Jammu and Kashmir is a northern Indian state with an area of 222,236 sq km and a population of over 12.5 million people. The state has diverse geography and climate, with the Kashmir Valley known for its natural beauty and cities like Srinagar and Jammu. It has a predominantly Muslim population and important religious sites include the Amarnath Cave temple. The state is known for its Himalayan landscape, lakes, cultural heritage and cuisine.