Kathua

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Kathua
locator_position=right
latd = 32.37 | longd = 75.52
state_name=Jammu and Kashmir
altitude=307
population_as_of = 2001 | population_total = 40,206 | population_density = 205
literacy = 72.00%
area_total= 32
area_telephone= 01922(xxxxxx)
postal_code= 1841xx
vehicle_code_range=JK-08

Kathua is the largest city of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Geography

Kathua is located at coord|32.37|N|75.52|E. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Kathua.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kathua] ] It has an average elevation of 307 metres (1007 ft).A gateway to the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, Kathua lies just 88 kilometers south of the state's winter capital of Jammu.

Tehsils of Kathua

* Basholi
* Billawar
* Hiranagar
* Kathua

Demographics

As of the 2001 Indian census, [GR|India] Kathua had a population of 40,206. Men constitute 54% of the population and women 46%. Kathua has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the Indian national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 67%. In Kathua, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The Kathua district is overwhelmingly Hindu, the religion practiced by 91% of its population. Another 7% is Muslim, and 2% Sikh. The total population of the district is 544,206.

Educational institutes

Kathua has its own Government Degree College (for men and women) and one Women's college known as Government Degree College, Kathua. The district has a number of government and private schools.

Since 2000, Kathua has seen a number of teaching colleges starting up to offer Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degrees to residents of neighboring states, particularly Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. These colleges have mushroomed in parts of Jammu as well. One of the more prominent among them is Vivekananda College of Education.

Kathua has a number of good secondary schools as well. Government Higher Secondary,DAV SEN.SEC.SCHOOL, Bhartiya Public School, Army School Janglot, R.S. Jagriti Niketan, Shakti Morden Sr. Sec. School, Kendriya Vidyalaya Lakhanpur are among them.

Transportation

Buses for longer distances and matadors (small buses) for shorter distances are the main sources of transportation in Kathua. Mostly two wheeler are used for commuting. Within the city, people also use bicycles and cars. The bus journey from Kathua to Jammu is approximately 2.5 hours. These buses are managed by Kathua Transport Union(KTU), identified by red colored roof tops. There are also railway links to Jammu and Pathankot from Kathua.

Industrial estate

On the outskirts of Kathua, there is a well developed industrial estate, SICOP (State industrial cooperation), including the Chenab Textile Mill (CTM). This venture of Birla Group, established in the 1970s, contributed greatly to the development of today's Kathua. In addition to CTM, there are several other factories, manufacturing cement, iron, and other products.

There is a unit Celine Healthcare that is in the manufacturing of cosmetic products.

Army presence

Because of its close proximity to the Pakistan border, Kathua has a significant Indian Army presence in the surrounding areas.

Sources of Public Entertainment

Movie Theatre(s): Under construction
Sports Stadium: One

References

External links

* [http://kathua.nic.in/kprofile/khistory.htm History of Kathua]
* [http://kathua.nic.in Official website of District Kathua (J&K)]