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Azad Kashmir

آزاد جموں و کشمیر
Autonomous State
Azād Jāmmu o Kāshmir
Azad kashmir.jpg
Flag of Azad Kashmir Official seal of Azad Kashmir
Seal
Location of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Location of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Location of Azad Kashmir
Country Pakistan
Established 24 October 1947
Capital Muzaffarabad
Largest city Mirpur
Government
 • Type Autonomous territory of Pakistan
 • Body Legislative Assembly
Area
 • Total 13,297 km2 (5,134 sq mi)
Population
 (2008; est.)
 • Total 4,567,982
 • Density 343.535/km2 (889.75/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+5 (PKT)
ISO 3166 code PK-JK
Main Language(s)
  • Urdu (National & Official) and Pahari language
Assembly seats 33
Districts 10
Website azadkashmir.gov.pk

The State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, (Urdu: آزاد جموں اور کشمیر پاکستان) also called Azad Kashmir. In terms of land area it is bigger than Trinidad and Tobago but smaller than Brunei.

Pakistani region of Gilgit Baltistan is to the north, while the Indian Administered disputed territory of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK) is to the east which is the region of dispute between Pakistan and Held by Indian military armed occupational forces. Pakistani province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is west of it, and the Pakistani province of Punjab is south of it.

The capital city of Azad Kashmir is Muzaffarabad. Azad Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 5,134 mi² (13,297 km²). The inhabitants of this region are Kashmiri citizens of ethnic Pahari origin. About 4 million people live there.

Government and politics

Azad Kashmir is a self-governing state under Pakistan. It has its own elected president, prime minister, legislature, high court, emblem and official flag. However, the highest body in the state is the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. This council has six members from the government of Azad Kashmir (including the President and the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir) and five members from the government of Pakistan, including the President of Pakistan who is the chairman/chief executive of the council. Azad Kashmir is administratively divided into three divisions which, in turn, are divided into ten districts.

The Government of Azad Kashmir and Jammu is based in Muzaffarabad, the interim state capital of the Azad Kashmir disputed territory.

Divisions

The state is divided into three divisions. The divisions are further divided into districts. There are 10 districts.

Division District Area (km²) Population (1998) Headquarters
Mirpur Bhimber 1,516 301,633 Bhimber
Kotli 1,862 563,094 Kotli
Mirpur 1,010 333,482 Mirpur
Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad 2,496 453,975 Muzaffarabad
Hattian 166,064
Neelum Valley 3621 125,712 Authmuqam
Poonch Poonch 855 411,035 Rawalakot
Haveli 600 (est.) 111,694 (est.) Forward Kahuta
Bagh 768 281,721 Bagh
Sudhnoti 569 224,091 Pallandari
AJK Total 10 districts 13,297 2,972,501 Muzaffarabad

Geography

The northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir encompasses the lower area of the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak (4,734 m or 15,531 ft). However, Hari Parbat peak in Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the state. Fertile, green, mountainous valleys are characteristic of Azad Kashmir's geography, making it one of the most beautiful regions of the subcontinent.

The region receives rainfall in both the winter and the summer. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of Pakistan. Throughout most of the region, the average rainfall exceeds 1400 mm, with the highest average rainfall occurring near Muzaffarabad (around 1800 mm). During the summer season, monsoon floods of the rivers Jhelum and Leepa are common due to extreme rains and snow melting.

Azad Kashmir State Symbols
Title Symbol Image
State animal Kashmir stag Largest Red Deer.jpg
State bird Himalayan monal Lophophorus impejanus (Himalayan Monal) 3.JPG
State flower Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron pontica-1.jpg
State tree Platanus orientalis Platanus orientalis tree.JPG



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See also

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