Azad Kashmir Introduction

At the time of the division of the sub-continent in 1947 when the people of Kashmir smelt the conspiracy of Dogra rulers to hand over Kashmir to India, they revolted against him and got liberated some areas. These areas are now known by the name of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir state is located in the northeast of Pakistan. Total area of the state is 13,297 square kilometers with total population 2,915,000 as per 1998-census. According to 1999 projections, total population of Azad Jammu and Kashmir stands at 2,982,000. Azad Kashmir is stretched in the shape of a crescent; 400 kilometers in length with width varying from 15 to 60 kilometers. Azad Kashmir extends from the plains of Mirpur at the northern edge of the Punjab through the outlying foothills of the Himalayas, to the mountains in the north at 6,000 meters above sea level. The state is drained by three major rivers, the Jhelum, the Neelam and the Poonch whose valleys are very beautiful. The terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 15,000 feet high mountains in northwest touching the Punjab plains. The area is criss-crossed with rivers and numerous nullahs.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is bounded to Pakistan in southwest and in the east to the Line of Control or (ceasefire line) with occupied Kashmir. The state is divided into two divisions-Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, comprising 7 districts consisting of 18 tehsils/sub-divisions. The territory of Azad Kashmir is dotted with a vast chain of scenic and natural beauty spots amidst flowing streams, gushing springs and flowering plants. The mountain tops over the valley look like circular and rectangular caps. The panorama is really enchanting.

LANGUAGES - Official language of the state is Urdu. Local languages spoken in the state are Kashmiri, Pahari, Gojri and Hindko
HANDICRAFT - Carpets, Namda, Gubba, Pattu, Shawl are the notable handicraft prepared in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
MINERALS - The state is rich in natural resources such as Gipsum, Lemonite, Mica, Marble, Ruby, Turmaline, Bentonite, Yello Ocher, Pyrites, Limestone and Dolomite etc.

WILDLIFE - Snow leopard, Panther, Leopard, Bob Cat, Throated Marten, Red Fox, Browen Bearm, Black Bear, Blue Bull, Grey Goral, Musk Deer, Himalayan Ibex, Pirjpunjal Markhor, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snow cock, Chakor Black Partridge, Grey Partridge, Western Horned Tragapan, Pheasant and Cheer Pheasant.
Area 13297 square kilometers
Population 2,915,000
Divisions 2
Districts 7
Sub-Divisions/Tehsils 19

Districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
· Bagh
· Bhimber
· Kotli
· Mirpur
· Muzafarabad
· Poonch
· Sudhnuti