Jammu
&
Kashmir,
the
sixth
largest
state
of
the
Indian
union,
is
mostly
mountainous
with
stretches
of
valleys
and
some
mountain
lakes.
Nature
lovers
from
all
over
the
world
flock
to
this
northernmost
extremity
of
India
for
destinations
such
as
Gulmarg,
Pahalgam,
Leh,
Patnitop,
and
Ladakh,
comparable
to
the
Alps.
Geographical
Diversity
The
state
enjoys
a
sharp
rise
of
altitude
from
1000
feet
to
28250
feet
above
the
sea
level,
with
three
different
climatic
regions-
Arctic
cold
deserts
of
Ladakh,
temperate
Kashmir
valley
and
sub-tropical
Jammu.
Jammu
&
Kashmir
is
divided
in
four
zones:
The
Shivalik
Ranges
The
high
mountainous
part
of
the
Kashmir
Valley,
Pir
Panchal
range
and
its
off-shoots
(Doda,
Poonch
and
Rajouri
districts
and
part
of
Kathua
and
Udhampur
districts)
Sub-mountain
and
semi-mountain
plain-
kandi
(dry
belt)
The
middle
run
of
the
Indus
river
comprising
Leh
and
Kargil.
Each
zone
has
a
distinctive
identity
in
terms
of
natural
beauty,
flora
and
fauna,
culture,
food
and
lifestyle.
The
region
is
nurtured
by
the
major
rivers-
Jhelum,
Indus,
Chenab,
Tawi
and
Ravi-
that
flow
through
the
state.
The
state
has
two
capitals-
Srinagar
(the
summer
capital;
famous
for
lakes,
houseboats
and
Mughal
gardens)
and
Jammu
(the
winter
capital;
popular
for
temples).
Economy
The
local
people
are
mostly
involved
in
agriculture.
Kashmir
is
a
leading
exporter
in
agricultural
products
such
as
apples,
barley,
cherries,
corn,
millet,
oranges,
rice,
peaches,
pears,
saffron,
sorghum,
vegetables,
saffron
and
wheat.
The
manufacturing
industries
for
handicrafts,
rugs
and
shawls
contribute
a
major
part
in
the
state's
economy.
The
state
of
Jammu
&
Kashmir
is
situated
mostly
in
the
Himalayan
mountains,
therefore
it
is
frequently
visited
by
the
adventure
enthusiasts
for
trekking,
rafting
and
skiing.
Some
of
the
major
pilgrimage
centers
of
India,
including
the
Amarnath
Caves
and
Vaishnodevi
Shrine
are
situated
in
Jammu
and
Kashmir.
Therefore,
tourism
also
contributes
a
lot
towards
the
economy.
Culture
The
state
(often
called
J&K)
has
been
a
prime
centre
for
learning
Sanskrit
and
Persian
since
time
immemorial.
Today,
J&K
comprises
of
Hindu,
Islamic
and
Tibetan
culture.
The
diversity
can
be
observed
in
the
life
style,
architecture,
music,
dance,
festivals
and
literature
of
the
people
of
different
districts.
The
people
of
J&K
speak
Urdu,
Kashmiri,
Hindi,
Dogri,
Pahari
and
Ladakhi
languages.
The
best
seasons
to
visit
are
also
categorized
according
to
the
climatic
conditions,
as
each
part
differs
greatly
in
topography.
For
visiting
Jammu,
it
is
October
to
February,
for
Kashmir-
May
to
October,
and
November
to
February,
and
for
Ladakh,
it
is
Mid
June
to
September.
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