Anantnag District is in southern sector of Jehlum Valley. It is because of its rejuvenating climate, the inspiring majesty, its lofty mountains, the melodious flow of sweet waters of its springs and sreams, fertile soil, fragrant flowers and delicious fruits that the district has come to be synonymous with greatness.
Geographically the district lies between 33o-20\' to 34o-15\' north latitude and 74o-30\' to 75o-35\' east longitude. The entire Southern sector of the district, which is contiguous with tehsils of Reasi, Banihal and Kishtwar of Jammu province, and Eastern sector which is contiguous with tehsil Kargil of Ladakh division comprises of thick forests and mountains. The Northern and Western sides of this district are bounded by Pulwama district while Kulgam district falls in its west. Of all the districts of the state, Anantnag claims the largest number of streams (Nallas) like Sandran, Brengi, Arpath and Lidder. The most important among these is Lidder which takes of from Sheshnag lake and irrigate maximum area of the district.
The area of the district after carving out district Kulgam in year 2007 stood at 2917 Sq. Kms, which constitutes about 1.31% of the total area of Jammu & Kashmir state. As per Census 2011, the population of the district is 10.70 lac with 5.52 lac Males and 5.17 lac Females.
As per the report of Revenue authorities, the district consists of 605 Villages having 01 Municipal Council and 10 Municipal Committees. There are Six Tehsils Viz. Anantnag, Bijbehara, Dooru, Shangus, Kokernag and Pahalgam which have further ben sub divied into 16 Nayabats (Land Revenue Circles) and 96 Patwar halqas. These villages have also ben divided into 07 Comunity Development Blocks Viz. Achabal, Breng, Dachnipora, Khoveripora, Qazigund, Shahabad and Shangus. For Law & Order purposes there are 09 Police Stations and 06 Police Posts in the district.
Owing to proximity of Peer Panchal Range, which stretches in its South and South-East, the district has a more temperate climate in sumer than other districts of the Valley. In winter, however, snowfall is heavier and temperature is relatively low. Being engulfed on two sides by mountains, the moonsoon does not generally reach the district. The rainfall is often excessive in Spring, moderate in Summer, deficient in Autumn and moderate in Winter.