AN INTRODUCTION TO AJ&K

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the liberated part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies between longitude 73 -75 and latitude of 33 36 and comprises of 5,134 sq. miles or 13,297 sq. kms area. The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and plains. The districts of Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Sudhnoti and Poonch are mostly mountainous for being lying at the foot hills of the Himalayas. The districts of Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli have broad valleys and flat areas. The mountainous areas are full of natural beauty, with thick lush green forests, precious minerals, fast flowing rivers and streams. The main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. Climatically, Azad Kashmir enjoys a considerable measure of variety. The North and North western mountainous areas are extremely cold in winter while in summer are very pleasant. The district head quarters of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber are extremely hot in summer while cold and dry in winter. Most of the area of the State receives monsoon rains with average rainfall up to 1300 mm annually. The population of Azad Kashmir is 3.5 million and 88% of this is living in rural areas. The literacy rate is above 60%. The average per capita income has been estimated to range from 500 to 600 US$.
o o o o

MINERAL RESOURCES
The geological environment of AJK is comprised of three types of rocks, i.e. sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. The type of mineral deposits found are; industrial Minerals, gemstones, precious metals and base metals. The Industrial minerals and base metals are found in all the three rock types and thus spread in the whole of the AJK territory, whereas gemstones are confined to metamorphic terrain and occur in the upper parts of Neelum Valley. The most economically promising mineral resources of Azad Kashmir are Gemstones and Industrial minerals.
Proved Reserves (million tons) 00.065 tons 19.000 tons 26.000 gms 01.000 tons In-exhaust able 04.000 tons 00.100 tons 00.050 tons

S.No District Muzaffarabad 1 2 3 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Name of Mineral

Location

Limonite Marble Ruby Graphite Cement material Lime Stone+ Shale Gypsum Feldspar Soapstone

Reshian Nuseri-Jhugian Neelum Valley Neelum Valley Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad Kundalshahi Machyara