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by Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar Mountains in the south. Several glaciers

are found in Ladakh, for example the Gangri glacier.

climatE
Ladakh is country’s coldest, highest and the driest zone. Ladakh has cool and generally dry

mountain climate. Much of Ladakh is above 11,000 feet (3,350 m). Therefore, you can expect
warm to hot days in Summer and cool nights. In winter, the temperature may drop as low
as – 35°C. There is occasional snowfall in winter caused by “Western Disturbances”. Summer
days are generally warm with temperatures ranging
between 25–30°C. Annual rainfall does not normally
If you sit in the sun with your feet in
the shade, you might experience both exceed 10 cm. Though over the past decade or so,
sunstroke and frost bite simultaneously. there have been occasional spells of unusually heavy
rainfall.

flora aNd fauNa

As the melting of snow is the main source of water in the Ladakh desert hence water is not
a big problem for the native people. Therefore scattered patches of grasses and shrubs are
found here for animals to graze. Yak, wild goats and wild sheep are the common animals
which are found in this type of climate only. Yak’s milk is used to make cheese and butter.
The hair of sheep and goat is used to make woollens.
Birds like Robins, red starts, Tibetan snow cock, raven
and hoopoe are commonly seen here. Willows, poplars,
and fruit trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts are

some of the trees that grow in Ladakh.

Yak Ladakh is made up of only two districts : Leh and Kargil.
pEoplE
People of Ladakh are engaged in animal rearing, agriculture and tourism. Livestock like yaks,
sheep and goats are reared by most families. Yak, apart from being the beast of burden, also
provides milk and wool. Its hair are used for making tents. Pashmina, a very fine variety of
wool, is collected from the goats. Ladakh is famous for shawls, blankets and carpets.
Agriculture is practiced in the summer period between May and September. Wheat, barley,
vegetables and fruits like apricots, walnuts and grapes
are grown here.

The people of Ladakh are very hard-working and have
evolved methods of over coming the challenges posed
by the inhospitable environment. People here are
either muslims or Buddhists. Western Ladakh is Muslim
dominated area while Eastern Ladakh is the Buddhist
dominated part. Ladakhi is the common language spoken Natives of Ladakh
here. Several Buddhist Monasteries dot the landscape. Some of the famous ‘Gompas’, as
these monasteries are called, are Hemis, Thiksey, Shey and Lamaguru.

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