Geography of Jammu & Kashmir — Introduction
1. Introduction
- Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and has often been referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East'.
- Jammu has numerous temples in its lap and hence called the 'City of Temples'.
- Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley.
- The main Kashmir valley is 100 km wide and 15,520.3 km² in area.
- The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan River which flows through the Kashmir valley.
- The Indus, Tawi, Ravi and Chenab are the major rivers flowing through the UT of J&K and Ladakh.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Switzerland of the East: Kashmir Valley
- City of Temples: Jammu
- Only major Himalayan river in Kashmir Valley: Jhelum
2. Climate & Forests
- North-western thorn scrub forests and Himalayan subtropical pine forests are found in the low elevations of the far southwest.
- These give way to a broad band of western Himalayan broadleaf forests running from northwest-southeast across the Kashmir Valley.
- Rising into the mountains, the broadleaf forests grade into western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests.
- Average annual rainfall: varies from about 600 mm to about 800 mm.
- Average annual temperature: from sub-zero to 40°C.
3. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir
CAPITAL
- Jammu – winter (Nov - April)
- Srinagar – summer (May - October)
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES
- Boundary line between India and Pakistan: Radcliffe Line
- Boundary line between India and China: McMahon Line
AREA
- 53,258 sq. km (including PoK) – About 42,241 square kilometres in J&K and 59,147 square kilometres in Ladakh (except PoK, under China):
- Kashmir: 15,948 sq. km
- Jammu: 26,293 sq. km
- Ladakh: 59,147 sq. km
- Total Area of UT of J&K: 1,01,388 sq. km
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
- Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English
LEGISLATURE
- Unicameral
4. Demography (2011 Census)
POPULATION STATISTICS
| Category | District |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,22,67,013 |
| Highest Density of Population | Ganderbal |
| Least Density of Population | Doda |
| Highest Population | Jammu |
| Least Population | Kishtwar |
| Highest Sex Ratio | Kulgam, Shopian |
| Least Sex Ratio | Kupwara |
| Highest Literacy | Jammu |
| Least Literacy | Ramban |
QUICK REVISION
- Highest Density: Ganderbal
- Lowest Density: Doda
- Highest Population: Jammu
- Lowest Population: Kishtwar
- Highest Sex Ratio: Kulgam, Shopian
- Lowest Sex Ratio: Kupwara
- Highest Literacy: Jammu
- Lowest Literacy: Ramban
5. Airports
- Jammu Domestic Airport: Satwari
- Kashmir Airport: Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport (also known as Srinagar Airport or Budgam Airbase) — located in Budgam District
- Leh Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
6. Important Superlatives
SUPERLATIVES OF J&K
| Category | Name |
|---|---|
| Largest Garden | Tulip Garden, Srinagar (also largest in Asia) |
| Largest Fresh Water Lake | Wular Lake |
| Biggest Town | Anantnag |
| Largest/Biggest Cascade | Aharbal Waterfall (Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir) |
| Biggest City | Srinagar |
| Biggest Village | Arnia (most populated) |
| Biggest Mosque | Jama Masjid, Srinagar |
| Biggest Temple | Raghunath Temple, Jammu |
| Biggest Golf Course | Royal Spring Golf Course, Boulevard Road, Srinagar |
| Biggest Glacier | Kolahoi Glacier |
AHARBAL WATERFALL
- Located in the Kulgam district's Noorabad Area of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Located on the Veshu River (or Veshava River), a tributary of the Jhelum River.
- Altitude: 2266 metres above sea level.
- Also known as Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir.
KOLAHOI PEAK
- Highest mountain in Jammu and Kashmir with a peak elevation of 17,799 ft (5,425 metres).
- Located in the vicinity of Sonamarg.
- Part of the Himalaya Range.
- Kolahoi Glacier is the source of the Lidder River.
7. Nicknames & Regional Names
REGIONAL NICKNAMES
| Region/Place | Nickname |
|---|---|
| Hilly plains of Jammu (South) | Land of Dogra Heroes |
| Ladakh (North) | Land of Lamas / Moon-Land / Moonscape |
| Valley of Kashmir | Kesar ki Dharti / Switzerland of India |
| Saffron Cultivation | Golden Zest |
| Srinagar | Venice of East |
| Budgam | Land of Springs |
| Leh | The Red Land / Land of Broken Moon |
| Pulwama | Anand of Kashmir / Dudha-Kul of Kashmir |
| Temperate Kashmir Valley Zone | Cultivator's Paradise |
| Pahalgam-Lidder Valley | Angler's Paradise |
| Girgan (Poonch) | Valley of Seven Lakes |
| Kathua | City of Sufis |
| Samba | City of Sheets |
| Bhaderwah | Mini-Kashmir / Land of Snakes |
| Jammu | City of Temples |
| Kashmir Sapphire | Mined at Padder Valley (District Kishtwar) |
8. Districts of J&K & Ladakh
JAMMU REGION — 10 DISTRICTS
- Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch
KASHMIR REGION — 10 DISTRICTS
- Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal, Bandipora
LADAKH REGION — 2 DISTRICTS
- Leh, Kargil
9. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Jammu
- B) Srinagar
- C) Leh
- D) Kargil
Q2. The winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Jammu
- B) Srinagar
- C) Leh
- D) Kargil
Q3. The boundary line between India and Pakistan is called:
- A) Radcliffe Line
- B) McMahon Line
- C) Durand Line
- D) Line of Control
Q4. The boundary line between India and China is called:
- A) Radcliffe Line
- B) McMahon Line
- C) Durand Line
- D) Line of Control
Q5. The only major Himalayan river flowing through the Kashmir valley is:
- A) Jhelum
- B) Chenab
- C) Indus
- D) Tawi
Q6. The largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Dal Lake
- B) Wular Lake
- C) Mansabal Lake
- D) Sheshnag Lake
Q7. The highest mountain peak in Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Mount Everest
- B) Kolahoi Peak
- C) K2
- D) Nanda Devi
Q8. The largest garden in Asia located in Srinagar is:
- A) Nishat Garden
- B) Tulip Garden
- C) Shalimar Garden
- D) Chashma Shahi
Q9. The biggest mosque in Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Hazratbal
- B) Jama Masjid, Srinagar
- C) Shah-e-Hamdan
- D) Aali Masjid
Q10. The biggest temple in Jammu & Kashmir is:
- A) Martand Temple
- B) Raghunath Temple, Jammu
- C) Avantishwara Temple
- D) Shankaragaurish Temple
Q11. The district with the highest population density in J&K is:
- A) Ganderbal
- B) Jammu
- C) Srinagar
- D) Anantnag
Q12. The district with the lowest population density in J&K is:
- A) Kargil
- B) Doda
- C) Leh
- D) Kishtwar
Q13. The district with the highest literacy rate in J&K is:
- A) Jammu
- B) Srinagar
- C) Kathua
- D) Udhampur
Q14. The district with the lowest literacy rate in J&K is:
- A) Doda
- B) Ramban
- C) Rajouri
- D) Poonch
Q15. The district with the highest sex ratio in J&K is:
- A) Kulgam & Shopian
- B) Jammu
- C) Srinagar
- D) Anantnag
Q16. The district with the lowest sex ratio in J&K is:
- A) Kargil
- B) Kupwara
- C) Leh
- D) Doda
Q17. Srinagar is also known as:
- A) City of Temples
- B) Venice of East
- C) City of Sufis
- D) Land of Lamas
Q18. Ladakh is also known as:
- A) Switzerland of India
- B) Land of Dogra Heroes
- C) Moon-Land / Moonscape
- D) City of Temples
Q19. Pulwama is known as:
- A) Land of Springs
- B) Anand of Kashmir / Dudha-Kul of Kashmir
- C) Valley of Seven Lakes
- D) Angler's Paradise
Q20. Bhaderwah is known as:
- A) Switzerland of India
- B) Mini-Kashmir / Land of Snakes
- C) City of Sufis
- D) Land of Springs
10. Summary: Geography of J&K at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Summer Capital | Srinagar (May-October) |
| Winter Capital | Jammu (Nov-April) |
| Indo-Pak Boundary | Radcliffe Line |
| Indo-China Boundary | McMahon Line |
| Total Area (UT of J&K) | 1,01,388 sq. km |
| Legislature | Unicameral |
| Official Languages | Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English |
| Highest Mountain | Kolahoi Peak (17,799 ft) |
| Largest Freshwater Lake | Wular Lake |
| Largest Garden | Tulip Garden, Srinagar (largest in Asia) |
| Total Districts (J&K) | 20 (10 Jammu + 10 Kashmir) |
| Ladakh Districts | Leh, Kargil |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Capitals: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
- Boundary Lines: Radcliffe (Indo-Pak), McMahon (Indo-China)
- Total Area: 1,01,388 sq. km
- Legislature: Unicameral
- Official Languages: Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English
- Jhelum: Only major Himalayan river in Kashmir Valley
- Kolahoi Peak: Highest peak (17,799 ft)
- Wular Lake: Largest freshwater lake
- Tulip Garden: Largest in Asia
- Aharbal Waterfall: Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir
- Srinagar: Venice of East
- Ladakh: Moon-Land / Moonscape
- Pulwama: Anand of Kashmir / Dudha-Kul of Kashmir
- Bhaderwah: Mini-Kashmir / Land of Snakes
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Geography of J&K)
Q1. The summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir is:
Correct Answer: B. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir (May-October). Jammu is the winter capital (November-April).
Q2. The boundary line between India and Pakistan is called:
Correct Answer: B. The Radcliffe Line is the boundary line between India and Pakistan. The McMahon Line is the boundary between India and China.
Q3. The only major Himalayan river flowing through the Kashmir valley is:
Correct Answer: B. The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan River which flows through the Kashmir valley.
Q4. The highest mountain peak in Jammu & Kashmir is:
Correct Answer: B. Kolahoi Peak is the highest mountain in Jammu & Kashmir with a peak elevation of 17,799 ft (5,425 metres).
Q5. The largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir is:
Correct Answer: B. Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Jammu & Kashmir.
Q6. The district with the highest population density in J&K is:
Correct Answer: B. Ganderbal has the highest population density in Jammu & Kashmir according to the 2011 Census.
Q7. Srinagar is also known as:
Correct Answer: B. Srinagar is known as the 'Venice of East' due to its beautiful lakes and waterways.
Q8. Ladakh is also known as:
Correct Answer: C. Ladakh is known as 'Moon-Land' or 'Moonscape' due to its high-altitude desert landscape.
Q9. The biggest mosque in Jammu & Kashmir is:
Correct Answer: B. Jama Masjid in Srinagar is the biggest mosque in Jammu & Kashmir.
Q10. Bhaderwah is known as:
Correct Answer: B. Bhaderwah is known as 'Mini-Kashmir' and 'Land of Snakes' due to its scenic beauty and local legends.