Provisions for the formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were contained within the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, which was passed by both houses of the Parliament of India in August 2019.

The act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, one being J&K and the other being Ladakh, with effect from 31 October 2019.

History
The state of Jammu and Kashmir was accorded special status by Article 370 of the Constitution of India. In contrast to other states of India, Jammu and Kashmir had its constitution, flag, and administrative autonomy. Indian citizens from other states were not allowed to purchase land or property in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir Valley has seen the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s, because of violence against Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley by brainwashed local Muslims.

This was one of the major violence in the region because of which full community had to leave their home within a short period, and several Kashmiri Pandits or even Kashmiri Hindus also lost their lives during this time.

Geography
Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind Valley, and Lidder Valley.

The Kashmir Valley is 100 km (62 mi) wide and 15,520.3 km2  (5,992.4 sq mi) in area. The Himalayas divide the Kashmir Valley from the Tibetan Plateau while the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Punjab Plain of the Indi-Gangetic Plain. 

Along the northeastern flank of the valley runs the main range of the Himalayas. This valley runs the main range of the Himalayas. This valley has an average height of 1,850 meters (6,070 ft) above sea level, but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). 

The Jehlum River is the major Himalayan river that flows through the Kashmir valley. The southern Jammu region is mostly mountainous, with the Shivaliks, the middle, and the great Himalayas running parallel to each other in a southeast-northwest direction. A narrow southwestern strip constitutes fertile plains. The Chenab, Tawi, and Ravi are important rivers flowing through the Jammu region.

Climate
The climate of Jammu and Kashmir varies with altitude and across regions. Southern and southwestern areas have a subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. This region receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season. In the east and north, summers are usually pleasant. The effect of the monsoon diminishes in areas lying to the leeward side of the Pir Panjal, such as the Kashmir Valley, and much of the rainfall happens in the spring season due to western disturbances. Winters are cold, with temperatures reaching sub-zero levels. Snowfall is common in the valley and the mountain areas.

Languages
Kashmiri is the most-spoken language, is mainly spoken in the Kashmir Valley and the upper reaches of the Chenab Valley, with a sizeable number of speakers in Jammu City. Dogri, related to Punjabi and Pahari, is spoken throughout the plains areas of the Jammu division, as well as in parts of the hills. The hill people speak several languages. In the Pir Panjal Range, bordering Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the main language is Pahari-Pothwari, a western variety of Punjabi, as well as Gojri, the language of the Gujjar tribe. In the eastern hills of Jammu division are spoken various Western Pahari languages such as Siraji and Bhaderwahi, which merge with the dialects of western Himachal Pradesh.[68] Urdu is also widely understood and spoken, particularly in the Kashmir region where it acts as the lingua franca alongside Kashmiri and also serves as a medium of instruction along with English, while Hindi is taught and understood in the southern areas of Jammu.

Tourism
Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop, Bhaderwah, and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which have had a significant impact on the state's economy. The Kashmir Valley is one of the top tourist destinations in India.[108] Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course.[109] The decrease in violence in the state has boosted the state's economy, specifically tourism.[110] Jammu and Kashmir is also famous for its scenery, flower gardens, and apple farms. It attracts tourists for its unique handicrafts and the famous Kashmir shawls.