At an elevation of 14,000 feet, with peaks reaching as high as 24,000 feet, this arid country is one of the highest inhabited places on earth. Approximately 175,000 inhabitants populate its 245,000 square miles. Due to the border conflict between India and Pakistan, travel to the area was prohibited until thirty years ago. Today, it is an object of fascination to outsiders for many reasons.
Mountain climbers come to brave the altitude and scale the peaks.
Indian families flock to the capital city of Leh from June to August to escape the oppressive heat and rain of southern India while Nepali, Sikkimi, and Kashmiri men arrive in June seeking employment created by the swelling tide of tourists. Traditionally, farming has been the staple of Ladakhi life, with focus on the group instead of the individual. Every village has a group designated to plan funerals and care for the household when a family member dies so that the family has time to grieve. Any social disputes are resolved by a council elected by the village. Until recent years, no attention was paid to social, economic, or gender status, and jealousy, while not unheard of, was extremely rare.