Ladakh facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Ladakh
Region
The Walna river, Wanla village, Zanskar
Map showing Ladakh, in pink. The rest of Kashmir under Indian control is shown in blue and Siachen Glacier in white.
Countries	India/Pakistan
Division	Jammu and Kashmir
Districts	Kargil, Leh
Area
• Total	49,146 km² (18,975 sq mi)
Population (2001)
• Total	270,126
• Density	5.49640/km² (14.23561/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Ladakhi, Tibetan, Kashmiri, Urdu, Balti
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration	Leh:JK10/Kargil:JK07
Main cities	Leh/Kargil
Infant mortality rate	19% (1981)
Website	,

Ladakh (Standard Tibetan: ལ་དྭགས Urdu: لدّاخ) is a special region in northern India. Its name means "land of high passes". It is part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh sits between the Kunlun range in the north and the main Himalayas to the south.

This area is famous for its amazing mountain views. It is home to people from both Indo-Aryan and Tibetan backgrounds. Their language is an old form of Tibetan. Because of its strong Tibetan culture, Ladakh is often called "Little Tibet". It is one of the least populated regions in the area.

In the past, Ladakh was a very important place for trade. Many key trade routes met there. But in the 1960s, China closed its border with Tibet. This made international trade much harder. However, Tourism has grown a lot since 1974. It is now very important for Ladakh's economy. The Indian military has a strong presence here. This is because the wider region is part of a border area.

The biggest town in Ladakh is Leh. It is one of the few places in South Asia where Buddhism is still very strong. Most people in Ladakh are Tibetan Buddhists. The rest are mostly Shia Muslims. Kargil is the second largest town. Some local activists want Ladakh to become a separate union territory. They feel this way because of its different religions and cultures compared to Kashmir, which is mostly Muslim.

Geography and Rivers
People and Culture
- Occupations and Trade
- Sports and Adventure
Animals of Ladakh
Images for kids
See also

Geography and Rivers

Ladakh is the highest plateau in Jammu and Kashmir. Much of it is over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level. It covers parts of the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. It also includes the upper Indus River valley.

The Indus River is very important to the people of Ladakh. Most major towns, like Shey, Leh, Basgo, and Tingmosgang, are near the Indus River. The part of the Indus River that flows through Ladakh is the only part of this river in India. This river is considered sacred in Hindu culture.

People and Culture

A Ladakhi woman in traditional clothes.

Religions in Ladakh
Religion			Percent
Islam			47.39%
Buddhism			45.86%
Hinduism			6.22%

The people of Ladakh are quite unique. Their faces, bodies, and clothes look more like those from Tibet and Central Asia than from other parts of India. The first people here might have been Dards. They were an Indo-Aryan group from the Indus and Gilgit areas.

About 46% of Ladakhis are Buddhist. Just over 47% are Muslim, and 6% are Hindu. Kargil District is the only district in Ladakh where most people are Muslim.

Many Ladakhis traditionally lived a nomadic life, moving with their animals. About 90% of them now depend on agriculture. They grow crops using water from the Indus River. Main crops include barley, wheat, buckwheat, peas, and beans. Apples and apricots grow in warmer, lower areas.

Occupations and Trade

Another important job is raising sheep. The herdsmen are called Chang-pas. They raise goats and sheep with long hair. From their soft under-fleece, the famous Kashmiri Pashmina shawls are made. Chang-pas live in tents and move around to find good places for their animals to graze.

People in Ladakh are also very interested in trade. Raw wool is their main product to sell. Men travel far to get good prices for their goods. These include salt, dried fruits, pearls, and semi-precious stones. In return, they buy tea, tobacco, grain, sugar, and other important items.

Sports and Adventure

Playing polo on fast ponies is the most popular sport in Ladakh. Unlike Western polo, players use the same sturdy pony for the whole game. They still use simple wooden balls and play on rough fields. Polo is still very popular in Ladakh.

Ladakh is also a great place for adventure. Hunters can find animals like the markhor, ibex, red bear, snow leopard, wild sheep, antelope, gazelle, and marmot. Ladakh also has minerals like gold, copper, and semi-precious stones.

For mountain climbers, Ladakh offers exciting treks. These include the Chadar Trek, also known as the frozen Zanskar river trek. Another is the Stok Kangri Trek, which reaches 6,153 meters (20,182 feet). Climbers can experience climbing the highest peak in the Stok Range of the Himalayas here.

Animals of Ladakh

Ladakh is home to many unique wild animals. You can find the black-necked crane here. These birds come to India every year to breed. Other animals include the markhor, ibex, red bear, snow leopard, wild sheep, antelope, gazelle, and marmot. Yaks are also common in Ladakh.

Images for kids

South Asia in 565 CE
The empire of Kyide Nyimagon divided among his three sons, c. 930 CE. The border between Ladakh/Maryul and Guge-Purang is shown in a thin dotted line, north of Gartok
another royal scene]] at nearby Mangyu Monastery.
Jama Masjid of Leh next to the Leh Palace
Thikse Monastery, Ladakh
The empire of kings Tsewang Namgyal and Jamyang Namgyal, about 1560–1600 CE
Cham dance during Dosmoche festival in Leh Palace
National Highway No 1
Ladakh (L) shown in the wider Kashmir region
The confluence of the Indus (flowing left-to-right) and Zanskar (coming in from top) rivers.
The Ladakh region has high altitude
View of Leh Town Along with Stok Kangri
The black-necked crane comes to India every year for breeding. Photograph has been taken at Tso Kar, Ladakh.
Wild animals of Ladakh
Yaks in Ladakh
Banner of the Administration of Ladakh
Street market in Leh
Preparing apricots. Alchi Monastery.
A vehicle on the Himalaya Highway 3
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
Thukpa
Dancer in masked dance festival
Jabro Dance
Sul-ma, woman's woollen dress (detail), Ladakh, late 19th-early 20th century
First ever Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh
Woman wearing traditional Ladakhi hat
Indian Astronomical Observatory near Leh
Ladakh horsemen, depicted in Alchi Monastery, circa 13th century CE
The nine stupas at Thiksey Monastery
Statue of Maitreya at Likir Monastery, Leh district
Likir Monastery, Ladakh
Phyang Gompa, Ladakh
Hemis Monastery in the 1870s
Pensi La
Shingo La
Shanti Stupa, Leh
Front of the Thiksey Monastery
Likir Monastery
Trees nestled in front of the Himalayas near Leh
Nubra Valley view with reflection
Carved stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" along the paths of Zanskar