Jammu And Kashmir Facts and Information
General Information
| Capital | Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter) |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Srinagar |
| Name | Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory) |
| Official Languages | Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English |
| State Animal | Hangul deer |
| State Bird | Black-necked crane |
| State Flower | Lotus |
| UT Formation Date | 31 October 2019 |
Government and Administration
| Chief Minister | Omar Abdullah |
|---|---|
| High Court | Jammu and Kashmir High Court |
| Legislature | Unicameral (90 Assembly seats after 2022 delimitation) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Manoj Sinha |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 5 |
| Number of Districts | 20 |
Geography and Environment
| Area | 42,241 km² (post-reorganization, excluding Ladakh) |
|---|---|
| Climate | Alpine and subtropical, varies sharply by region |
| Forest Cover | ~39.15% |
| Major Lakes | Dal Lake, Wular Lake (largest in India) |
| Major Rivers | Jhelum, Chenab, Tawi |
Demographics and Social Structure
| Density | ~297/km² |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate | 67.16% |
| Population (2011 Census) | 12.5 million |
| Religious Mix | Muslim majority in Kashmir; Hindu majority in Jammu |
| Sex Ratio | 889 |
Economy and Industry
| Handicrafts | Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets, papier-mâché |
|---|---|
| Hydropower Potential | ~20,000 MW (Chenab, Jhelum basins) |
| Major Products | Saffron (world-renowned), apples, walnuts |
| Tourism Share | ~7-8% of UT GSDP |
Education and Research
| Medical College | Government Medical College, Srinagar |
|---|---|
| Premier Institute | IIT Jammu, NIT Srinagar, AIIMS Jammu |
| Universities | University of Kashmir (Srinagar), University of Jammu |
Infrastructure and Connectivity
| Major Airports | Srinagar, Jammu, Leh (now Ladakh UT) |
|---|---|
| Marvel of Engineering | Chenab Rail Bridge (world's highest railway bridge, 359m) |
| Strategic Highway | NH 44 (Jammu-Srinagar) |
Culture and Heritage
| Cuisine | Wazwan (38-course Kashmiri feast), Rogan Josh, Yakhni |
|---|---|
| Folk Music | Chakri, Sufiyana Kalam |
| Languages | Kashmiri (Indo-Aryan) is unique to the region |
| Major Festival | Eid, Lohri, Baisakhi, Hemis |
Tourism and Places of Interest
| Famous Valley | Kashmir Valley (Paradise on Earth) |
|---|---|
| Hill Stations | Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg |
| Lakes | Dal Lake (with shikara rides and houseboats) |
| Mughal Heritage | Mughal Gardens (Shalimar, Nishat) |
| Pilgrimage | Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave |
Fun facts
| Cricket Heritage | Kashmir Willow makes top-quality cricket bats |
|---|---|
| Highest Rail Bridge | Chenab Bridge is 35m taller than Eiffel Tower |
| Saffron | World's most expensive spice — Kashmir's Pampore is famous for it |