Kashmir Valley - Revision history

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	{{Short description\|Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, India}}		{{Short description\|Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, India}}
			{{About\|the geographic area\|the administrative division governing the area\|Kashmir division}}
	{{Other uses\|Kashmir (disambiguation)}}		{{Other uses\|Kashmir (disambiguation)}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=September 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=September 2021}}
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	The '''Kashmir Valley''', also known as the ''Vale of Kashmir'', is an [[intermontane]] valley in northern [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)\|Jammu and Kashmir]], a region administered by [[India]] as a union territory and part of the larger [[Kashmir]] region, which has been the subject of a [[Kashmir#Kashmir dispute\|dispute]] between India and [[Pakistan]] since 1947, and between India and [[China]] since 1962.<ref name="britannica-jammu-kashmir">(a) {{citation \|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent \|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent \|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica \|editor=Encyclopaedia Britannia \|access-date=15 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories. China became active in the eastern area of Kashmir in the 1950s and has controlled the northeastern part of Ladakh (the easternmost portion of the region) since 1962.";		The '''Kashmir Valley''', also known as the '''Vale of Kashmir''', is an [[intermontane]] valley in the northern part of Indian-administered [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)\|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="britannica-jammu-kashmir">(a) {{citation \|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent \|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent \|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica \|editor=Encyclopaedia Britannia \|access-date=15 August 2019 \|archive-date=17 June 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617074549/https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent \|url-status=live }} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories. China became active in the eastern area of Kashmir in the 1950s and has controlled the northeastern part of Ladakh (the easternmost portion of the region) since 1962.";

	(b) {{citation \|title=Encyclopedia Americana \|page=328 \|year=2006 \|chapter=Kashmir \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328 \|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing \|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";</ref>		(b) {{citation \|title=Encyclopedia Americana \|page=328 \|year=2006 \|chapter=Kashmir \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328 \|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing \|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6 }} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";</ref> The valley is surrounded by the ranges of the [[Himalaya]]s, bounded on the southwest by the [[Pir Panjal Range]] and on the northeast by the [[Great Himalaya\|Greater Himalaya]]n Range. It is approximately {{cvt\|135\|km}} long and {{cvt\|32\|km}} wide, and drained by the [[Jhelum River]].<ref>{{citation\|title=Vale of Kashmir\|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica\|date=11 March 2021\|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Vale-of-Kashmir\|access-date=12 April 2021\|archive-date=4 August 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804074900/https://www.britannica.com/place/Vale-of-Kashmir\|url-status=live}}</ref> It falls entirely within the [[Kashmir Division]] of Jammu and Kashmir.

	The valley is surrounded by ranges of the [[Himalaya]]s, bounded on the southwest by the [[Pir Panjal Range]] and on the northeast by the [[Great Himalaya\|Greater Himalaya]]n ~~range~~. It is approximately {{cvt\|135\|km}} long and {{cvt\|32\|km}} wide, and drained by the [[Jhelum River]].<ref>{{citation\|title=Vale of Kashmir\|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica\|date=11 March 2021\| url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Vale-of-Kashmir\|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> It ~~forms the bulk of~~ the [[Kashmir Division]] of Jammu and Kashmir.

	==Geography==		==Geography==
	The Kashmir Valley lies between latitude [[33rd parallel north\|33°]] and [[35th parallel north\|35°N]], and longitude [[73rd meridian east\|73°]] and [[76th meridian east\|76°E]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|title=TOURISM POTENTIAL IN ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF TOURISM IN KASHMIR VALLEY\|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510723.pdf\|~~url~~-~~status~~=~~live~~\|~~access~~-date=20 October 2020\|~~website~~=core.ac.uk}}</ref> The valley is {{convert\|100\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} wide and covers {{convert\|15520.3\|km2\|sqmi\|abbr=on}} in area.<ref name="AA1">{{cite web\|url=https://www.asianage.com/columnists/indus-water-flow-can-t-be-stopped-721\|title=Indus: The water flow can't be stopped\|first=Mohan\|last=Guruswamy\|work=[[The Asian Age]]\|date=28 September 2016\|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> It is bounded by sub-ranges of the [[Western Himalayas]]: the [[Great Himalayas]] bound it in the northeast and separate it from the [[Tibetan Plateau]],<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/india-pakistan-conflict-07032019/\|title=Why India and Pakistan keep fighting over Kashmir – the history of the Kashmir conflict\|first=Mihai\|last=Andrei\|work=GME Science\|date=11 March 2019\|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> whereas the [[Pir Panjal Range]] in the [[Lesser Himalayas]] bounds it on the west and the south, and separates it from the [[Punjab Plain]].<ref name=wani-pp>{{citation\|last=Wani\|first=Rashid A.\|title=Climate Change and Biodiversity: Proceedings of the IGU Rohtak Conference, Volume 1 \|editor1-last=Singh\|editor1-first=Mehtab\|editor2-last=Singh\|editor2-first=R. B. \|editor3-last=Hassan\|editor3-first=M. I.\|series=Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences\|chapter=Historical Temporal Trends of Climatic Variables Over Kashmir Valley and Discharge Response to Climate Variability in Upper Jhelum Catchment\|pages=104–105\|publisher=Springer Japan\|year=2014\|isbn=978-4-431-54837-9\|doi=10.1007/978-4-431-54838-6_8\|quote=The valley of Kashmir was formed by folding and faulting as the Himalayan mountain chain was thrust between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. The valley runs northwest to southeast along the strike of the mountain chain and is drained by the river Jhelum which cuts through the Pir Pinjal at the Baramullah gap. This structural basin is 135 km in length with a maximum width of 40 km and ranges in altitude from 5,200 to 6,000 ft above sea level. Its floor stands 1,600 m above sea level in the Jhelum flood plain. It covers an area of about 4,865 km square. The valley is accessible from the Punjab plain through two famous passes; the Pir Panjal pass (3,494 m) and Banihal pass (2,832 m).}}</ref> The valley has an average elevation of {{convert\|1850\|m\|ft}} above sea-level,<ref name="AA1"/> but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of {{convert\|10000\|ft\|m}}.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/in-the-past-the-mountain-passes-were-entry-exit-points-for-travellers-and-invaders/article22136536.ece\|title=Doorway of the gods: Himalaya crosses five countries\|author1=Vrinda\|author2=J. Ramanan\|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]\|date=21 December 2017\|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> The [[Jhelum River]] is the ~~main~~ river of the Valley. It originates at [[Verinag]]; ~~its most important tributaries are the~~ [[Lidder River\|Lidder]] ~~and~~ [[Sind River\|Sind]] rivers. Unlike other areas of Kashmir region, the Kashmir Valley is densely populated owing to the availability of a large expanse of fertile flat land.		The Kashmir Valley lies between latitude [[33rd parallel north\|33°]] and [[35th parallel north\|35°N]], and longitude [[73rd meridian east\|73°]] and [[76th meridian east\|76°E]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|title=TOURISM POTENTIAL IN ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF TOURISM IN KASHMIR VALLEY\|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510723.pdf\|access-date=20 October 2020\|website=core.ac.uk\|archive-date=25 October 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025020027/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510723.pdf\|url-status=live}}</ref> The valley is {{convert\|100\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} wide and covers {{convert\|15520.3\|km2\|sqmi\|abbr=on}} in area.<ref name="AA1">{{cite web\|url=https://www.asianage.com/columnists/indus-water-flow-can-t-be-stopped-721\|title=Indus: The water flow can't be stopped\|first=Mohan\|last=Guruswamy\|work=[[The Asian Age]]\|date=28 September 2016\|access-date=9 August 2019\|archive-date=9 August 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809150759/https://www.asianage.com/columnists/indus-water-flow-can-t-be-stopped-721\|url-status=live}}</ref> It is bounded by sub-ranges of the [[Western Himalayas]]: the [[Great Himalayas]] bound it in the northeast and separate it from the [[Tibetan Plateau]],<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/india-pakistan-conflict-07032019/\|title=Why India and Pakistan keep fighting over Kashmir – the history of the Kashmir conflict\|first=Mihai\|last=Andrei\|work=GME Science\|date=11 March 2019\|access-date=9 August 2019\|archive-date=9 August 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809150802/https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/india-pakistan-conflict-07032019/\|url-status=live}}</ref> whereas the [[Pir Panjal Range]] in the [[Lesser Himalayas]] bounds it on the west and the south, and separates it from the [[Punjab Plain]].<ref name=wani-pp>{{citation\|last=Wani\|first=Rashid A.\|title=Climate Change and Biodiversity: Proceedings of the IGU Rohtak Conference, Volume 1 \|editor1-last=Singh\|editor1-first=Mehtab\|editor2-last=Singh\|editor2-first=R. B. \|editor3-last=Hassan\|editor3-first=M. I.\|series=Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences\|chapter=Historical Temporal Trends of Climatic Variables Over Kashmir Valley and Discharge Response to Climate Variability in Upper Jhelum Catchment\|pages=104–105\|publisher=Springer Japan\|year=2014\|isbn=978-4-431-54837-9\|doi=10.1007/978-4-431-54838-6_8\|quote=The valley of Kashmir was formed by folding and faulting as the Himalayan mountain chain was thrust between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. The valley runs northwest to southeast along the strike of the mountain chain and is drained by the river Jhelum which cuts through the Pir Pinjal at the Baramullah gap. This structural basin is 135 km in length with a maximum width of 40 km and ranges in altitude from 5,200 to 6,000 ft above sea level. Its floor stands 1,600 m above sea level in the Jhelum flood plain. It covers an area of about 4,865 km square. The valley is accessible from the Punjab plain through two famous passes; the Pir Panjal pass (3,494 m) and Banihal pass (2,832 m).}}</ref> The valley has an average elevation of {{convert\|1850\|m\|ft}} above sea-level,<ref name="AA1"/> but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of {{convert\|10000\|ft\|m}}.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/in-the-past-the-mountain-passes-were-entry-exit-points-for-travellers-and-invaders/article22136536.ece\|title=Doorway of the gods: Himalaya crosses five countries\|author1=Vrinda\|author2=J. Ramanan\|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]\|date=21 December 2017\|access-date=9 August 2019\|archive-date=2 August 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802011319/https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/in-the-past-the-mountain-passes-were-entry-exit-points-for-travellers-and-invaders/article22136536.ece\|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Jhelum River]] is the major river which acts a drainage for whole Kashmir Valley, before exiting the Kashmir Valley through Uri gorge the Jhelum River falls into [[Wular Lake]]<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://baramulla.nic.in/tourist-place/wular-lake/ \|title=Wular Lake}}</ref> second largest freshwater lake in Asia. Before entering Wular Lake Srinagar city and Sonawari lies on its banks and after leaving Wular Lake Sopore and Baramulla towns lies on its banks. It originates at [[Verinag]]; and then fed by a large number of glacier fed rivers and streams [[Lidder River\|Lidder]], [[Sind River\|Sind]] and Doodh Ganga rivers are its major tributaries. Unlike other areas of [[Kashmir\|Kashmir region]], the Kashmir Valley is densely populated owing to the availability of a large expanse of fertile flat land.

	==Climate==		==Climate==
	The Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering [[Karakoram\|Karakoram Range]] in the north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west, and [[Zanskar\|Zanskar Range]] in the east.<ref name="Kashmir surrounded">{{cite book \| author=Sharad Singh Negi \| title=Geo-botany of India \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oy-1AAAAIAAJ \|year=1986 \| publisher=Periodical Expert Book Agency, 1986 \| isbn= 9788171360055\| page=58–}}</ref> It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. As a large valley with significant differences in geo-location among various districts, the weather is often cooler in the hilly areas compared to the flat lower parts.		The Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering [[Karakoram\|Karakoram Range]] in the north, [[Pir Panjal Range]] in the south and west, and [[Zanskar\|Zanskar Range]] in the east.<ref name="Kashmir surrounded">{{cite book \| author=Sharad Singh Negi \| title=Geo-botany of India \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oy-1AAAAIAAJ \|year=1986 \| publisher=Periodical Expert Book Agency, 1986 \| isbn= 9788171360055\| page=58–}}</ref> It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. As a large valley with significant differences in geo-location among various districts, the weather is often cooler in the hilly areas compared to the flat lower parts.

	Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity is generally high and the nights are cool. Precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C).		Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity is generally high and the nights are cool. Precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C).

	The Kashmir Valley enjoys a moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The record high temperature is 37.~~8°C~~<ref>{{Cite web \|last=KO \|date=2022-06-30 \|title=No Respite in Sight, Kashmir Swelters in Intense Heat Wave \|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/06/30/no-respite-in-sight-kashmir-swelters-in-intense-heat-wave/ \|access-date=2022-07-06 \|website=Kashmir Observer \|language=en-US}}</ref> and the record low is −18 °C. On 5 and 6 January 2012, after years of relatively little snow, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures ([[winter storm]]) shocked the valley covering it in a thick layer of snow and ice.		The Kashmir Valley enjoys a moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The record high temperature is 37.8 °C<ref>{{Cite web \|last=KO \|date=2022-06-30 \|title=No Respite in Sight, Kashmir Swelters in Intense Heat Wave \|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/06/30/no-respite-in-sight-kashmir-swelters-in-intense-heat-wave/ \|access-date=2022-07-06 \|website=Kashmir Observer \|language=en-US}}</ref> and the record low is −18 °C. On 5 and 6 January 2012, after years of relatively little snow, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures ([[winter storm]]) shocked the valley covering it in a thick layer of snow and ice.

	The Valley has seen an increase in relative humidity and annual precipitation in the last few years. This is most likely because of the commercial afforestation projects which also include expanding parks and green cover.		The Valley has seen an increase in relative humidity and annual precipitation in the last few years. This is most likely because of the commercial afforestation projects which also include expanding parks and green cover.
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	==External links==		==External links==
			{{commons category}}
	* [http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/ Kashmir Division Administration]		* [http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/ Kashmir Division Administration]
	* [https://www.facebook.com/divisionalcommissioner.kashmir Kashmir Divisional Commissioner]		* [https://www.facebook.com/divisionalcommissioner.kashmir Kashmir Divisional Commissioner]
	* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}		* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
	* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312921/Vale-of-Kashmir Vale of Kashmir]		* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312921/Vale-of-Kashmir Vale of Kashmir]
	*{{cite web\|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/a-tryst-of-the-heart-and-history-along-the-karakoram-highway/\|title=A Tryst of the Heart and History along the Karakoram Highway\|first=Asma\|last=Khan\|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]\|date=26 April 2018\|access-date=9 August 2019}}		*{{cite web\|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/a-tryst-of-the-heart-and-history-along-the-karakoram-highway/\|title=A Tryst of the Heart and History along the Karakoram Highway\|first=Asma\|last=Khan\|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]\|date=26 April 2018\|access-date=9 August 2019}}

Soldier: Created Kashmir Valley

2023-09-08T14:45:44Z

Created Kashmir Valley

New page

{{Short description|Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, India}}
{{Other uses|Kashmir (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox valley
| name = Kashmir valley
|other_name=Vale of Kashmir
| photo = Kashmir-sat-nasa.jpg
| photo_size = 235
| photo_caption = [[Satellite imagery]] of the Kashmir Valley, showcasing the snow-capped peaks of the [[Pir Panjal Range]] (left in image; southwest in compass) and the [[Great Himalayas]] (right in image; northeast in compass) flanking it on either side
| length = {{convert|83|mi|km}}
| width = {{convert|20|mi|km}}
| direction = Northwest-Southeast
| coordinates =
| map =
| map_image = Geological map of Kashmir Valley.jpg
| map_caption = A 1938 geological map of the Kashmir Valley
| location = [[South Asia]]
| country = Administered by [[India]] in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region<ref name="britannica-jammu-kashmir"/>
| state = Union territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| area_footnotes =
| area_km2 = 15,520.3
| area_note =
| map_size = 180
| river = [[Jhelum River|Jhelum]]
}}

The '''Kashmir Valley''', also known as the ''Vale of Kashmir'', is an [[intermontane]] valley in northern [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], a region administered by [[India]] as a union territory and part of the larger [[Kashmir]] region, which has been the subject of a [[Kashmir#Kashmir dispute|dispute]] between India and [[Pakistan]] since 1947, and between India and [[China]] since 1962.<ref name="britannica-jammu-kashmir">(a) {{citation |title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |editor=Encyclopaedia Britannia |access-date=15 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories. China became active in the eastern area of Kashmir in the 1950s and has controlled the northeastern part of Ladakh (the easternmost portion of the region) since 1962.";

(b) {{citation |title=Encyclopedia Americana |page=328 |year=2006 |chapter=Kashmir |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328 |publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing |isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";</ref>

The valley is surrounded by ranges of the [[Himalaya]]s, bounded on the southwest by the [[Pir Panjal Range]] and on the northeast by the [[Great Himalaya|Greater Himalaya]]n range. It is approximately {{cvt|135|km}} long and {{cvt|32|km}} wide, and drained by the [[Jhelum River]].<ref>{{citation|title=Vale of Kashmir|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=11 March 2021| url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Vale-of-Kashmir|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> It forms the bulk of the [[Kashmir Division]] of Jammu and Kashmir.

==Geography==
The Kashmir Valley lies between latitude [[33rd parallel north|33°]] and [[35th parallel north|35°N]], and longitude [[73rd meridian east|73°]] and [[76th meridian east|76°E]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=TOURISM POTENTIAL IN ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF TOURISM IN KASHMIR VALLEY|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510723.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=20 October 2020|website=core.ac.uk}}</ref> The valley is {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide and covers {{convert|15520.3|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area.<ref name="AA1">{{cite web|url=https://www.asianage.com/columnists/indus-water-flow-can-t-be-stopped-721|title=Indus: The water flow can't be stopped|first=Mohan|last=Guruswamy|work=[[The Asian Age]]|date=28 September 2016|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> It is bounded by sub-ranges of the [[Western Himalayas]]: the [[Great Himalayas]] bound it in the northeast and separate it from the [[Tibetan Plateau]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/india-pakistan-conflict-07032019/|title=Why India and Pakistan keep fighting over Kashmir – the history of the Kashmir conflict|first=Mihai|last=Andrei|work=GME Science|date=11 March 2019|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> whereas the [[Pir Panjal Range]] in the [[Lesser Himalayas]] bounds it on the west and the south, and separates it from the [[Punjab Plain]].<ref name=wani-pp>{{citation|last=Wani|first=Rashid A.|title=Climate Change and Biodiversity: Proceedings of the IGU Rohtak Conference, Volume 1 |editor1-last=Singh|editor1-first=Mehtab|editor2-last=Singh|editor2-first=R. B. |editor3-last=Hassan|editor3-first=M. I.|series=Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences|chapter=Historical Temporal Trends of Climatic Variables Over Kashmir Valley and Discharge Response to Climate Variability in Upper Jhelum Catchment|pages=104–105|publisher=Springer Japan|year=2014|isbn=978-4-431-54837-9|doi=10.1007/978-4-431-54838-6_8|quote=The valley of Kashmir was formed by folding and faulting as the Himalayan mountain chain was thrust between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. The valley runs northwest to southeast along the strike of the mountain chain and is drained by the river Jhelum which cuts through the Pir Pinjal at the Baramullah gap. This structural basin is 135 km in length with a maximum width of 40 km and ranges in altitude from 5,200 to 6,000 ft above sea level. Its floor stands 1,600 m above sea level in the Jhelum flood plain. It covers an area of about 4,865 km square. The valley is accessible from the Punjab plain through two famous passes; the Pir Panjal pass (3,494 m) and Banihal pass (2,832 m).}}</ref> The valley has an average elevation of {{convert|1850|m|ft}} above sea-level,<ref name="AA1"/> but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of {{convert|10000|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/in-the-past-the-mountain-passes-were-entry-exit-points-for-travellers-and-invaders/article22136536.ece|title=Doorway of the gods: Himalaya crosses five countries|author1=Vrinda|author2=J. Ramanan|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 December 2017|access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> The [[Jhelum River]] is the main river of the Valley. It originates at [[Verinag]]; its most important tributaries are the [[Lidder River|Lidder]] and [[Sind River|Sind]] rivers. Unlike other areas of Kashmir region, the Kashmir Valley is densely populated owing to the availability of a large expanse of fertile flat land.

==Climate==
The Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering [[Karakoram|Karakoram Range]] in the north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west, and [[Zanskar|Zanskar Range]] in the east.<ref name="Kashmir surrounded">{{cite book | author=Sharad Singh Negi | title=Geo-botany of India | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oy-1AAAAIAAJ |year=1986 | publisher=Periodical Expert Book Agency, 1986 | isbn= 9788171360055| page=58–}}</ref> It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. As a large valley with significant differences in geo-location among various districts, the weather is often cooler in the hilly areas compared to the flat lower parts.

Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity is generally high and the nights are cool. Precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C).

The Kashmir Valley enjoys a moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The record high temperature is 37.8°C<ref>{{Cite web |last=KO |date=2022-06-30 |title=No Respite in Sight, Kashmir Swelters in Intense Heat Wave |url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/06/30/no-respite-in-sight-kashmir-swelters-in-intense-heat-wave/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=Kashmir Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> and the record low is −18 °C. On 5 and 6 January 2012, after years of relatively little snow, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures ([[winter storm]]) shocked the valley covering it in a thick layer of snow and ice.

The Valley has seen an increase in relative humidity and annual precipitation in the last few years. This is most likely because of the commercial afforestation projects which also include expanding parks and green cover.
{{climate chart
| Srinagar
| −2 | 7 | 48
| −0.7 | 8.2 | 68
| 3.4 | 14.1 | 121
| 7.9 | 20.5 | 85
| 10.8 | 24.5 | 68
| 14.9 | 29.6 | 39
| 18.1 | 30.1 | 62
| 17.5 | 29.6 | 76
| 12.1 | 27.4 | 28
| 5.8 | 22.4 | 33
| 0.9 | 15.1 | 28
| −1.5 | 8.2 | 54
| source = HKO <ref name = HKO>{{cite web
| url = http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/india/srinagar_e.htm
| title = Climatological Information for Srinagar, India
| publisher = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]
| access-date = 2012-06-09
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120406095303/http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/india/srinagar_e.htm
| archive-date = 6 April 2012
| url-status = live
}}</ref> }}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
*[[Kashmir Division]], the administrative division of India covering the Kashmir Valley.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/ Kashmir Division Administration]
* [https://www.facebook.com/divisionalcommissioner.kashmir Kashmir Divisional Commissioner]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312921/Vale-of-Kashmir Vale of Kashmir]
*{{cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/a-tryst-of-the-heart-and-history-along-the-karakoram-highway/|title=A Tryst of the Heart and History along the Karakoram Highway|first=Asma|last=Khan|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|date=26 April 2018|access-date=9 August 2019}}

{{Kashmir Valley}}
{{Regions and administrative territories of Kashmir}}
{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|34.0333|N|74.6667|E|source:wikidata-and-enwiki-cat-tree_region:IN|display=title}}

[[Category:Valleys of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:River valleys of India]]
[[Category:Kashmir Division| ]]