The snowcapped mountains, sprawling valleys, rivers, springs, plains and plateaus make Jammu and Kashmir location classic example of perfect tourist place. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is strategically located on the northernmost part of India. It is geographically located between 32.17 º and 36.58 º northern latitude and 37.26 º and 80.30 º eastern longitude.
The State covers a total area of 22,22,236 sq. km, of which around 78114 sq km is illegally occupied by Pakistan and 42,685 sq km is under China. The State is surrounded by Pakistan, Afghanistan and China from the West to the East.
Among the States and Union Territories of India, Jammu and Kashmir stands 6th in terms of area and 17th in population. Jammu and Kashmir constitutes of 14 districts, 54 towns 119 blocks, 3 municipalities, 59 tehsils, and notified area committee, 6477 inhabited villages and 281 uninhabited villages.
Vast areas of Jammu and Kashmir consist of the western Himalayas, with mountains ranging from 3000 to 6000 meters. Apart from these passes, plateaus, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and plains. The major rivers flowing through the state are Ravi, Jehlum, Indus, and Chenab. Within the four degrees of latitude of Jammu and Kashmir, the altitude varies from 1000 feet to 28250 feet above the sea level.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been demarcated into four geographical zones:
- The Shivalak ranges
- The high mountains comprising of the Kashmir Valley and Pir Panchal range
- Sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain
- The middle portion of the Indus River constituting of Leh and Kargil.
