Geography

Introduction.
The Land of Pakistan
Location of Pakistan. 
Pakistan is located between latitudes 24° 35° north and 37° 05' north 

Longitude: 
Extends from longitude 61° east to 78° east 

Important Points: 
 Pakistan has an approximately border of 904 km with Iran 
 Pakistan has a common border (585 km) with China:
 Pakistan and Afghanistan share border of 2430 km. 
 The length of INDO PAKISTAN border is approximately 2,300 km (excluding the Kashmir
border). 

Importance of location of Pakistan-

 Pakistan is very important country in South Asia. 
 Pakistan has direct contact with Arabian Sea 
 Khyber Pass connect us to Afghanistan. Khunjerab Pass connects us to China. 
 These paths connect China and Afghanistan to Arabian Sea. 
 Landlocked countries have to rely on Pakistan for trading through ocean. e.g.
Russia. 
 Recently china has become world 2nd biggest economy and it is trading so
much. It trades almost 70 countries of Asia Europe. 
 The path from which China trades is very dangerous and takes and takes so
much time. 
 Thus, Pakistan helps China for trading. is a very important country for world. 
Unit -1
The Natural Topography 
 Topography means upper surface of the Earth 
The Northern Mountains And North Western Mountains
 The Karakoram Range 
 The Himalayas 
(i) The Siwaliks 
(ii) Lesser Himaliyas
(iii) Central Himaliyas 
 The Hindukush 
 A mountain range is a group of mountains that are connected and have
similar geological features such as elevation, shape, and composition.

The Karakoram Range: 

 Average height 6000m.
 Karakoram means "black gravel? Gravel means
 It's highest peak is K2 which is 8611 meter high. 
 In the upper region of Karakoram, there are less rivers and more glaciers. It
contains narrow valleys and it is difficult to live here. 
 It is due to extreme climate and difficult terrain. 
 No industries but great amount tourism 
 Domestic and international people love to visit this range. 
 Semi Nomadic people live here.
 Products: Apples Barley and millets
 Valleys, Gilgit, Hunza, Baltistan
The Himalayas - 
 In south of Karakoram range.
 Avg. altitude about 4000m. Very popular in tourism. 
 Highest peak = Nanga Parbat (8126m) 
 This range distance from East to West is 2500 km 
 Himaliyas divide into more parts named is The Siwaliks, The Lesser or Lower Himaliyas
and Central Himaliyas. 
 Simaliks have low altitude (600 1200m). Located near Attock. 
 Lesser or Lower Himaliyas have altitude about (1800m - 4500m) 
 When we move north & The Central Himaliyas comes. This part lies in Kashmir. 
 Nomadic lifestyle is common,

The Hindu Kush Range

 Average altitude (5000m), highest peak is Tirich Mir (7690m)
 The Hindu Kush Range is located at the meeting point of Afghanistan, China, and
Pakistan's north and northwest borders.
 The range stretches in a north-south direction and is similar to the Karakoram Range in
terms of having tall mountains like Tirich Mir (with a height of 7690 meters) and large
glaciers.
 The relief and drainage characteristics of the Hindu Kush and other parts of the
Northern Mountains include high and steep valley sides and a fast-flowing river that
occupies most of the narrow valley floor.
 Throughout history, the passes across the Hindu Kush have played a significant role in
military and historical events. Famous invaders like Alexander the Great, Mahmud of
Ghazni, the Ghauris, Tamerlane, and Babar, the Mughal king, crossed the Hindu Kush
through these passes.
 Even today, these passes hold importance. For example, the Shandur Pass connects
Gilgit and Chitral, the Shangla Pass links the Swat Valley to the upper part of the Indus
Valley, and the Lawarai Pass connects Chitral to the Swat Valley and the Vale of
Peshawar.
 The mountains in the Hindu Kush region generally lack vegetation, but some areas in the
extreme southeast and in places like Swat, Kohistan, the Panjkora Valley, and Dir District
have rich forests.
 Valleys: Swat, Chitral, and Dir.
 Important locations: Swat, Chitral, Kohistan.
Importance of Northern Mountains 
 Glaciers melt during the summer, draining water into the Indus River.
 The Karakoram Highway, a road, connects Pakistan to numerous countries, facilitating
trade and benefiting Pakistan's economy.
 The large mountains provide protection to Pakistan against dangerous winds from
Central Asia.
 This region is rich in valuable resources, including raw materials, which contribute to
Pakistan's income.
 The scenic beauty of these ranges attracts tourists, thereby supporting local shops in
generating revenue.

People and Economy in Northern Mountains 

 Population, settlements, and economic activities in the Northern Mountains are
significantly influenced by the challenging topography and limited communication
infrastructure.
 The region's economy experiences slow growth despite high population growth.
Difficulties in the Northern Mountains arise due to the lack of infrastructure such as
bridges and road passes.
  The majority of the population relies on agriculture, including subsistence farming and
cattle breeding.
 Handicraft production serves as a significant source of income through cottage and
small-scale industries. While mineral resources remain unexplored.
 The region holds substantial hydroelectric potential.
 The development and management of resources are hindered by limited skilled labor
and a low literacy rate.
 Common issues in the region include the lack of clean and safe drinking water and
prevalent poor health conditions.
 Food production struggles to meet the demands of the growing population, resulting in
malnutrition.
 Tourism is popular, but inadequate facilities strain areas when dealing with the influx of
tourists.
 Recent improvements in road transport aim to boost tourism and tap into untapped
resources.
 Infrastructure reconstruction following the 2005 earthquake is completed in towns like
Balakot.

Environmental Issues 
 Any issue related to environment is known as environmental issue.
 Economy change and population increase threats the ecology of Northern Mountains. 
 Deforestation - Cutting of trees because of high demand of houses, furniture etc. 
 The construction of roads increases the rate of deforestation and the number of Land -
Slides. 
 Rapid population growth has increased pollution. 
 People of hills who drinks spring water for drinking suffers from cholera, typhoid etc. 

Definitions
Snowfields
 Plain area covered in snow.
 Snowfield do not melt in northern areas because when snow starts to
melt new snow comes in and so on.  This happens over time. 
Serrated landscape 
 Mountain zones used for agriculture. 
Bare Rocks  
 Peak above snow line and without any vegetation due to the accumulation of
snow. 
Scree 
 Loose rocks on the slope of hills separated due to water action or watering. 
 Scree mean: loose rocks 
Deep V shaped valley
 A deep V-shaped valley is a valley that has steep sides that come together in
the middle, forming a narrow and sharp trough. It looks like the letter "V"
when you see it from above. This type of valley is created over a long period
of time by natural forces like water, wind, and ice wearing away the land. The
erosion process gradually carves out the valley, shaping it into this distinct V-
like form.
U shaped Valley
 A U-shaped valley is a type of valley that has a wide and rounded bottom
with steep, straight sides. It resembles the shape of the letter "U" when
viewed from above. These valleys are formed by glacial activity over
thousands of years. As glaciers move down mountains, they carve and scrape
the land, creating a broad, smooth valley floor and steep sides. The action of
the glaciers reshapes the landscape, resulting in the characteristic U-shaped
valley.

Cirque
 A cirque is a bowl-shaped hollow found at the top of a glacier or in mountain
ranges. It forms from the erosion caused by glaciers moving downhill.
Cirques have steep walls and often contain small lakes. They are common in
glaciated regions and contribute to the beauty of mountain landscapes.
 Valley:
 Plane area between mountains is known as valleys.

Drainage features of the northern mountains

Natural drainage means the natural run off water from an area in rivers or streams. River Indus has it’s
tributaries like Gilgit, Swat rivers.
starts from China (Manasrowar) then it goes to Kashmir and so on. 

Manasrowar (China) - Karakoram Range (Pakistan) - Hindu Kush – Attock - Drain areas – Arabian sea  

Many more rivers joins Indus at Panjnad. Rivers like Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Beas. 

The Western Mountains

 The Western mountains comprise several comparable ranges that are not as tall as the
Northern mountains. Within the Western mountains, you can find the following ranges:

Safed Koh Range:

 The Kurram Pass is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.
 It spans across the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
 The pass reaches an elevation of up to 4712 meters.
 The mountain range surrounding the pass is called Safed Koh, named for its snow-
capped peaks.
 To the south of the range is the Kurram River, while the Kabul River is located to the
north.
 The Kurram Pass provides a crucial route to Afghanistan, connecting it with Pakistan.
 At the other end of the Kurram Pass lies the Kurram Valley.
 The region also includes the Vale of Peshawar, another prominent valley.
 The area is known for its mineralized zone.

Waziristan Hills:
 Up to 3513 metres.
 Located between Kurram and Gomal river.
 High mineralized zone.
 Bannu valley lies in east of Waziristan hills.
 Tochi pass connects Bannu valley to Dera Ismail Khan.
  This hill form a defensive wall between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
 The Bannu valley is a basin situated at a lower elevation and surrounded by
hills and mountains.
 It is characterized by streams with braided channels, which drain the valley.
 The streams transport and deposit clay and boulders within the valley.
 The Kurram Dam, located on the Kurram River, serves as the primary source of
irrigation water for the region.

Sulaiman And Kirthar Ranges

Sulaiman Range:
 Located west of the River Indus.
 Average height of around 1500 meters.
 Takht-e-Sulaiman is the highest peak, reaching 3383 meters.
 Abundant presence of limestone and sandstone.
 Limited irrigation available in the region.
 It meets the Kirthar Range towards the southern part.
Summary: The Sulaiman Range is situated to the west of the River Indus, with an average
height of 1500 meters. The highest peak, Takht-e-Sulaiman, stands at 3383 meters. Limestone
and sandstone are abundant in the area, but irrigation resources are limited. Towards the
south, the range merges with the Kirthar Range.
Description Of Western Mountains:
Economic Activities And Lifestyle In Northern Mountains:
 Vegetation is sparse in the region.
 Unfavorable climate and terrain make farming unviable.
 Rainfall is scarce.
 Mountainous terrain hinders irrigation possibilities.
 Limited transportation options due to rugged landscape.
 Consequently, mining, industrial, and educational projects are lacking.
 Nomadic lifestyle is prevalent.
 Abundant mineral resources exist, but extraction is challenging due to limited resources.
Summary: The area is devoid of vegetation, unsuitable for farming due to the climate and
topography, and receives minimal rainfall. Irrigation is hindered by the mountainous terrain,
limiting transportation options. As a result, the region lacks mining, industrial, and educational
development. The nomadic lifestyle is common, and although abundant mineral resources are
present, their extraction is difficult due to limited resources.

The Balochistan Plateau

Plateau: An area which have a longer altitude as compared to the rest of the
area.
 Only two plateaus in Pakistan.
 Balochistan plateau height varies from (600-3010m)
 Extensive area of 347,290 sq.km.
Basins Of Northern Balochistan:
Basin: A basin in geography is a low-lying area surrounded by higher
land, where water collects and drains towards a central point. It is naturally formed.
 Zhob and Loralai basins are located between the Toba Kakar ranges and the Sulaiman
range.
 Quetta valley is situated to the south of the Loralai basin.
 Rainfall is infrequent, resulting in limited water availability. However, when it does rain,
the river forms narrow channels that deposit gravel and boulders as they reach the
foothills.
 The deposition of these materials creates alluvial fans on the plains at the base of the
mountains.

Basins Of Western Balochistan:

 Basins between mountain ranges: Chagai Hills, Ras Koh, Siahan, and Central Makran.
 Lack of vegetation and minimal rainfall.
 Inland drainage basins: Absence of outlets to the sea.
 Rainwater drainage into temporary rivers and streams.
 Temporary lakes known as hamuns.
 Salty crust formation in salt pans.
 The largest hamun: Hamun-i-Mashkel in the western part of Kharan Desert.

Summary:
The paragraph is about the flat areas called basins that are located between mountains like
the Chagai Hills, Ras Koh, Siahan, and Central Makran. These basins have very few plants and
receive very little rain, even in winter. They don't have any way for water to flow into the sea.
When it does rain, the water collects in temporary rivers and streams, which then go into the
basins. It either soaks into the ground or forms temporary lakes called hamuns. These lakes
are filled with salty water, and when the water evaporates, it leaves behind a layer of salt. The
largest hamun in this area is called Hamun-i-Mashkel, and it can be found in the western part
of the Kharan Desert.

Mountain Ranges:
 Balochistan plateau covered with a number of mountain ranges with average
altitude of (600-3010m)
 Highly mineralized.
 Some ranges include:
Ras Koh.
Hala Range.
Makran Coast Range.
Central Brahui Range.
Toba Kakar Range etc.

Coastal Areas:
 Coastal area divided into two parts Lasbela Plain and Makran Coast
 In Makran Coast, Makran Coast Range projects into sea and form narrow coastal
plain.
 Imporant rivers are Hab, Porali, Hingol and Dasht, which flow into Arabian sea.

Balochistan Economic Potential:

 Plateau surrounded by mountains.
 In south of plateau, is a narrow coastal plain bordering with Arabian Sea.
 Balochistan remains largely neglected.
 No agriculture, nomadic lifestyle, very less population, Low rainfall, dry
climate.
 The region has the largest mineral wealth in Pakistan, but unfortunately, it
has not been possible to extract it.
Water Resources:
 No major source of water.
 Population dependent on Karez system, flood diversion channel and small
number of tube wells.
 Province faces shortage of both drinking and irrigation water.

Transport and Communication:

 Transport means, transfer of goods or people, Communication
means, exchange of communication.
 Less roads and railways
 Less area interconnected.
 But these things are improved in 21st century.

Economic Structure:
 67% of total labor are dependent on agriculture.
 Agriculture in this area include Crop farming etc.
 The annual per capita income in 2018 was (US$4628) higher than
KPK, but lower than Punjab.

Economic Wealth Of Balochistan:

i) Mineral Resources
 High mineralized zone. Minerals like Limestone, Coal, Crude Oil etc.
are abundant here.
 Employed more than 80% of the population for extracting.
 46% of gas supply in country is obtained from Sui Gas.
ii) Agriculture
1. Fruit Production
 Fruits like dates, apple, melons and plums are abundant
here.
 75% of production is exported to foreign countries.

2. Vegetable seed industry

 In cold and chilly weather, there is high seed production
 Likewise, conditions such as war and dry summers
create a favorable environment for abundant and
excellent blooming, as well as the production of high-
quality seeds.
 3. Livestock and their products
 Nomadic livestock farming is common.
 Important life stock products like wool, goat hair
and skins are exported abroad.
iii) Fishing
 Either domestic use or for commercial purposes.
 Three main fishing ports Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara.
 Around 30% are exported to European Union Countries.
 Other export destination include Japan, China and USA etc.

Future Prospects:
 Mineral exploration.
 Products from animals are exportable but need improvement.
 Deep sea port at Gwadar can be a great thing in future.
 New technologies in fish-processing have opened up new export markets.