Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir often abbreviated as Kashmir, is the northern-most state of India, lying mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with Himachal Pradesh to the south, Pakistan to the west and People's Republic of China to the north and the east.Srinagar is its summer capital, and Jammu its winter capital. The Vale of Kashmir, also known as Kashmir Valley, is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape. Known as the "City of Temples", Jammu attracts tens of thousands of Hindu and Muslim pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture which was established as early as the 2nd century.Jammu and Kashmir has large and vibrant communities of Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.Jammu and Kashmir's economy is mostly dependent on tourism, farming and animal husbandry. Though small, the manufacturing and services sector is growing rapidly. In recent years, several consumer goods companies have opened manufacturing units in the region. Jammu and Kashmir has reaped the benefits of the recent surge in India's economy. In 2006, the state's gross domestic product rose to 12 billion USD in current prices.