NORTHERN AREAS OF PAKISTAN
The Northern Areas of Pakistan include the valleys of Baltistan ( Capital ) Skardu Gilgit.Chitral Kohistan, Swat and Kaghan though administratively in the Frontier Province are also parts of this region so far as its tourist attractions are concerned.There are 120 peaks, some unclaimed and unnamed with an average height of 6550 metre ( 21,490 ft ). To their south are the Rakaposhi ( 25550 ft ) Bilrichar Dubani ( 20,126 ft 0 and Haramosh ( 24,270 ft ). To the south east of Gilgit stands in its majestic aloofness the Nanga Parbat ( naked mountain ) ( 26,660 ft ) the last western segment of the great Himalayan Ranges, In Chitral, the Trichmir ( 25,230 ft ) is the heights in the Hindu Kush.
SKARDU
The capital of Baltistan, the centre of commerce and transportation and gateway to one of the world's most spectacular landscapes, lies at 2347 M and situated amidst towering mountains, deep gorges and quite lakes on the very bank of the Indus, at the foot of " Kharpocho " ( Alexandria Fort ) on the enormous rock sticking almost 350 M out of the Plain.From Skardu roads branch out to the valleys of Shigar , Khaplu, Kharmong, Rondu and Deosai Plateau. Despite difficult terrain, communications between the town and villages are reasonable good, and jeeps tracks have, over the years, been carved out to link most places, However, frequent landslides have mode the process of road building quite slow.
Baltistan a majestic land scope of black mountains Gods.Baltistan ( actually call " Little Tibet" ) The Roof of the World" and a high Altitude Desert, is generally reckoned to comprised of the area lying between Laddakh ( to the East ) and Hunza river ( to the West ), with the Karakoram range defining the Northern boundary and the Astor river the South Western. This includes all the major peaks of the Karakoram which largely line the sides of the 30 mile long Baltoro Glacier. ) Baltistan was called early days as Balti Yul ( Place of Balti People ) After the advent of Islam here the Iranian Preachers give the name of Baltistan. before Islam, it is a one of the main part of Tibet due to its Culture and Language. The religion it has five main valleys ( Skardu, Khaplu, Shiger, Kharmang and Rondu ), and language here mainly speak Balti which is same as Tibetan language.Baltistan are very rich on cultural basis. It has many cultural impact of the different side like Tibet, Laddakh, Mughals and central Asian Countries. Due to relation with Tibet and Laddakh on the basis of religion and language in past years, Some Tibetan and Laddakh Cultural were accepted in Baltistan Trade with Kashmir during the reign of Dogra- Raj, some tradition and cultural impact impose in Balti culture. On the other hand during the region of mughal emperor Saleem, the Raja of Skardu Ali Sheer Khan Anchan married with sister of Moghal Emperor. The bride brought large number of artists with her. These artist introduce some classical Rag in the Balti society.Baltistan has seen many uneven condition in past years. There were many ruler in different area ( like in Skardu, and Kharmang were Maqpon, Rundou was Louncha, in Khaplu was Yabgo while in Shiger was Amacha ). Relation between these families depend upon their own benefit. In 1840 Dogra attacked and captured the whole Baltistan and became a part of Kashmir. Dogra ruled here about 100 Years and the whole duration was the worst part of history for Balti People. After a long struggle for independent of Baltistan against the Dogra-Raj, Baltistan has freed in 1948 and offer Pakistan Government to accept as a part of Pakistan. Now Baltistan is a part of Pakistan.The people of Baltistan, specially living in the valleys, are very famous because of their friendly manners and hospitality.
The bulk of population lives in small villages along the rivers. The villagers are farmers and shepherds and their work has structured the land. Every village is a geometrical oasis, every from a confusion of terraces, walls, and waterways, Goats and sheep are common in the mountains during summer and a number of villages are essentially shepherd camps.
