Mountain Ranges in Kashmir
The Karakoram range, Zanskar range, Nun Kun range and the Nanga Parbat are among the important mountain ranges in the region. Other ranges include the Shivaliks, Pir Panjal range and its offshoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts. Parts of the Western Himalayas also lie in the region.
The Karakoram Range is glaciated and rises from dry plateaus characterized by extreme temperatures. The Karakoram Range has some of the world's highest mountain peaks and huge glaciers such as the Baltoro glacier. The temperatures in these parts are very low and the region is snow covered due to the extremely cold temperature. The second highest peak in the world, mount K2, lies in the Karakoram Range. Some of the other mountain peaks in these ranges include Gasherbrum peak, Distaghil Sar peak and Saser Kangri peak. The Karakoram Range forms a geographical divide in-between Central Asia and India. The Karakoram Range stretches for about 500 kilometers in length. Because of the fact that the Karakoram Range is situated at an extremely high altitude, the area is very sparsely populated. Several important mountain passes, for example the Karakoram pass and Nubra pass, lie in this region.
The Zanskar Range lies to the north of the Himalayas. The Zanskar range is divided from the main Himalayas by the Stod valley and the Tsarap valley. This Mountain range lies 600 meters above the sea level. The Zanskar Range geographically divides the Zanskar region from the Ladakh region. The Zanskar range has an area of 15220 square kilometers and lies at about 7055.1 metres above the sea level. The Zanskar Range lies in-between the Ladakh and Kashmir border. An important mountain pass in this region is the Bawalocha pass.
The Nanga Parbat Range is at about a height of 8107.8 meters above the sea level. This region lies in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) area.
The Shivaliks are the youngest and the most newly formed range that constitute the Himalayan chain, this region is rich is conifers and has some of the most attractive and frequently visited tourist destinations. Some of the well-known hill stations in this area are Kangra, Dalhousie, Kullu, Shimla, Nanital, Dehradun, Manali, Dharamsala, Mussorie and Kufri. This area is known for its picturesque and natural beauty.
The Pir Panjal Range lies on the south of the Himalayas and is approximately 5000 metres above the sea level. The Pir Panjal Range separates the Jammu region from the Kashmir Valley. This region has several trekking trails that attract tourists from the world over. The Doda region is an offshoot of the Pir Panjal Range and is well know for its tourist attractions, which include trekking trails and health spas and resorts. The Poonch district in the Pir Panjal range is also very popular among tourists for trekking purposes.

Geography of Kashmir

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is situated between 32.17 degree and 36.58-degree north latitude and 37.26 degree and 80.30-degree east longitude; the total area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is 22,22,236 square kilometers. The geography of the Kashmir valley, stretches for about 84 miles from the northeast to the southwest and is approximately 20 to 25 miles broad. Its height above the sea level is over 5,000 feet. The topography of the state is such that, low-lying valleys surrounded by mountain ranges characterize it; the most important of them all is the Kashmir valley that lies 1700 metres above the sea level, encompassed by the mighty Himalayas. Some of these valleys are the Tawi valley, Chenab valley, Poonch valley and Sind Valley.
The mountain chains that adorn the region include the Karakoram range, Nun Kun range, the Zanskar range and Nanga Parbat. The State of Jammu and Kashmir has many Himalayan rivers flowing through it; the most significant among these are the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. Due to the geography, location, climate, soil, rainfall and altitude, the vegetation in the area ranges from tropical deciduous forests to temperate and coniferous forests. The Jammu and Kashmir region has loamy soil rich in magnesia, in most parts. The other varieties of soils found in the region are clay, sandy and peats. As far as the regional flora is concerned, the area is rich in pines, conifers and medicinal herbs. Fauna in the Jammu and Kashmir region ranges from a variety of mountain birds to animals. The climate in this part of India, as any other depends upon the time of the year and location, the area in naturally cool and extremely cold depending upon the altitude and mountainous geography.

History of Kashmir

History of Kashmir

Cradled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Kashmir is the arguably most beautiful place in the world.
Kalhan, the greatest historian of India refers to Kashmir in the following words:
"It is a country where the sun shines mildly, being the place created by Rishi Kashyap, for his glory - big and lofty houses, learning, Saffron, icy cool water and grapes rare in Heaven are plentiful here - Kailash is the best place in the three worlds (Tri-lok), Himalayas the best place in Kailash, and Kashmir the best place in Himalayas".
The greatest Sanskrit poet Kalidasa writes about the valley:
"The place is more beautiful than the heaven and is the benefactor of supreme bliss and happiness. It seems to me that I am taking a bath in the lake of nectar here."
After reading these lines, no one should be left with any doubt about the fact that Kashmir is the most beautiful place in the world.
Kashmir is the only region of India to have a historical record of its distant past. Such is not the case with the other parts of India which led to the 11th century, the Islamic scholar Alberuni to remark that Indians lack a sense of history. Kashmir has also the distinction of producing historians of repute. Chief among them is Kalhan, the author of Rajatarangini. Bilhana was another Sanskrit historian who was born in Kashmir. The court poet at Kalyana in the South India, he authored Vikramankadeva-charita to celebrate the reign of Vikramaditya VI, the Chalukya king of Kalyana.

This is about my Paradise Kashmir

Kashmir Valley

The Kashmir valley region is famous for it picturesque natural beauty and among other things is known for its Dal Lake that reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountain peaks. Among the most interesting attractions in the region are the Mogul Gardens, the floating vegetable and flower markets and the unique experience of staying on a houseboat. The Valley is known for its fresh apples and the intricate embroidery stitching that is done on the traditional warm kurtas, for both, men and women.
Kashmir is very popular for its golf courses. Tours and travel to Kashmir can be a beautiful experience for those who spend time viewing the floating vegetable and flower markets. These take place in secluded tree-lined canals.
The Dal Lake is perhaps the most important and picturesque tourist destination in Kashmir. It is very popular for its shikara rides and houseboats.
As far as handicrafts are concerned, Kashmir is very popular for its carpets and wall hangings. Kashmir is known for its pashmina and cashmere scarves. Kashmir in the ancient times was the seat of Buddhism. Besides Buddhism many faiths have taken birth and have flourished in the Kashmir region.
Kashmir has a rich cultural heritage. The ancient work of art, Rajatarangini, is an account of the rulers who have ruled the region over a period of 4000 years.
Among the important pilgrimages in Kashmir are Amreshwar, popularly known as Amarnath, Sureshwar, Tripreshwar, Hareshwar, Jeshteshwar, Shivbuteshwar and Sharda Saritshilla.
The Kashmir valley is known for its fresh apples and the intricate embroidery stitching that is done on the traditional warm kurtas, for both, men and women known as phirans. The Kashmir valley has been known since the ancient times as the valley of flowers. A Mughal emperor used the phrase, paradise on earth, to describe the Kashmir valley. The valley is known for its tall chinar trees and snow capped peaks. The famous Mughal Gardens are located on the banks of the Dal Lake and are a must visit for any one who visits Kashmir. The Dal Lake in the Kashmir valley is of course known for its floating houseboats. Tours and travel packages to the Kashmir Valley region offer special options for those interested in staying on the houseboats.