Location:
Anantnag is one of the six districts of the Kashmir
Valley situated in its south and south western direction. Geographically the district lies between 33o-20'
to 34o-15' north latitude and 74o-30' to 75o-35'
east longitude, bounded in the north and north-west by Srinagar and Pulwama
districts respectively and in the north east by Kargil district. It is also
bounded by Doda and Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district in the east and south east
and bordered by tehsil Gool Gulab Garh of Udhampur district, Ramban Tehsil of
Doda district and tehsil Budhal of Rajauri district in the south and south-west.
However, its western portion is contigous with Mendhar tehsil. Its entire
southern sector and major part of the eastern region is strewn with thick
forests and mountains. The height of these mountains in the east, south
and west of the district ranges between 2438 meters to 3048 meters
and in some areas, the peaks even soar to a height of 4572 meters. On the west
the district is bounded by mighty Pir Panchal range mountains, through which
passes the world famous Jawahar Tunnel.
Situated at a distance of 55 Kms. of the south east of
Srinagar, Anantnag is spread over an area of 3984 Sq. Kms. with a population of
11.70 lacs as it stood in 2001. The Anantnag is gateway of the Kashmir Valley
and is called the granary of the Kashmir Valley as it is agriculturally very
fertile. The district is predominantly rural and situated at an average height
of 1700 meters above sea level. The people of the district are mostly
engaged in agriculture, principal crops being Rice and Maize. The districts
comprises of 5 Tehsils and 12 community development blocks.