Azad Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, () also just called Azad Kashmir is a self-governing Pakistani region. In terms of land area it is bigger than Trinidad and Tobago but smaller than Brunei.

Geographically, to the north, is the Gilgit-Baltistan province, while to the south borders the province of the Pakistani Punjab, and to the east being the Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The capital city of Azad Kashmir is Muzaffarabad. Azad Kashmir has an area of 5,134 mi² (13,297 km²). The inhabitants of this region are mostly 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" at britannica.com Azad Kashmir is administratively divided into three divisions which, in turn, are divided into ten districts.

The Government of Azad Kashmir 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.

DivisionDistrictArea (km²)Population (1998)HeadquartersMirpurBhimber1,516301,633BhimberKotli1,862563,094KotliMirpur1,010333,482MirpurMuzaffarabadMuzaffarabad 2,496453,975MuzaffarabadHattian166,064Neelum Valley3621125,712AuthmuqamPoonchPoonch855411,035RawalakotHaveli600 (est.) 111,694 (est.) Forward KahutaBagh768281,721BaghSudhnoti569224,091PallandariAJK Total10 districts13,2972,972,501Muzaffarabad

 Geography 
The northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir encompasses the lower area of the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak (). 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 markhor   frameless|upright=.50 State bird Kashmir Koklass pheasant  frameless|upright=.50 State flower Kashmir White  frameless|upright=.50 State tree Himalayan birch tree frameless|upright=.50

References

Category:1949 establishments
Category:Autonomous areas
Category:Territories of Pakistan
Category:1948 in Asia
Category:Foreign relations of Pakistan
Category:Jammu and Kashmir
Category:Azad Kashmir
Category:Regions of India
Category:Unrecognized countries
Category:India-related lists
Category:India geography-related lists