Jammu is one of the three regions comprising the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu borders Kashmir to the north, Ladakh to the east, Himachal Pradesh to the south and Pakistan-administered Kashmir to the west. Lying between the Vale of Kashmir to the north and the Daman Koh Plains to the south, the Shiwalik Range comprises most of the region of Jammu. The Pir Panjal Range, the Trikuta Hills and the low-lying Tawi River basin adds beauty and diversity to the terrain of Jammu.

Some of the most popular Hindu shrines, such as Vaishno Devi are here. Jammu is one of the most famous pilgrimage tourism destinations in India. Once a seat of the Dogra Rajput dynasty, Jammu came under the control of Ranjit Singh in the 19-century and became a part of the Sikh Kingdom. Under the command of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the Rajputs were able to re-establish their control over Jammu and founded the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir. After Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947, Jammu became `a part` of the Union of India.Pakistan claims to be the rightful owner of jammu and kashmir as the majority of the people there are muslims and,at the time of the british india partition,it was decided that muslim states were to eccede to pakistan while the hindu ones,to india.Also there are a number of serious doubts against the Instrument of Accession .

Jammu enjoys the status of an administrative division within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu city, the largest city in the region, is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of Jammu`s 2.7 million population practices Hinduism, while Islam and Sikhism enjoy a strong cultural heritage in the region.

Origin of name of Jammu
Jammu district derives its name from the city of Jammu, which besides being the winter capital of the state, is known as the city of temples. It is believed that Raja Jamboo Lochan who lived in fourteenth century B.C originally founded the city. The Raja had gone out one day for hunting when he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water from one and the same pond. This extraordinary phenomenon set him thinking and he decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance. Eventually, he founded the city, which came to be known as "Jamboo" after his own name. With the passage of time and due to its frequent use the pronunciation of the name got slightly distorted and the city, came to be known as `Jammu` as it is called now.

History of Jammu
Many historians and locals believe that Jammu was founded by Raja Jamboolochan in 14th century BC. Once ruler of Bahu state, Raja Jambu Lochan came for hunting in this area and witnessed a Asiatic lion and a lamb drinking water at a small distance from each other on a lake. Having more satisfied their thirst, they went their own ways. The Raja was amazed and abandoned the idea of hunting and returned to his companions. Expressing what he had seen, exclaimed that this place is a place of peace and tranquility, where a lion and a lamb can drink water side by side. The Raja commanded a palace to be built at this place and a city to be built at this place and a city to be founded around it. Thus, a city in the name of Jambu Lochan was developed and was named Jambu-Nagar which then later changed into Jammu later. Jambu Lochan was the brother of Raja Bahu Lochan who had constructed a fort on the bank of river Tavi. Bahu fort is one of the famous historical places of Jammu.The city name figures in the ancient book Mahabharata. The name of Jammu is also found in the memories of Timur. Excavation near Akhnoor 20 miles from Jammu city, provides evidence that Jammu was once a part of the Harappan civilization.

Remains from the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta periods have also been found. The area witnessed the change of control from the invading Mughals and Sikhs before finally falling under the control of the British. After independence it became a part of the Indian republic . It is said that in olden times the area now known to be as Occupied Kashmir across the river Tawi was thick forest and was inhibited by wild animals.

Geography of Jammu
Jammu is located at 32.73° N 74.87° E. It has an average elevation of 327 metres (1072 feet). Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three distinct climatic regions with vast variance due to a sharp rise of altitude from 1,000 feet to 28,250 feet above sea level within four degrees of latitude of the state. The state is geologically constituted of rocks varying from the oldest period of earth`s history to the youngest present day river and lake deposits.

Climate of Jammu
Jammu is a pleasant and cool area with a subtropical climate. Summers are dry and hot while Winters are cold. Temperatures can soar up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer and dip down to around 4 degrees Celsius in winter. Rainfall: 107 cm (July to September)
Best Season: October to April.
Summer: 43.0 degree C to 23.4degrees C
Winter: 26.2 to 4.3 degrees C

Economy of Jammu
Jammu economy depends mainly on farming and animal husbandry. Though the manufacturing and services sector is small but it is growing rapidly. Several consumer goods companies have opened manufacturing units in the region. Before insurgency intensified in 1989, tourism formed an important part of the economy. Another there are various bank-private and public sectors that proide grossly income.

Government and Politics of Jammu
The flag of Jammu and Kashmir state is the native plough on a red background; that is a symbol of labour, designed by New Delhi and the three stripes represent the three Indian regions namely Jammu, Vale of Kashmir, and Ladakh of the disputed territory. Like all the states of India, Jammu and Kashmir has a multi-party democratic system of governance. Main political parties include the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, the Indian National Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir People`s Democratic Party (PDP).

Presently, the Indian National Congress and its ally PDP hold the maximum number of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad replaced PDP`s Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in late 2002.

Transport of Jammu
Transport in Jammu is quite well off. All services run smoothly. Jammu has Air services that connects to every part of India including Srinagar. The Rail services are equally effective and approachable. Road ways is also smooth and plain. Intra city travel can be done by all kind of vehicles from cars to trucks. Instead of buses in large number there are Matadors for public transport.

Demographics of Jammu
Jammu is the only region in Kashmir that has a Hindu majority population. 67% of Jammu`s population practices Hinduism while 24% practices Islam and 4% Sikhism. Approximately 67% of the population is Dogra. Majority of the Hindus are either Dogras or people who migrated from Kotli, Mirpur, and the Kashmir Valley. Jammu is well connected with the rest of India by rail, road and air, making it by far the least remote part of the state. Jammu also has direct flights to Srinagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Leh. As of 2001 India census, Jammu had a population of 378,431. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Jammu has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Jammu, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education in Jammu
University of Jammu: The University of Jammu was established in 1969 beside the Tawi River. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs; it confers honoraray degrees to persons of exceptional calibre. It also affiliates and recognizes colleges.

Schools: Schools are uto 12th standard . C.B.S.E ,I.C.S.E nd J&k state boards are the normal boards available.

Media in Jammu
Newspapers have dailies like Daily Excelsior, Kashmir herald- a monthly newspaper, Kashmir Times an dmany more. The languages in which newspapers are published are English,Hindi and Urdu.All India Radio have stations in Jammu along with which Adlabs has one channel. The official electronic media of India, Doordarshan, has poor quality reception with no reach at all in various. In urban areas, however, Doordarshan is fighting a different kind of war. Its programmes are not reaching the majority of people who are being fed with the India-India propaganda launched by Pakistan through its electronic media. One of the reasons for Doordarshan`s inability to counter this war is violation of rules by private cable TV operators who continue to beam PTV and another Pakistani channel GEO TV channel blacking out Doordarshan.

Sports in Jammu
Trekking: A range of trekking options is available in the Jammu area. Ask for a free copy of trekking brochure for a detailed description of the many short and long treks one can take. Summer is the season when all the routes are open but some trekking routes are open in winter. There are excellent camping sites in the wilderness where you camp when you trekking for 2-3 days. The Sudarani-Jungal Galijasa Kote-Sanasar route in the jungle gali area lets you choose from any of the three exciting treks.