The Three Regions
J&K is not one landscape but three very different regions, each with its own climate, people and economy.
| Jammu | Kashmir | Ladakh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land | Plains (Kandi) and low hills (Shiwaliks, Pir Panjal slopes) | The Vale of Kashmir and the mountains around it | High plateau and mountain desert |
| Altitude | About 300 to 1,000 m on the plains, rising to 4,000 m | About 1,500 to 1,800 m on the valley floor | Mostly 3,000 to 5,000 m and above |
| Climate | Sub-tropical to temperate | Temperate, with four seasons | Cold desert |
| Main rivers | Chenab, Tawi, Ravi, Ujh | Jhelum and its tributaries | Indus, Shyok, Zanskar, Nubra |
| Main crops | Wheat, maize, rice, basmati | Rice, apple, saffron, walnut | Barley, apricot, wheat in valleys |
| Largest city | Jammu | Srinagar | Leh |
Jammu region (Jammu Division)
- Called the "City of Temples", and Duggar is the old name of the region, home of the Dogras.
- It has the plains of the Tawi and Chenab, and Dhar (hill) districts such as Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Poonch-Rajouri in the Pir Panjal.
- Includes Chenab Valley (Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban) and the Pir Panjal districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Kashmir region (Kashmir Division)
- The Vale of Kashmir is the core: an oval basin about 135 km long and 32 to 40 km wide, drained by the Jhelum.
- Surrounded by the Pir Panjal in the south and west and the Great Himalaya in the north and east.
- Gurez, Uri and Tangdhar are border valleys on the northern side.
Ladakh
- Ladakh is the largest region by area. The name means "Land of High Passes" (La = pass, dakh = land).
- It lies in the rain shadow of the Great Himalaya. Rainfall is only about 100 mm a year.
- Sub-regions: Leh valley, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, Suru (Kargil), Dras and Sham (Lower Ladakh).
- Known as "Little Tibet" because of its culture and religion.
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.