North India Tourist Destinations
Kashmir - The Heaven on Earth |
  
Jammu & Kashmir (commonly referred to as "Kashmir") is situated
in one of the most captivating and tumultuous geographical regions of the world.
Jammu & Kashmir is centrally located between Pakistan, India, Tibet, China,
and Afghanistan.
Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and has often
been referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East'. The heart of the area is the
fertile Vale of Kashmir (known as The Valley), which lies between the Himalayas
and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Here the climate is mild and the soil well
watered.
Kashmir covers an area of 222,237 SqKm (85,800 SqMi). Mount
Godwin Austen/K2 (8,611m/28,250 ft) and mount Nanga Parbat (8,123m/26,650 ft)
lie in Northern Kashmir.
The Indus river flows through Kashmir. The
river Jhelum flows through the Vale of Kashmir. The mountains have much precious
forests.
About 12 million people live in Kashmir, of which around 70%
are Muslims. The rest include Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Hindus live mostly
in the south and around the city of Jammu. To the east is the Ladakh region, where
the majority of the people are Buddhists and of Tibetan origin. Most of the Kashmiri
people work on farms. Others are engaged in small industries making shawls, rugs
and carpets. Kashmir is well known for its wool and, in particular, its shawls
and carpets.
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