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Ladakh was established as a union territory of India on 31 October 2019, following the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. Prior to that, it was part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. Ladakh is both the largest and the second least populous union territory of India.
- India
- 31 October 2019
- 59,146 km² (22,836 sq mi)
- Overview
- Land
- The Great Himalayas zone
- The upper Indus River valley
- The Karakoram Range
- Animal life
- People
- Agriculture
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
Ladakh, union territory of India, located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the vicinity of the Karakoram and westernmost Himalayan mountain ranges. It is bounded by Jammu and Kashmir union territory to the west and by Himachal Pradesh to the south; its northern and eastern borders are disputed with Pakistan and China, respectively...
Ladakh union territory covers some 22,800 square miles (59,000 square km) along the upper Indus River valley and is one of the highest regions of the world. Its natural features consist mainly of high plains and deep valleys. Along the western edge of the union territory are the Great Himalayas with a parallel branch directly to the east known as the Zaskar Range, a nearly inaccessible region where the people and the cattle remain indoors for much of the year because of the cold. To the southeast of the Zaskar Range lies Rupshu, an area of large brackish lakes with a uniform elevation of about 13,500 feet (4,100 metres). The Zaskar region is drained by the Zaskar River, which, flowing northward, joins the Indus River below Leh, the union territory’s largest urban centre. To the east are the Ladakh and Karakoram Ranges.
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The climate of Ladakh is cold and dry. Average annual precipitation is about 3 inches (75 mm); fine dry flaked snow is frequent and sometimes falls heavily. The region is prone to violent seismic activity, and light to moderate tremors are common. Vegetation is confined to valleys and sheltered spots, where a stunted growth of tamarisk (genus Tamarix) shrubs, furze (also called gorse; spiny plants of the legume family), and other plants supply much-needed firewood.
Geologically complex and topographically immense, the Great Himalayas contain ranges with numerous peaks reaching elevations of 20,000 feet (6,100 metres) or higher, between which lie deeply entrenched remote valleys. Running parallel to the main Great Himalayas directly to the east is the Zaskar Range, which begins its flank from the main range at...
The valley of the upper Indus River is a well-defined feature that follows the geologic strike (structural trend) westward from the Tibetan border to the point in the Pakistani sector of Kashmir where the river rounds the great mountainous mass of Nanga Parbat to run southward in deep gorges that cut across the strike. In its upper reaches the rive...
The great granite-gneiss massifs of the Karakoram Range—which straddles the Indian and Pakistani sectors of Kashmir—contain some of the world’s highest peaks. Those include K2 (also called Mount Godwin Austen) on the border of the Pakistani sector and one of the Chinese-administered enclaves, with an elevation of 28,251 feet (8,611 metres); at least 30 other peaks exceed 24,000 feet (7,300 metres). The range, which is still heavily glaciated, rises starkly from dry desolate plateaus that are characterized by extremes of temperature and shattered rock debris. The Karakoram, along with other areas in and around the Himalayan region, is often called the “roof of the world.” The Ladakh Range is its southeastern extension, which begins at the mouth of the Shyok River in the Pakistan-administered portion of the Ladakh region.
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Among the wild mammals found in Ladakh union territory are the Siberian ibex, the Ladakh urial (a species of wild sheep with a reddish coat), and black and brown bears. There are many species of game birds, including vast numbers of migratory ducks. The only known alpine species of crane, the black-necked crane, is also found in Ladakh.
The Ladakh area is thinly populated. In the Leh district the inhabitants are predominantly Buddhists of Tibetan ancestry who speak a Tibeto-Burman language (Ladakhi). In the Kargil district to the west, however, the inhabitants are predominantly Muslim, most belonging to the Shiʿi branch of Islam. Purik, a language closely related to Ladakhi, is th...
Cultivation in Ladakh is restricted to the river valleys, where it consists of small irrigated plots of wheat, barley, millet, buckwheat, peas, beans, and turnips. Plants introduced in the 1970s by Indian researchers have given rise to orchards and vegetable fields. Pastoralism—notably yak herding—has long been a vital feature of the Ladakh economy...
All the principal cities and towns are electrified. Reliance on local sources of power has often left the supply limited, although Leh and Kargil joined the national electric grid in 2019. Hydroelectric and thermal generating plants provide power for industrial development based on local raw materials. Solar projects seek to utilize the high altitu...
Small-scale industry and handicraft manufacturing are important in Ladakh, particularly the production of cashmere shawls, carpets, and blankets. Other resources, such as an abundance of minerals, leave much potential for mining.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
6 days ago · Leh, the most accessible town of Ladakh, is an important trade centre located 160 miles (260 km) east of Srinagar. The climate of Ladakh is cold and dry. Average annual precipitation is roughly 3 inches (80 mm); fine, dry, flaked snow is frequent and sometimes falls heavily. Vegetation is confined to valleys and sheltered spots, where a stunted ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Discover the magical Buddhist ex-kingdom of Ladakh, a corner of Tibet in the furthest reaches of India. Explore its spectacular mountains, monasteries, culture and more with Lonely Planet's expert tips and advice.
Ladakh is a mountainous region in South Asia. Due to its geographical and cultural similarity with Tibet, Ladakh is sometimes described as "Little Tibet". However, unlike Tibet, only a bit over half of the population are Buddhists, with the rest Muslims.
Aug 25, 2023 · Learn everything you need to know about Ladakh, a remote and stunning Himalayan region with Tibetan culture. Find out the best things to do, see, eat, trek and more in this ultimate travel guide.
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Discover the best attractions and activities in Ladakh, a remote region of India with Tibetan Buddhist culture and stunning scenery. Learn about Leh Palace, Pangong Lake, trekking, and more from Asia Highlights Travel reviews and tips.
