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If you're looking for a great getaway, then head to Maine. You'll find something special in each region. Embark on outdoor adventures like llama trekking, camping, skiing and snowmobiling. Go antiquing in charming villages. Encounter amazing wildlife including whales, puffins and the mighty moose. Immerse yourself in Maine's unique culture at our festivals and fairs. The possibilities are endless, but there's only one place to go - Jammu & Kashmir.
Kashmir is an area on the northern borders of India and Pakistan; officially known as Jammu & Kashmir.
Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and has often been referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East'.  The heart of the area is the fertile Vale of Kashmir (known as The Valley), which lies between the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Here the climate is mild and the soil well watered. The Indus river flows through Kashmir. The river Jhelum flows through the Vale of Kashmir. The mountains have much precious forests.
About 12 million people live in Kashmir, of which around 70% are Muslims. The rest include Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Hindus live mostly in the south and around the city of Jammu. To the east is the Ladakh region, where the majority of the people are Buddhists and of Tibetan origin. Most of the Kashmiri people work on farms. Others are engaged in small industries making shawls, rugs and carpets. Kashmir is well known for its wool and, in particular, its shawls and carpets.
Much of the farmland is under intense cultivation, producing corn, wheat, rice and saffron amongst other crops. Fruit and nuts are also produced in quantities including pears, apples and walnuts. The capitals of Indian-held Kashmir are Srinagar in the summer and Jammu in the winter; whilst the capital of Azad Kashmir is Muzaffarabad.
Kashmir is again making headlines. This time over about the revival of Tourism Industry. One of the most favored travel destinations of Asia, it has captured within its landscape the essence of all the elements that poetry demands of nature. The Great Mughals celebrated the beauty by laying world famous gardens. They also left behind a heritage of exquisite arts. This is a land about which myriad holiday ideas take shape. There is therefore a felt need to reach out to the prospective travelers with news and views about the place....
 Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is poised for resurgence, this was evident with the huge pavilion of the state at the recently concluded TTF and is also a clear indication of the efforts to promote tourism in the state. ‘Chalo Kashmir’ is the new slogan of Jammu and Kashmir tourism department and the state government, which has drawn up ambitious plans to boost tourism by augmenting room capacity, sprucing up lakes and encouraging private sector investment.
Last year the lowest number of visitors after the start of resurgence in 1996, when we had 2,17,000 tourists. During 1999 despite Kargil, we had 17,000 tourists. Tourism has suffered due to factors outside Kashmir. At present Ghulmargh, Sonmarg, Phelgham, all the tourist areas are quite secure. In fact, Srinagar is safer than Washington or London.
The state has also introduced new products like golf tourism and adventure tourism. After a gap of 20 years, the National Institute of mountaineering started skiing courses this year. The valley also boasts of a 18-hole golf course built at cost of Rs 37 crore designed by Robert Trent Jr, the well- known US golf course designer.
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