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	FACTS ON KASHMIR
	Location
	Jammu and Kashmir, commonly known as Kashmir, is situated in the heart of South-Central Asia and shares its borders with Afghanistan, China, India and Pakistan. A small strip of Wakhan separates it from Tajikistan.
	Area
	86,000 square miles.
	Population
	13.5 million (current estimate), including, 0.05 million displaced within Kashmir; 2 million refugees in Pakistan; 0.05 million refugees in India; and 0.5 million expatriates in other parts of the world.
	Currency
	Rupee.
	Religion
	80% Muslim, 16% Hindu, 4% Buddhist, Sikh and Christian.
	Languages
	Urdu (official), Kashmiri, Pahari, Dogri, Ladakhi and Balti. English is widely spoken .
	Economy
	Tourism, agriculture, horticulture, saffron, silk, wool, handicrafts and precious stones.

The State of Jammu and Kashmir was acquired by a Hindu Dogra chieftain of the Jammu region in 1846 from the British Empire. The Dogra dynasty ruled over a predominantly Muslim population till 1947.

The first war between India and Pakistan (1947-48) over Kashmir ended when United Nations imposed a temporary cease-fire line dividing the state between India and Pakistan, monitored by a UN Peace-Keeping Force.

The UN Security Council on 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949 resolved that the future status of Jammu and Kashmir should be decided by a referendum under UN auspices. No referendum has taken place so far despite more than half a century of UN resolutions.

Many homes and businesses have been burnt-down and demolished

The State has since remained a disputed territory between India and Pakistan within the meaning of International Law. It is divided among three countries, namely India, Pakistan and China, with 51% of Kashmir territory under India, 37% under Pakistan and 12% under China. War between India and Pakistan over Kashmir flared up again in 1965 and 1971.

The Kashmiri peoples' peaceful and political struggle, which remained unrealised, became assertive in 1988 to force an implementation of the UN-guaranteed call for a referendum.