Pakistan Geography: A Comprehensive Overview

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Introduction to Geography of Pakistan

Pakistan, or Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a country in southern Asia. It was created in 1947 by the partition of British India into India and Pakistan and consisted originally of two parts—East Pakistan on the eastern side of India and West Pakistan on the west. Between them lay more than 900 miles (1,450 km) of Indian territory. In 1971, after a brief civil war and military intervention by India, East Pakistan seceded and established itself as the independent nation of Bangladesh.

Pakistan fronts the Arabian Sea and is bounded by Iran, Afghanistan, India, and Kashmir, a disputed territory occupied partly by Pakistan and partly by India.

Pakistan in briefGeneral informationCapital: Islamabad.Official name: The Islamic Republic of Pakistan.Official language: Urdu.Largest cities: (1998 census): Karachi (9,269,265); Lahore(5,063,499); Faisalabad (1,977,246); Rawalpindi (1,406,214); Multan (1,182,441); Hyderabad (1,151,274).Land and climateLand: Pakistan lies in southern Asia, north of the Arabian Sea. It borders Iran, Afghanistan, China, and India. Mountains cover most of northern and western Pakistan. The Thar Desert covers much of southeastern Pakistan, and most of southwestern Pakistan is an arid plateau. A major river system waters the fertile plains of central Pakistan.Area: 307,374 mi2 (796,095 km2). Greatest distances—north-south, 934 mi (1,505 km); east-west, 800 mi (1,287 km). Coastline—506 mi (814 km).Elevation: Highest—K2 (in Kashmir), 28,250 ft (8,611 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level.Climate: Most of Pakistan has a dry climate, with hot summers and cool winters. Pakistan averages only about 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain a year. Long dry spells may be broken by severe rainstorms that cause rivers to overflow and flood the countryside.GovernmentForm of government: Federal republic.Head of state: President.Head of government: Prime minister.Legislature: Parliament of two houses—the National Assembly and the Senate.Flag and coat of arms: Pakistan's flag has a star and crescent, the traditional symbols of Islam, on a green background. Green stands for the nation's Muslim majority. A vertical white stripe is on the left of the flag. A wreath of narcissus, the national flower, encircles a shield on the Pakistani coat of arms.Executive: Prime minister and president each have some executive powers.Judiciary: Highest court is the Supreme Court.Political subdivisions: Four provinces and the Capital Territory of Islamabad.PeoplePopulation: Current estimate—167,947,000; 1998 census—132,352,279.Population density: 546 per mi2 (211 km2).Distribution: 65 percent rural, 35 percent urban.Major ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (or Pakhtun), Baluchi, and Muhajir.Major religions: 77 percent Sunni Muslim, 20 percent Shite Muslim, 3 percent other, including Christian and Hindu.EconomyChief products: Agriculture—wheat, cotton, rice, sugar cane, milk, chickpeas. Manufacturing—cotton textiles and clothing, food products, fertilizer, steel, cement. Mining—natural gas, petroleum.Money: Basic unit—Pakistani rupee. One hundred paise equal one rupee.Foreign trade: Major exports—textiles, including garments, cotton cloth, and yarn; agricultural products; leather goods; and carpets. Major imports—petroleum goods, machinery, transportation equipment, and chemicals. Major trading partners—United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Physical Geography

Pakistan is a country in Asia.Land

Pakistan consists largely of high mountains, plateaus, and lowland plains. Its mountainous section, occupying about half of the land, lies west of the Indus River. Beginning near the Arabian Sea, ranges extend northeastward and increase in height toward the Himalayas. Peaks rise more than 11,000 feet (3,350 m) above sea level in the Sulaiman and other central ranges. In the majestic Hindu Kush range of the far north stands glacier-capped Tirich Mir. Rising to a height of 25,230 feet (7,690 m), it is the highest peak in Pakistan. Breaching the ranges are many passes, most notable of which is Khyber Pass. The largest plateau area lies in Baluchistan, in the southwest.

Lowlands prevail east of the Indus River. In the Punjab region, in the northeast, fertile alluvial plains parallel the rivers. There is also some steppe and arid land, notably the That Desert. Most of the Sind region in southeastern Pakistan fringes the Thar, or Great Indian, Desert—a virtual wasteland except in areas where irrigation water is available.

Water

Pakistan is drained primarily by the Indus River and such principal tributaries as the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers. The Indus system is extremely important to both India and Pakistan. In many areas, irrigation water supplied by the rivers is the only means of sustaining life. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, negotiated through the World Bank, allocates the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab to Pakistan and the waters of the Ravi and Sutlej to India. Hydroelectric power, flood control, and irrigation water are provided by several large dams, chief of which are the Tarbela, on the Indus, and the Mangla, on the Jhelum. By volume, the Tarbela dam is the world's largest.

Climate

Except in mountainous areas, where the climate is determined largely by elevation, Pakistan has a subtropical climate that is extremely hot and dry.

Beginning in February, after a brief cool period, temperatures rise rapidly. Well before June (the hottest month), daytime highs of 110° to 120° F. (43° to 49° C.) occur throughout most of the land. Nights bring only slight relief from the intense heat. Virtually no rain falls during this time.

Late June or early July usually marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon, which lasts until September and brings almost all the rain received each year. It also brings a cloud cover that slightly reduces the heat. Except in parts of the north, where 20 to 40 inches (500 to 1,000 mm) may fall, precipitation is scant. Less than 10 inches (250 mm) a year is normal for most of the country. Large areas receive less than 5 inches (125 mm).

October through January is the cool season. It is dominated by the northeast monsoon, which brings cool air from the interior of Asia. Average January temperatures range from about 50° F. (10° C.) on the northern plains to more than 65° F. (18° C.) in the south. Temperatures below freezing are relatively rare and occur only in the north. Only the high mountains receive snow.

Economy

Virtually all the manufacturing and other modern economic activities that existed in British India were in the area that, upon partition in 1947, went to India; the area that became Pakistan had an economy based almost entirely on agriculture. The transportation and irrigation systems serving what became Pakistan were, to a large extent, severed by partition, adding to the new country's economic problems. A largely illiterate population also presented a major obstacle to economic development.

The first in a series of five-year economic plans began in 1955. Much has been accomplished since then in improving farming and in developing manufacturing, electric power, and transportation. Nevertheless, Pakistan remains one of the poorest nations in the world. One of the chief obstacles to providing a higher living standard has been the nation's explosive population growth—about threefold since the founding of the country. Civil strife, political instability, and heavy military expenditures, mainly because of repeated conflicts with India, have also hindered economic growth.

Nationalization of most of Pakistan's major industries occurred in the early 1970's. During the early 1990's, however, the Pakistani government denationalized many of the country's industries and introduced measures that encouraged the growth of private enterprise.

Agriculture

engages roughly half of the working population. To a large extent, farming is made possible by irrigation systems fed by the Indus River and its tributaries. Unirrigated land capable of growing crops lies in the more humid northerly areas, mainly the Punjab. Of the total crop area, which amounts to about a fourth of all land, more than 80 per cent is irrigated.

In production, wheat is the chief crop. Rice ranks second. Chickpeas, millet, corn, sorghum, sugarcane, mustard and rape seeds (for oil), and barley are also major food crops. Cotton is the leading cash and industrial crop. In its production Pakistan ranks among the world leaders.

Farms are generally small; the vast majority consist of small parcels totaling only a few acres. Despite some reform efforts, much land is still held by absentee landlords and is worked by sharecroppers, tenants, and laborers. The use of hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and farm machinery has increased crop yields over the years.

Livestock is important for its draft power as well as for its products. Water buffalo, donkeys, camels, goats, sheep, and cattle make up most of the livestock.

Manufacturing

The growth of Pakistan's manufacturing industries has been remarkably rapid, considering the country's limited natural resources and lack of capital and technical and managerial skills. The chief industrial centers are Karachi and the major cities of the Punjab.

The making of cotton textiles and clothing is the leading industry in Pakistan. Other agricultural processing industries include sugar refining, leather tanning, and tobacco processing.

Engineering industries, such as automobile assembly and the making of electrical machinery and appliances, machine tools, and forgings are concentrated mainly in Karachi. Pakistan also has sizable cement, fertilizer, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The first large steel mill was completed in the early 1980's.

Pakistan's handicraft and cottage, industries produce many of the everyday items used by Pakistanis. Rugs and carpets, embroidery goods, pottery, wooden and leather products, are leading exports.

Fishing, Lumbering, and Mining

Commercial fishing is centered in the Arabian Sea and provides significant export revenues from shrimp, sardines, sharks and other fish. .

There is little lumbering in Pakistan. The few forests that exist lie mainly in mountainous areas and have no easy access.

Pakistan's natural gas reserves are substantial, and natural gas is one of the nation's leading sources of energy. Pakistan also produces petroleum, coal, iron ore, limestone, and rock salt. Production of other minerals has been hindered by the remote locations of their deposits.

Transportation

facilities are largely owned and operated by the government. Though improving, most are inadequate and poorly developed. Paved roads link the major cities and provide access to all neighboring countries, including China via Kashmir. Most of the railways serve the Punjab and the Indus Valley. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the nation's main airline, is an important domestic carrier and also flies international routes. Major international airports are at Karachi and Lahore. The chief seaport is at Karachi.

Trade

Pakistan's chief trading partners are the United States, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, and Saudi Arabia. In almost every year imports exceed exports.

The People

The Pakistanis are a Caucasian people and most are descended from Aryan invaders who entered the region sometime between 2000 and 1500 B.C. Two of Pakistan's Aryan-descended groups are the Punjabis (about 65 per cent of the population) and the Sindhis (13 per cent). The Pashtuns (8.5 per cent) are an Afghan people. A fourth major group, the Baluchis (2.5 per cent), came from Iran between the 6th and 14th centuries.

Language

The Pakistanis consider Urdu their national language, even though only a small percentage of the people speak it. In Sind Province, Sindhi is mainly spoken, and in the Punjab, Punjabi is spoken. Pushtu is used by the Pashtuns. All of these languages are Indo-European. Other regional tongues include one of Dravidian origin. English is widely used in commerce, government, and education.

Education

Primary schooling begins at age five and lasts five years. Secondary schooling is divided into two stages—a three-year stage followed by a four-year stage. About half the school-age children attend primary school; and about a fifth, secondary school. It is estimated that one fifth of Pakistan's government schools are vacant. Many students instead attend madrassahs, schools that teach Islamic theology and provide students with food and housing. The literacy rate is about 35 per cent.

The oldest institution of higher learning is the University of Lahore (founded in 1882). Other major universities include the University of Sindh (1947) in Karachi, the University of Karachi (1951), and the University of Peshawar (1950).

Religion

About 95 per cent of Pakistan's people are Muslims, the vast majority belonging to the Sunnite branch. About 15 per cent of the Muslims belong to the Shiite branch. Within the Shiite branch is another minority, the Ismailis. Another group, the Ahmadiyas, regard themselves as Muslims but are not considered as such by most orthodox Muslims or by the Pakistani government. Hindus, Christians, and Parsis are other minorities.

Way of Life and Culture

The population of Pakistan is made up of many groups, each with its own traditions and way of life. In general, life centers in the village. Wealthy landowners largely dominate the government and economy.

The standard of living is low, particularly in rural areas. There has been a marked increase in urbanization as people attempt to escape poverty by moving to the cities. However, the cities cannot handle the influx of people, and poor sanitary conditions, food shortages, and inadequate housing exist here as well as in rural areas. Only the privileged few—mainly government officials, industrialists, landowners, and merchants—enjoy high living standards.

Culturally, Pakistan owes much to the time when the Moguls were in power and imposed their religion, Islam. Exquisitely detailed paintings and gracefully decorated buildings are examples of Mogul art at its highest point. Both contemporary and traditional literature also reflect the Mogul culture. Noted Pakistani poets include Qazi Nazr-ul-Islam and Mohammed Iqbal, who was the first to propose a separate Muslim state.

Government

Pakistan is a federal republic. The legislature consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. Most members of the National Assembly are directly elected; they serve four-year terms. Members of the Senate are chosen by provincial legislatures; they serve five-year terms. A president is elected by a joint session of the National Assembly and Senate for a five-year term. A prime minister, chosen by the National Assembly, is the head of government and serves a four-year term.

The constitution of 1973 has been amended many times; it has also been suspended, as it was in 1999 by the military. It was restored in 2002 with amendments contested by various political factions.

The judicial system consists of a supreme court, provincial high courts, and a Shari'a (Federal Islamic) court.