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LADAKH is a mysterious
land shrouded in myth and legend.
Much
of its ancient history is known only through the mythology of its people as its
written history is of very recent origin. Known for centuries as the 'land of passes'
(La-pass; Dakh-land), Ladakh was described by Fa-hian, who travelled across its
inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D., as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn
ripens'.
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During V to XV centuries,
Ladakh was an independent kingdom assigned to Tibet.
Little
by little, due to tensions among local kings and the pressure of China over the
Tibet, the relationship got worse. The ancient inhabitants of Ladakh were Dards,
and Indo-Aryan race from down the Indus. But immigration from Tibet more than a
thousand years ago largely overwhelmed the culture of the Dards and moped up their
racial characters. In eastern and central Ladakh, todays population seems to be
mostly of Tibet origin. Buddhism reached Tibet from India via Ladakh. The area was
the stronghold of Budhism before Islam reached Ladakh.
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Fact Files
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Full Name :
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Ladakh |
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Capital :
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Leh |
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Location :
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30 degree to 36 degree east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude |
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Area :
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96,701 Sq.Kms |
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Altitude :
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Ranging from about 2750m at Kargil to 7,672m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. |
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District :
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Leh and Kargil.
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Languages :
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Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English
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Population :
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2 lakhs (approx)
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Religion :
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Buddhism, Islam. Hindu |
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Food :
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Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines
to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along
the Boulevard road. and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes.
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Climate :
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Winter : -30° C(Leh & Kargil) and -60° C in (Drass)
Summer( July and August) : 20° C to 38° C
Humidity : Ranges from 31 to 64 percent.
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Rainfal :
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529mm
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Best season :
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March to October
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Clothing :
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Light/Medium woollens in summers to Heavy woollens in winter
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River :
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Indus which flows in a north-west direction between Ladakh and Zanskar ranges &
is joined by several major rivers like Zanskar, Suru and Shayok. |
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