Srinagar district is situated in the centre of Kashmir Valley, is surrounded by five districts.In the north it is flanked by Kargil,in the South by Pulwama,in the north-west by Budgam. The capital city of Srinagar,is located 1730 metres above sea level.The district with a population of around 9,00,000 souls(1991- census), is sperad over an area of 2228 Sq.Kms.It comprises three tehsils/ towns viz Srinagar, Ganderbal and Kangan, four blocks (Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kangan and Leh), besides 175 villages.The population density in the district Srinagar is 401 per Square Kilometer which is highest in the state. The literacy rate of the district was 33.80%in 1981.

Adventure Sports
The adventure seekers and the animal lovers may plan a safari to the Dachigam National Park. The wildlife reserve is just twenty-two km from Srinagar. You may check out the unique Himalayan flora and fauna at Dachigam. Dachigam is home to Leopards, cinnamon sparrows, black and yellow grosbeak, black bulbuls, pheasant and the Himalayan gray langur. You may even travel to Pahalgam, 95 km east of Srinagar. Pahalgam is located in the quiet Liddar valley, at a height of 2130 m. It provides an ideal setting for activities like hiking, trekking and fishing. It is also the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath

History
The history of the Kashmir valley has been turbulent. In the 3rd century bc, it was a part of the great Mauryan Empire. Later on, this region flourished under the rule of the Kushans in the 1st century ad. It was an important Buddhist center around this time. In the 6th century, it was a part of the kingdom of Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain. Local Hindu rulers ruled it until the 14th century, after which Muslims invaded and ruled it. Srinagar was a part of the Mughal Empire in the medieval period. However, with the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rule of the Pathans, the fortunes of the area gradually dwindled. In 1814, it became a part of the Sikh empire, when Ranjit Singh defeated the Pathans. However, the British defeated Ranjit Singh and according to the treaty of Lahore in 1846, they installed Gulab Singh as the independent ruler of Kashmir. The descendents of Gulab Singh ruled Kashmir under the vigilance of the British till 1947. Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, merged this princely state into India in 1948, when Pathan marauders from Pakistan tried to overrun this state.

Houseboats
If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday, then check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is a unique city because of its lakes - the Dal , Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows through a part of the city. Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of a Shikara. While all those on the Dal require a Shikara to get to and from them. Most houseboats on the Dal are situated in long straggling rows; some face the boulevard, Srinagar's exciting address, while others are situated singly or in groups of two and three.

Shopping
Srinagar is famous for its traditional Kashmiri handicrafts. The Handicraft items make excellent souvenirs from Srinagar. Besides the number of utilitarian items of daily use, Woolen and silk carpets from Srinagar are a specialty. The carpets are not only known for their highly intricate decorations and patterns, which show a strong Islamic/Persian influence, they are also renowned for their durability and subtle colors. Chain-stitch carpets from Srinagar are also popular craft items. Exquisite papier-mâché items such as boxes, vases, replicas of samovar (metal container used for heating water for tea), houseboat models, etc., in all shapes and having bright colors and designs also attract the tourists.

The handicrafts repertoire of Kashmir is incomplete without woolen shawls and woodcarving. You may purchase richly embroidered woolen shawls in all colors and intricate designs in Srinagar. Apart from regular woolen shawls, you can also buy Pashmina shawls (made from the hair of ibex), which is a highly valued shawl made in Kashmir. As Kashmir is the only state in India where walnut trees grow, craftsmen here create intricate carvings on walnut wood to make items like tables, chairs, stools, fruit bowls, partitions, etc., that have rich floral and trellis patterns carved on them. All these handicraft items make options for gift items from Srinagar.

How to Reach
The hill resort of Srinagar is easily accessible. In terms of air transport Srinagar is linked with Delhi through Jammu. You may fly further to Leh from Srinagar. The Jammu Tawi railway station is the nearest to Srinagar at a distance of 305 km. Srinagar boasts of excellent road traffic owing to the well developed network. Srinagar is linked with other important places like Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu, Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, through road. The main bus station of Srinagar is at city center of Lal Chowk. For transportation in and around auto-rickshaws and mini-buses are easily available.