Kashmir (map) is a region located in the northwestern part
of the Indian subcontinent. It includes the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir
as well as the Pakistani states of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. The
Chinese regions of Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram are also included in Kashmir.
Currently, the United Nations refers to this region as Jammu and Kashmir.
Until the 19th century, Kashmir geographically included the
valley region from the Himalayas to the Pir Panjal mountain range. Today
however, it has been extended to include the aforementioned areas. Kashmir is
significant to geographic studies because its status is disputed, which often
causes conflict to develop in the region. Today, Kashmir is administered by
India, Pakistan and China.
The following is a list of ten geographic facts to know
about Kashmir.
1) Historical documents state that the region of present-day
Kashmir was formerly a lake, thus its name is derived from several translations
that deal with water. Kaashmir, a term used in the religious text Nilamata
Purana, means for example "a land desiccated from water."
2) Kashmir's old capital, Shrinagari, was first founded by
the Buddhist emperor Ashoka and the region served as a center of Buddhism. In
the 9th century, Hinduism was introduced to the area and both religions
thrived.
3) In the 14th century, the Mongol ruler, Dulucha invaded
the Kashmir region. This ended the Hindu and Buddhist rule of the area and in
1339, Shah Mir Swati became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir. Throughout the
rest of the 14th century and into subsequent times, Muslim dynasties and
empires successfully controlled the Kashmir region. By the 19th century though,
Kashmir was passed to the Sikh armies that were conquering the area.
4) Beginning in 1947 at the end of England's rule of India,
the Kashmir region was given the choice to become a part of the new Union of
India, the Dominion of Pakistan or to remain independent. Around this same time
however, both Pakistan and India attempted to gain control of the area and the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 began which lasted until 1948 when the region was
partitioned. Two more wars over Kashmir took place in 1965 and 1999.
5) Today Kashmir is divided among Pakistan, India and China.
Pakistan controls the northwestern part, while India controls the central and
southern portions and China controls its northeastern areas. India controls the
largest portion of land at 39,127 square miles (101,338 sq km) while Pakistan
controls an area of 33,145 square miles (85,846 sq km) and China 14,500 square
miles (37,555 sq km).
6) The Kashmir region has a total area of about 86,772
square miles (224,739 sq km) and much of it is undeveloped and dominated by
large mountain ranges such as the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. The Vale of
Kashmir is located between mountain ranges and there are also several large
rivers in the region. The most populated areas are Jammu and Azad Kashmir. The
main cities in Kashmir are Mirpur, Dadayal, Kotli, Bhimber Jammu, Muzaffrarabad
and Rawalakot.
7) Kashmir has a varied climate but in its lower elevations,
summers are hot, humid and dominated monsoonal weather patterns, while winters
are cold and often wet. In the higher elevations, summers are cool and short,
and winters are very long and very cold.
8) Kashmir's economy is mostly made up of agriculture that
takes place in its fertile valley areas. Rice, corn, wheat, barley, fruits and
vegetables are the main crops grown in Kashmir while lumber, and the raising of
livestock also play a role in its economy. In addition, small-scale handicrafts
and tourism are important to the area.
9) Most of Kashmir's population is Muslim. Hindus also live
in the region and the main language of Kashmir is Kashmiri.
10) In the 19th century, Kashmir was a popular tourist destination
because of its topography and climate. Many of Kashmir's tourists came from
Europe and were interested in hunting and mountain climbing.
