Jammu and Kashmir जम्मू और कश्मीर, جموں اور کشمیر) is the northernmost state of India. It borders Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south, and shares an international border with Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir to the west and Gilgit-Baltistan to the northwest, and with China to the north.
Jammu and Kashmir covers 222,236 sq km (85,806 sq mi). The city of Srinagar acts as the summer capital while the city of Jammu as winter capital. The history of the state goes back to 1586, when the Mughal Emperor Akbar invaded and conquered it.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is mountainous with a number of valleys. The main settled area is the Kashmir Valley, which is separated from Ladakh by the Pir Panjal range.
Doda River in Ladakh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanskar_la_Doda.jpg Author: hamon jp
How to go to Jammu and Kashmir
There are a number of flights to Srinagar, the summer capital and main gateway to Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign visitors to Jammu and Kashmir will notice the strict security for going into this state. Your luggage will be checked and you may be asked to re-identify your luggage on the tarmac. Security at the Srinagar Airport is also very tight, with entry to the airport only to those holding a ticket.