The State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, (Urdu: آزاد جممو اور کشمیر پاکستان) also called Azad Kashmir is a self governing region of Pakistan. Together with Gilgit Baltistan it makes upPakistan-administered Kashmir. In terms of land area it is bigger than Trinidad and Tobago but smaller than Brunei.
Gilgit Baltistan is to the north, while the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir is to the east which is the region of dispute between Pakistan and India. The 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 Punjabi origin and ethnic Kashmiri Muslims. About 4 million people live there.
| Azad Kashmir آزاد جموں و کشمیر |
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| State of Pakistan | |||
| Azād Jāmmu o Kāshmir | |||
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_(claims_hatched).svg) Location of Azad Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Coordinates: 34.22°N 73.28°ECoordinates: 34.22°N 73.28°E | |||
| Country | Pakistan | ||
| Established | 1 July 1970 | ||
| Capital | Muzaffarabad | ||
| Largest city | Mirpur | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Autonomous territory of Pakistan | ||
| • Body | Legislative Assembly | ||
| • President | [1] | ||
| • Prime Minister | [2] | ||
| 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 | PKT (UTC+5) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | PK-AK | ||
| Main Language(s) |
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| Assembly seats | 33[3] | ||
| Districts | 10 | ||
| State animal | Kashmir stag |  |
| State bird | Black-necked Crane |  |
| State tree | Chinar tree |  |
| State flower | Rhododendron ponticum |  |
Government and politics
Azad Kashmir is a self-governing state under Pakistan.[4][5] 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.[4][5] 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 capitalof the Azad Kashmir disputed territory.
Divisions
The state is divided into three divisions.[6] 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[7] | 2,496 | 638,973 | Muzaffarabad |
| Hattian | ? | ? | Hattian Bala | |
| Neelum[8] | 3,621 | 106,778 | Athmuqam | |
| Poonch | Poonch | 855 | 411,035 | Rawalakot[7] |
| Haveli | 600 (est.) | 150,000 (est.) | Forward Kahuta[7] | |
| Bagh | 768 | 243,415 | Bagh | |
| Sudhnoti | 569 | 334,091 | 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.[4]
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.
Pak visitors 