Shopian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shopian
Shupyan
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Town
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   From the top:
Historical Jamia Masjid in Shopian, Historical Aliabad Saria and Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary |
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 Shopian
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Shopian
Location in India
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| Country |  India |
| Union territory | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Shopian |
| Government | |
| • Type | District Magistrate - Presidential Rule |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.44 km2 (2.10 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,057 m (6,749 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 16,360 |
| • Density | 3,007/km2 (7,789/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Shopianites, Shopiani |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English |
| Demographics | |
| • Literacy rate | 78.6% |
| • Sex ratio | 755.6 ♀/ 1000 ♂ |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
192303
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| Area code(s) | 01933 |
| Vehicle registration | JK22 |
Shopian (also called Shupyan in Kashmiri) is a town in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located in the southern part of the beautiful Kashmir Valley.
Shopian is often known as the Apple Town of Kashmir. This is because most people living here grow apples. Apple farming provides jobs for more than 60% of the population. This makes Shopian one of the richest districts in the Kashmir region, right after Srinagar.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Shopian might come from the words "shah-payan," which means "royal stay." This idea was suggested by a geologist named Frederic Drew.
However, many local people believe the name came from "Shin-Van." This old name means "snow forest."
Shopian is a very old town in Kashmir. It was important because it was on an ancient royal road called the Mughal Road. This road connected Lahore and Srinagar. From 1872 to 1892, Shopian was one of the six main administrative centers in Kashmir.
A Look at History
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A famous event called the Battle of Shopian happened here in 1819. During this battle, Sikh forces fought against Afghan forces. The Sikh forces won and took control of Kashmir.
Where is Shopian?
Shopian is located at coordinates 33°43′N 74°50′E / 33.72°N 74.83°E. It is about 2,057 meters (6,749 feet) above sea level. The town is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away from Srinagar, a major city in Kashmir.
People and Population
According to the 2011 India census, Shopian Municipal Committee had 16,360 people.
- There were 9,319 males (57%) and 7,041 females (43%).
- About 2,063 people (12.6%) were aged 0-6 years old.
- The literacy rate (people who can read and write) for those over six was 78.6%. For males, it was 86.7%, and for females, it was 67.8%.
- On average, about 6 people lived in each house in the town.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1911 | 2,114 | — |
| 1921 | 2,236 | +0.56% |
| 1931 | 2,217 | −0.09% |
| 1941 | 4,359 | +6.99% |
| 1951 | 5,182 | +1.74% |
| 1961 | 6,005 | +1.48% |
| 1971 | 7,836 | +2.70% |
| 1981 | 9,653 | +2.11% |
| 2001 | 12,246 | +1.20% |
| 2011 | 16,360 | +2.94% |
Learning and Education
Shopian has good options for higher education.
- In 1988, the government opened the Government Degree College, Shopian. This college helps students get a university education.
- More recently, a Government Polytechnic college was built in Shopian. This college offers technical diploma courses in engineering.
Fun Places to Visit
Many people visit Shopian to see its beautiful tourist spots.
- Peer Ki Gali is a mountain top located on the Mughal Road. It offers amazing views.
- Mughal Sarai is an old palace next to a river along the Mughal Road. Mughal rulers used this palace as a resting spot during their travels.
- Dabjan forests are another lovely place to visit in Shopian. There is a spring in the middle of this forest.
- The famous national park, Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, is also in the district.
Animals in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many different animals, including:
- Himalayan brown bear
- Himalayan black bear
- musk deer
- leopard
- Tibetan wolf
- Himalayan palm civet
- The critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor (a type of wild goat)
More than 130 types of birds also live in the sanctuary. Some of these birds are:
- Spotted forktail
- Western tragopan
- Rock bunting
- Rufous-breasted accentor
- Himalayan woodpecker
- Blue rock thrush
- White-capped redstart
- Himalayan griffon
- Common stonechat
- Grey wagtail
Shopian's Economy
Shopian's economy mainly depends on farming, especially growing apples. It is known as the "Apple Bowl of Kashmir" because its fertile land helps produce a lot of apples. Apple production has increased a lot recently, helping both the local and national fruit markets.
The government is also helping the apple industry. They approved a big project called the "Apple Cluster." This project aims to improve apple farming, how apples are handled after harvest, and how they are sold. The goal is to make Shopian apples competitive around the world.
Besides apples, people also grow walnuts and other fruits. The area's location in the Pir Panjal Range is perfect for these crops. Other activities like sheep farming and small businesses also help the local economy. Shopian's location on the Mughal Road also makes it a trading center, connecting it to other parts of Kashmir and northern India.
See also
In Spanish: Shupiyan para niños
