Anantnag is a district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in north-western India. It is one of six districts which make up the Kashmir Valley. The district headquarter is Anantnag. Anantnag is situated at a distance of 55 Kms of the south east of Srinagar; Anantnag is spread over an area of 3984 Sq. Kms with a population of 11.70 lacs as it stood in 2001. Anantnag is the 3rd largest city of Jammu and Kashmir in population and largest city according to area. It is also regarded as commercial and financial capital of the valley of Kashmir. It is the largest business and trading center of the valley .

Geographically the district Anantnag lies between 33o-20′ to 34o-15’ north latitude and 74o-30′ to 75o-35′ east longitude, bounded in the north and north-west by Srinagar and Pulwama districts respectively and in the north east by Kargil district.

Anantnag is also bounded by Doda and Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district in the east and south east and bordered by tehsil Gool Gulab Garh of Udhampur district, Ramban Tehsil of Doda district and tehsil Budhal of Rajauri district in the south and south-west. However, its western portion is contigous with Mendhar tehsil.

The entire southern sector and major part of the eastern region of Anantnag district is strewn with thick forests and mountains. The height of these mountains in the east, south and west of the district ranges between 2438 meters to 3048 meters and in some areas, the peaks even soar to a height of 4572 meters. On the west the district is bounded by mighty Pir Panchal range mountains, through which passes the world famous Jawahar Tunnel.