Azad Jammu and Kashmir abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir, is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity and constituting the western portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. The territory shares a border to the north with Gilgit-Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organizations as “Pakistani-administered Kashmir”. Azad Jammu and Kashmir also shares borders with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west, respectively. On its eastern side, Azad Jammu and Kashmir is separated from the Indian union territory by the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir. Geographically, the administrative territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir covers a total area of 13,297 km² (5,134 sq mi) and has a total population of 4,045,366 as per the 2017 national census.

Northern Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies in a region that experiences strong vibrations of the earth as a result of the Indian plate under thrusting the Eurasian plate. Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s economy largely depends on agriculture, services, tourism, and remittances sent by members of the British Mirpuri community. Nearly 87% of Azad Jammu and Kashmiri households own farm property, and the region is amongst the highest rate of school enrolment in Pakistan and it has approximately 72% literacy rate with the enrolment rate in primary school being 98% and 90% for boys and girls respectively. The population of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is almost entirely Muslim. The people of this region culturally differ from the Kashmiris living in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir and are closer to the culture of Jammu. Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber are all old towns of the Jammu region.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is a fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The texture of present population is composed of races claiming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, and Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli, Mirpur & Bhimber are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab. The people of districts Poonch, Bagh, Haveli & Sudhnoti are adventure loving and there are numerous anecdotes of their matchless valor as well as inspiring sacrifices for freedom. While, Muzaffarabad district has its own distinctive culture. The people of the State are intelligent ingenious, hardworking, dynamic & skillful.