The Region

Kashmir lies in the far north west of the Indian subcontinent, covering an area of 222,235 square kilometres (85,800 square miles) across the Western Himalayas.

One of the 565 princely States on which the British paramountcy lapsed on August 15, 1947, Kashmir acceded to India, but not before a part of the state was occupied by Pakistan. These two parts are separated by the LoC (Line of Control). The valley of Kashmir falls in India and is well connected by air, rail and road.

Once called "Heaven on Earth" by Jahangir, 17th century ruler of the Mughal Empire, Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and has often been referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East'.