The state stretches between 32.17 degrees to 36.58 degrees north and the altitude rises steeply from 900 to 22,000 feet, above sea level. These extremes also give rise to climate extremes. There are hot, monsoonal plains in the southern Jammu Province, and cold, dry tablelands in Ladakh. The state is said to have six two-month seasons: Spring from March 15 to May 15; Summer from May 16 to July 15; Rainy Season from July 16 to Sept. 15; Autumn from Sept. 16 to Nov. 15; Winter from Nov. 16 to Jan. 15; and Ice Cold from Jan. 16 to March 14.
The India-Pakistan partition took place during the reign of Hari Singh in 1947. Rulers of the princely states were given the choice to remain independent or freely accede to either India or Pakistan. The Maharaja of Kashmir, being a Hindu, choose to accede to India, despite the majority of the population being Muslim. This has been controversial ever since, and Pakistan claims that the region should be a part of its dominion. Terrorism and insurgency has been problematic in India, and tourists planning to travel throughout the country should check with the U.S. Department of State for the latest reports and recommendations.
The government is keen to encourage tourism in the state, and improve upon the approximately 60,000 domestic and international visitors it welcomes each month during the summer and fall. In Kashmir, there is plenty to occupy outdoor and nature lovers. Originally, the valley of Kashmir used to be vast lake, which over time was drained by the deepening of the Baramulla Khadiniyar gorge. The valley has an abundance of lakes, fresh water streams, forests, hills, mountains and meadows, and tourists can enjoy them all through the numerous available activities including trekking, hiking, mountaineering, skiing, rafting and fishing.
The many religious shrines in Kashmir welcome thousands of visitors each year. The Shiva Temple, at Shankaracharya for example, is the oldest shrine in Kashmir, although it is not certain if the temple exists in the same form as it had been built more than 2,000 years ago. The temple, besides a prominent Hindu religious place, is of great archaeological importance, and commands panoramic views of the city of Srinagar. The most important Muslim shrine in Kashmir is that of the Hazratbal Shrine, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Kashmir's international airport is located in Srinagar. As of June 2010, the only international flights available are the weekly flights from Dubai, while daily flights are available from New Delhi and other major cities in India. National Highway, 1-A, is the all-weather road, connecting Srinagar with Jammu, 186 miles away. Jammu is connected by roads to many parts of Northern India, including New Delhi. Rail links north of Jammu are very limited, although there are plans to expand rail routes by 2020.
