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Geography & Environment of Pakistan

Baluchistan, region in southern Central Asia, on the Arabian Sea in southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran. It is a generally mountainous region, cut through with deserts and barren plains. The inhabitants belong mainly to three ethnic groups: the Pashtun, the Baluchi, and the Brahui. Beginning in the 5th century BC, Baluchistan was ruled by various groups, including the Persian Empire, Macedonia, and Britain. When the British withdrew from India after World War II (1939-1945), Baluchistan province joined Pakistan. Iran acquired its Baluchistan territory in the 19th century.

Arabian Sea, portion of the Indian Ocean between the Arabian Peninsula on the west and the subcontinent of India on the east. Bounded on the north by Iran and Pakistan, it merges with the main body of the Indian Ocean in the south. The chief ports are Karāchi, Pakistan; and Mumbai (formerly Bombay) India.

Himalayas, also Himalaya, mountain system in Asia, comprising a series of parallel and converging ranges and forming the highest mountain region in the world. More than 30 peaks of the Himalayas rise to heights of 7620 m (25,000 ft) or more, and one of these, Mount Everest (8848 m/29,028 ft), is the world's highest mountain. The Himalayas stretch from the Indus River in northern Pakistan eastward and southward in a great arc above the Indian subcontinent. The Himalayas were formed as the Indian Plate, moving north, pressed against the stationary Asian landmass (see Plate Tectonics) during the middle or late Tertiary period (12 million to 65 million years ago). Even today the system has not reached a state of equilibrium, and earthquakes are frequent.

The Himalayas can be divided into four parallel, longitudinal mountain belts of varying widths. From south to north these belts are the Outer Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, the Great Himalayas, and the Tibetan Himalayas. The maximum height of these mountains is in Nepal, where 9 of the world's 14 highest peaks are found. The passes in the Himalayas are the highest in the world. The Himalayas are drained by several major Asian rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Indus, and the headwaters of the Ganges River.

Three seasons are generally recognizable in the Himalayas: a cold winter period, a hot period, and the southwestern monsoon season. The high main range of the Himalayas forms a vast screen that intercepts and condenses nearly all moisture carried by the monsoons. The elevation of the Himalayas also affects its temperature range. Vegetation is generally more lush in the east, where rainfall is heaviest. During the second half of the 20th century, many regions of the Lesser Himalayas have been deforested for firewood and to make room for agricultural development, resulting in severe erosion. The Himalayan black bear, the clouded leopard, the langur monkey, and the goat antelope are widespread in the higher Himalayan forests.

Hindu Kush, major mountain system in central Asia, extending generally southwest for more than 800 km (more than 500 mi), from the plateau region of the Pamirs on the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The system lies largely in northeastern Afghanistan.

In the first section west of the Pamirs, the Hindu Kush extends southward. The system then turns to the southwest and gains in elevation. The highest peak of this section is Tirich Mìr, 7690 m (25,230 ft) above sea level, in Pakistan. The Hindu Kush is the source of many rivers, including the Amu Darya River and several tributaries of the Indus River.

Indus, river of Asia, formed in western Tibet (an autonomous region of China) by glacial streams from the Himalayas. It flows from Tibet northwest across the Indian-controlled portion of Jammu and Kashmīr, between the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush mountain range, and then south through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea, covering 2900 km (1800 mi). The Indus provides irrigation for many millions of acres of the Sind Province. Historically, the Indus River valley is important as the cradle of the ancient Indus Valley civilization, one of the earliest civilizations.

Karakorum Range, mountain range of south central Asia, extending from the eastern edge of Afghanistan into Jammu and Kashmīr, a territory that is disputed by India and Pakistan. The range includes K2 (8611 m/28,251 ft), the world's second highest peak.

Khyber Pass, mountain pass in western Asia, the most important pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan, controlled by Pakistan. The Khyber Pass winds northwest through the Safed Koh near Peshāwar, Pakistan, to Kābul, Afghanistan. The mountains on either side can be climbed only in a few places. The pass is walled by precipitous cliffs. For centuries the Khyber Pass was used by invaders to enter India. During the Afghan Wars of the 1800s and early 1900s, the pass was the scene of skirmishes between Anglo-Indian soldiers and Afghans.

Punjab (historic region), northwestern portion of the subcontinent of India, now divided into the province of Punjab in Pakistan and the states of Punjab and Haryāna in India. The extreme northeast lies in the Himalayan foothills, but most of the territory is a level plain. The Indus, Jhelum, Chenāb, Rāvi, and Sutlej rivers cross the area. The chief cities include Amritsar, Chandīgarh, Lahore, Multān, Rāwalpindi, and Siālkot. Most inhabitants work in agriculture. The climate of the plains is extremely hot and dry between April and August. The rains of the monsoon season begin at the end of June. Winters are cool.

In the Indian Punjab region, the majority of the population is Sikh, and the largest minority is Hindu. In the Pakistani portion, about 97 percent of the population is Muslim. Punjab was annexed by Britain in 1849. When the British granted independence to the Indian subcontinent in 1947, the Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan. Rioting and civil strife among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs began even before the 1947 partition, and with the Punjabi partition, open warfare erupted. As a result of the fighting, large numbers of Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs emigrated to friendly territory.

Rājasthān, state in northwestern India, bordering Pakistan and Punjab state. Rājasthān covers an area of 342,239 sq km (132,139 sq mi). The capital is Jaipur. In the west, the state is relatively dry and infertile. In the southwest, the land is wetter, hilly, and more fertile. On average, winters are moderate and summers are hot.

Rājasthān has a population of 44,005,990 (1991). Ethnic groups include Rajput, Bhil, Minas, and others. The majority of the people practice Hinduism. Rājasthān's main languages are Rajasthani and Hindi. Its economy is mainly agricultural. It also has cotton mills and cement works, but handicrafts are the main industry. Rājasthān has a single-chamber legislative assembly. Most of the state was formed between 1948 and 1950 from the former principalities of Rajputana.

Thar Desert or Great Indian Desert, extensive region of sandy desert in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan. The largest portion is located in Rājasthān state, India. The Thar Desert is about 805 km (about 500 mi) long and about 485 km (about 300 mi) wide. The terrain consists mainly of rolling sandhills, among which shrub growth and rock outcroppings exist. Rainfall is sparse. Most people are herders, and hide and wool industries are prominent. In 1974 India detonated its first nuclear device here.

This Page Was Last Updated on :- ... Monday, January 15, 2001 05:06:53 PM