What is Kashmir?
Kashmir is a legendarily beautiful mountainous region of some 7 million people that is located where the borders of India, Pakistan and China meet.

In 1947 the colonial-era rulers of Kashmir decided to join newly-independent India. Neighboring Pakistan thought the mostly Muslim region should be incorporated into Pakistan which also gained independence at that time. The two countries went to war over the issue in 1947-49 and again in 1965. In those conflicts Pakistan and China gained control of terrority claimed by India, although India held on to the most populated areas.

Kashmir is dominated by the Himalayan mountains which rise to 28,000 feet. From May to October, the city of Srinigar serves as the capital. From November to April, the capital moves to the city of Jammu. Jammu is also the name of the surrounding region.

Jammu and Kashmir Government Web Site