Azad Jammu & Kashmir - Land and People

LAND AND PEOPLE
Location:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 73°-75° and latitude 33°-36° and comprises of 5,134 Square Miles or 13,297 Square Kilometers.
Topography:
The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The are is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. The main rivers are Jhelum , Neelam and poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north The snow line in winter is around 1200 meters above sea level while in summer it raises to 3300 meters.
Population:
The total population of 2.973 million according to the population census of 1998, is estimated to be 3.4 in year 2003 million. Almost 100% population is Muslim. Out of total population 88% are living in the rural area while 12.% are the urban residents. The population density is 252 persons per Sq. kilometer. The literacy rate is about 60%. According to the most recent available survey the, majority of rural population depends on forestry, livestock and agriculture to eke-out its subsistence. The average per capita income is hardly US$ 200 to 250.