Pakistan At A Glance

(Asghar Karim Khan, Karachi)

Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and its capital is Islamabad. Pakistan has four provinces: Sindh , Punjab Balochistan and N.W.F.P. It also includes northern territories of Gilgit , Hunza , Baltistan. It stretches from the Arabian Sea in the South to the Tibetan Plateau in the north., over a total area of 796,000 square km.

PAKISTAN is a country with a beautiful and varied landscape. From the awe inspiring Himalaya mountains of the north to the fertile plains of the Punjab and the stark desert of Cholistan, Pakistan offers every kind of environment possible. It is a land of contrast, of surprises that leaves a vivid memory in the minds of visitors.

CULTURE & HISTORY :
Pakistan is a country with strong cultural tradition. Historically, Pakistan is the most ancient lands known to man. The amazing history of Pakistan can be traced back to at least 2500 BC, when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley Area. The ancient wonders found at Moenjodaro, Taxila, Harrapa etc.

CLIMATE :
Pakistan has some real climatic extremes from the broiling heat of southern deserts to the freezing cold of the northern mountains. The summer season begins April till mid September. The best time to visit Pakistan is from September until March, when the days are cool. But if you want to visit Northern Mountains the best time is from mid April to September. Because there are lot of snow fall in winter and it is difficult to travel.

LANGUAGE:
National language of Pakistan is URDU, and understood by major population all over the country. English is also understood specially in the urban areas and the northern areas of Pakistan. Other popular languages are Punjabi, Pushto, Balochi, Brahvi and Hindko. In the Northern Areas Balti, Shina, Burushki and Khowari languages are spoken.

FLORA FAUNA:
Some of the rarest wildlife in the world are found in this area , including the Marcopolo sheep, Markhor, ibex, urial, the snow leopard and the famous Himalayan Brown Bear which is found in Deosai Plains near Skardu. Along the coastal their is a variety of marine life which includes shellfish, dolphins and shark.

The trees up in the northern mountain zone include fir, pine, spruce, willow, eucalyptus, juniper and chinar. Some precious and rare hurbs and shurbs are found in the nortern areas , specially at the foothills of nangaparbat and Deosai plains and also at Kirthar National park near Karachi and In Balochistan.

MOUNTAINS:
The Northern regions of Pakistan are known as paradise for mountaineers, climbers and hikers. It is here the world's three famous mountain ranges meet- the Himalayas, the  Karakoram and the Hindukush. Of the fourteen 8000 m peaks on earth five is located in Pakistan-including,
 
1.K-2 (8611 m) Pakistan highest world's 2nd highest.
2. Nanga-Parbat (8125 m ) Pakistan's 2nd highest and worlds 9th.
3. Gasherbrum I( 8048 m ) Pakistan's 3rd highest and world's 11th.
4. Broad peak ( 8047 m ) Pakistan's 4th highest and world's 12th..
5.Gasherbrum II (Pakistan's 5th highest and world's 14th.

GLACIERS:
Except poles there is no place on the earth which can compete with the Pakistan having ten thousand square miles of glaciers. These glaciers are found in the northern part of Pakistan.
1. Baltoro(62 km). 2. Biafo(61 km). 3. Batura (58 km). 4. Hisper(61 km)
5. Siachen(75 km)

RIVERS:
Pakistan is also rich in rivers. Indus is one of the largest river of the world having 2900 km length. Other rivers are Ravi, Chenab, Jehlum, Sutlej found in Punjab. in the northern region there are many beatiful and rivers, namely, Hunza, Gilgit, kunhar, Shyok,Braldo and Chitral etc.

LAKES:
There are many lakes spread from Sindh to the Northern part of Pakistan. These are
1. Kenjhar lake ( Thatta, Sindh ) 2. Haleji (Thatta , Sindh)
3. Manchar ( , Sindh) 4. Rawal lake (Rawalpindi, Punjab)
5. Tarbela lake (Tarbela, ) 6.Lake Saifulmulk, lake Lulusar, Lake doodipatsar( Kaghan
7. Lake Sadpara and Kachura (Skardu)

God has gifted us with all its blessings. It is now our duty to fully utilized and take care of these blessings.

Asghar Karim Khan
About the Author: Asghar Karim Khan Read More Articles by Asghar Karim Khan: 14 Articles with 279095 views I am Assistant professor in Physics at Government college in Karachi. I have done Masters in Physics and Computer Science. Traveling in Northern areas.. View More