to Sikkim' and all vehicles entering Sikkim have to stop at the Rangpo Police check-post. Foreign tourists are required to present documents to enter Sikkim state and must show them at the police checkpoint. The Rangpo River separates the Rangpo Forest Village lying on the West Bengal side from the Rangpo Municipal Town lying on the Sikkim side.

==Geography== Rangpo is located at . It has an average elevation of 333 metres (1093 feet). The town lies on the belt of two rivers, River Teesta which comes from Dikchu-Singtam-Majitar side, and River Rangpo which comes from Rongli-Rorathang-Kumrek side. Both rivers meet each other below the town. The conjunction point is named Rangpo Doban and is utilized as a cremation place. Since River Teesta is the largest river and River Rangpo the third largest river of Sikkim so both rivers become violent during the monsoon season, especially between June and September; hence, sometimes the river overflows towards lower residential areas of the town and causes destruction.