Some Basic Facts

"The state of Jammu and Kashmir is an agglomeration of territories brought under the political power of one Maharaja" "Kashmir is a geographical monstrosity, a multi-ethnic, mutlti-cultural society"

Location

Kashmir is located in the heart of south-central Asia amongst the most populace countries of the world. It shares its borders with China, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

Area

84471  square miles, It is larger than 95 other independent countries in area. Nearly 63 % of its territory is held under Indian control, 37 % under Pakistani control which includes an area less than 5 % known as Azad Kashmir.

Area under Indian control: (50513 sq.miles)

a) Ladakh:                   33740 sq.miles
b) Kashmir province:   6893 sq.miles
c) Jammu province:     9880 sq.miles

Area under Pakistan control: (33958 sq.miles)

a) Gilgit & Baltistan:                       29814 sq.miles
b) Muzzafarabad & Poonch valley: 4144 sq.miles

In 1962 war with India, China occupied 1971 sq.miles from Indian held Kashmir at Aksai-chin and Demchok in Ladakh.

In December 1962, 1868 sq.miles were conditionally taken over by China at Shaksgam in Northern Areas of Kashmir under Pakistan control 

Population

13 million, including 1.5 million refugees in Pakistan and 0.5 million living in other parts of the world.The population of Kashmir in 1991 has reached 11.6 million- 7.3 million (63%) Indian controlled Kashmir and 4.3 million (37%) Pakistan controlled Kashmir. It is thus bigger in size than 109 sovereign countries of the world and larger than 114 UN member states.

Religious Composition
Indian controlled Kashmir (7.3 million)

• Muslims 64 %
• Non Muslims:36 %

Kashmir valley: (3.80 million)                     Muslims: 95 % Non-Muslims: 5%
Poonch, Rajori & Doda: (1.18 million)         Muslims: 65% Non-Muslims: 35%
Jammu, Kathua,Udhampur: (2.16 million)  Muslims 10% Non-Muslims: 90%
Leh District:  (0.08 million)                        Muslims 15% Non-Muslims: 85%
Kargil District: (0.08 million)                      Muslims 78% Non-Muslims: 12%

Pakistan controlled Kashmir (4.3 million)

• Muslims 100%

Azad Kashmir: (2.50 million)                    Muslims: 100%
Gilgit, Baltistan: (0.70 million)                  Muslims: 100%
Kashmiris in Pakistan: (0.80 million)        Muslims: 100%
Kashmiris in outside world: 0.30 million    Muslims: 100%

Political Status

Disputed territory

Languages

Urdu (official) Kashmiri (mostly), regional languages like Dogri,Hindi,Dardi and Pahari. English is widely spoken.

Capitals

• Srinagar, (summer capital) Indian controlled part
• Jammu, (winter capital) Indian controlled part
• Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan controlled part)

Scenic Pahalgam

Ladakhi women

Floating vegetable market