The word 'Ladakh' is made up of two words - 'La' meaning mountain pass and 'Dak' meaning country. It is situated in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram mountains in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south enclose it. Indus and several other rivers flow through ladakh. These rivers form gorges and deep valleys. Some glaciers are also found, e.g. the Gangri glacier and Siachen glacier.
Climate
In Ladakh, the altitude varies from about 3000 m in kargil to more than 8000 m in the Karakoram. Because of its high altitude, the climate is extremely dry and cold. The day temperature in summers is just abouve 0*C and the night temperature below -30*C. In winters, the temperature remains below -40*C for most of the time. So, Ladakh is also known as khapa-chan in its local language which means snow land. As it lies in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas, there is less rainfall, about 10cm every year. Drass is located in ladakh, which is one of the coldest inhabited places in the world.
Flora and Fauna
The vegetation is sparse here. There are scanty patches of shrubs and grasses for animals to graze. Poplars and groves of willows can be seen. Trees like apples, apricots and walnuts are seen in summers. Walnut is the main fruit of Ladakh. Hoopoes, robins, Tibetan snowcocks are some common birds sighted in Ladakh. Some common animals are wild sheep, yak, wild goats and dogs. the hair of goats and sheep is used to make woolens clothes while the milk of yak is used in maing butter and cheese. the Chirus are Tibetan antelopes found in Ladakh. They have been the favourite animals of hunters of their wool called shahtoosh.
Habitation
Ladakh has a peasant population. People are simple, cheerful and hardworking. They live in thick-walled houses. It protects them from harsh climate. Both Buddhist and Muslim population live here. But, the people are mostly Buddhists. Hemis Gompa, a Buddhist monastery is about 40 km from Leh. It is the major attraction for the tourists, especially during annual festival. Some other famous monasteries are Thiksey, Lamayuru and Shey. Buddhist monasteries are called Gompas in local language. People wear woolen clothes. People tame sheep, and it is their main occupation because they provide Pashmina wool which is sold to traders of Kashmir where pashmina shawls are woven.
In some areas of Ladakh, people are engaged in agriculture. They cultivate potatoes, barley, beans and peas. They eat sattu (barley-flour) and tagi (bread). In the winter season, they keep themselves engaged in festivals etc.
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