The Land of Pakistan

Location of Pakistan
- Latitudes, Longitudes & Neighbouring Countries

➔ Total area of Pakistan consists of 796,096 sq. km

➔ It is located in between the latitude 23.5°N, 30°N and 36°N
➔ It is located between the longitude 64°E, 70°E and 76°E
➔ It shares a border with India in the East, China in the North West, Afghanistan in the
North West, Iran in the South West and Arabian Sea in the South.

- Administrative areas of Pakistan

➔ Named cities: Islamabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad,

Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Chitral, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Karachi, Quetta and Gwadar
- Rivers of Pakistan
➔ Named rivers: River Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Swat, Kabul, Hab, Hingol, Porali

- Passes in Pakistan

Passes Areas it connect

Karakoram Kashmir with China

Khunjerab Gilgit with China

Bolan Quetta with Kachi Sibi Plain

Khyber Peshawar with Kabul (Afghanistan)

Lowari Dir with Chitral

Babusar Himalayas with Mansehra

Shera Shing Hindu Kush with Afghanistan in Wakhan Territory

Natural Topography-Including drainage
➔ Topography refers to the study of surface features of land
➔ Pakistan can be divided into six major topographical areas:

● The Northern and North-Western Mountains

● The Western Mountains
● Balochistan Plateau
● Potwar Plateau & Salt Range
● The Indus Plain
● Deserts

The Northern & North-Western Mountains

➔ Consists of Three dominant Ranges
➔ The Northern Mountains can divided into two main mountain ranges; the Karakoram, & the
Himalayas
➔ The North-Western Mountain contains the Hindu Kush range
- The Karakoram range

➔ Karakoram is situated in the Northern Kashmir and the regions of Gilgit.

➔ Average height of the Karakoram Range is 6000 metres.
➔ It has deep, narrow valleys and sharp peaks covered with snow and glaciers.
➔ The highest peak of Pakistan, K-2 is located here (8610 m high).
➔ Karakoram means “black gravel” which is a mass of rock & ice.
➔ Located at the extending for more than 400 km from Hunza to Shyok River, running in an
east to west direction
➔ It has steep sided peaks and deep narrow valleys, gorges, clifs and gullies.
➔ Alpine forests are located here
➔ Siachen (78 km), Biafo (62.5 km) and Baltoro (58 km) are famous glaciers found here
➔ Khunjerab and Karakoram Pass are located in the Karakoram Range

- The Himalayas

➔ Himalaya is surrounded by most of the part of Pakistan towards the North.

➔ Himalaya means “the house of ice”.
➔ These mountains are spread up to Gilgit.
➔ Located at the South of Karakoram
➔ The Himalayas consists of:
● The Siwaliks (600-1200m) located near Attock
● The Lesser or lower Himalayas(1800 -4500 m) covering the area of Murree,Nathia
Gali & Ghora Gali
● Central Himalayas (5000-8126 m) are located between Pir Panjal Range
and Karakoram range. The highest peak of this region is Nanga Parbat
(8126 m)

➔ Steep sided mountains, deep narrow valleys with snow capped peaks are found here.
➔ Winters are cold & long while summers are mild & short
➔ Snowfall at higher altitude and rainfall at lower altitude is experienced during summers.
➔ Alpine and coniferous forests are found here.
➔ It serves as a main source of drainage for River Indus and River Chenab.

- The Hindu Kush

➔ The Hindu Kush range lies in the North West of Karakoram Range.
➔ Most of the mountains of this range are in Afghanistan.
➔ The highest peak of this range is Tirich Mir (7690 m high).
➔ Snow covered peaks with steep sided mountains and deep narrow valleys are located here.
➔ Winters are cold and long while summers are mild to hot & short.
➔ Extreme cold winds blow during winters, temperature falls below freezing point.
➔ Snowfall at higher altitude and rainfall at lower altitude is experienced during winters.
➔ Alpine and coniferous forests are found here.
➔ River Swat & river Kabul are drained by these rivers.
➔ Warsak Dam on river Kabul is the main source of irrigation & drainage.
➔ Chitral and Dir are situated here.
➔ It contains many passes including Khyber Pass, Lowari Pass, Shandur Pass etc.
- Lifestyle of people & Economy of Northern Mountains

➔ The people of the northern areas lead a very harsh life.

➔ The livestock farmers move to lowland areas during winters due to extreme cold and snow.
➔ They then return in the summer or spring season when the temperature becomes bearable
for the animals.
➔ Such practice is known as "Transhumance" or seasonal migration.
➔ Some are nomads who move from one area to another in search of food, water and shelter.
➔ The people are engaged in cottage industries and herding, they rear animals. They keep farms
where they are settled.
➔ Agriculture can only be practised in summers on terraces where wheat, barley, rice, maize, and
vegetables are grown.
➔ The output of cottage industries are handicrafts, rugs, carpets, etc.
➔ Most areas lack transport facilities due to difcult terrain.
➔ Fruits like apricots, apples, peaches and pomegranates are grown in a great quantity.
➔ Gemstones are extracted from some areas.
➔ Northern areas are famous for Tourism.

The Western Mountains

➔ The Western Mountain comprises of the mountain ranges, namely; the Waziristan hills, the
Safed Koh range, the Sulaiman range and the Kirthar range

- Safed Koh range

➔ Located at the South of Kabul River, where the height reaches up to 4712 m.
➔ They are called Safed Koh (White Mountains) because their peaks are often covered with snow.
➔ Steep sided mountains and deep narrow valleys are located here.
➔ Passes like Kurram pass are found there, providing a route to Afghanistan.
➔ River Kabul and River Kurram drain these areas.
➔ Warsak dam on river Kabul and Kurram dam on river Kurram are the main source of drainage,
irrigation and power generation.
➔ Cities like Peshawar, Kohat are located there.
➔ Alpine and coniferous forests are located here.

- Waziristan Hills

➔ Waziristan hills are located between River Kurram and River Gomal.
➔ They reach up to a height of 3513 m.
➔ This hill ranges from a rampart between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
➔ Tochi and Gomal pass are located there.
➔ Snowfall at high altitude is experienced.
➔ Coniferous forests are found here.
➔ Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu Valley are the famous towns.
➔ These hills are highly mineralized.
➔ River Kurram and River Gomal drain this range.
➔ Kurram Dam on river Kurram provides irrigation, drainage and power generation.
- Sulaiman & Kirthar Range

➔ Sulaiman Range is located to the west of river Indus.

➔ Takht-e-Sulaiman (3500 m) is the highest peak
➔ Moving southward of Sulaiman Range is joined by Kirthar Range, which is later backed by
the Pab range.
➔ Limestone and sandstone are the main minerals in these areas.
➔ Rivers Hub, Porali and Hingoli drain these rivers.
➔ Braided river channels drain the Sulaiman range.
➔ Hub dam on river Hub provides irrigation, drainage and power generation.

- Lifestyle of People & Economy of Western Mountains

➔ Life in Western Mountains is difcult because it has rugged topography.

➔ More Population density than the Northern Mountains, Peshawar being the most
densely populated
➔ Except for Peshawar and Kohat, the rest of area is devoid of good communication system
➔ Limited transportation facilities are provided
➔ Nomadic lifestyle is common and sheep and goat rearing is the main occupation
➔ The Western mountains are mostly bare of vegetation.
➔ The relief and climate do not support farming and canal Irrigation.
➔ Sub-tropical scrub forests are found
➔ Some people grow important grains and cash crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane and tobacco.
➔ Millet and grams are also cultivated
➔ A number of cottage industries have long been established and the products include
various handicrafts and the famous Kohat and Peshawari Chappals.
➔ Mineral deposits have not yet been explored and exploited due to the poor road network.

Balochistan Plateau
➔ Balochistan Plateau which is located at the south west of pakistan ranges altitudes from
600m to around 3000m.
➔ It has a number of irregular depressions such as Zhob and Lorelai basins situated
between Toba Kakar Ranges and the Suleiman Ranges.
➔ South west of the Loralai Basin is the Quetta valley
➔ Alluvial fans on the piedmont plain are formed here when the deposits of alluvial material
are brought by the river channels.
➔ It contains several parallel ranges running in an East to West direction such as the Chagai
Hills, Raskoh Range, and Makran Coastal range.
➔ Area is devoid of vegetation and little rainfall.
➔ These basins have no outlet to the sea. So rainfall makes temporary rivers and streams
which often soak into the ground.
➔ The temporary lakes are called Hamuns in the local language. Hamun-i-Mashkel is the
largest Hamun of the region.
➔ There are Salt Lakes and when the water evaporates, a salty crust is left behind and it is
then called Salt Pan.
- Coastal Areas of Balochistan

➔ The coastal areas of the Balochistan Plateau can be divided into eastern and western parts.
➔ The eastern part comprises the Lasbela Plain and the western part is known as the
Makran coast.
➔ The region comprises the Rivers Hub, Porali, Hingol and Dasht which flows into the Arabian
Sea.

Potwar Plateau
➔ It is situated between the River Indus and River Jhelum where the altitude varies from 300
to 600 m, which generally is referred to as bad land topography.
➔ Major cities covers Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock
➔ It is dominated by limestone ridges, salt, coal and oil mines and ravines.
➔ Kalar- Kahar Lake and Khabeki Lake are two salt lakes located here.
➔ Kala-Chitta and Khairi–Murat ranges are the two prominent hill ranges (1000 m).
➔ River Jhelum and River Soan are the two main sources of drainage.
➔ Mangla Dam on River Jhelum is the main source of irrigation, drainage, and power generation.

Salt Range
➔ Average altitude is 750 m to 900 m
➔ The highest point of the range is Sakesar peak (1527 m)
➔ It runs from east-west direction
➔ Areas such as Jhelum, Chakwal, Kalabagh and Mianwali districts are located here.
➔ Salt range consists of several parallel ranges which are folded and faulted. Sandstone
and shale rocks are commonly found.
➔ It rich in rock salt, gypsum and limestone

- Lifestyle of Potwar Plateau & Salt Range

➔ The area is rich in mineral deposits for which manpower is employed, some people
are employed in Attock Oil Refinery, others in cement factories.
➔ It is a Barani (rain-fed) land where canal irrigation is difcult to practise.
➔ Population density is high in major towns like Rawalpindi & low in villages like Chakwal &
Attock
➔ There are technical training institutions for men & women, which will open gates
of employment for them.
➔ Construction of the M-1 phase of the motorway has improved the local economy.
➔ The people in this region are modern. Barani lands are found to grow wheat.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors are present.

The Indus Plain

➔ The Indus Plain is divided into Upper Indus, Lower Indus and Deltaic plain.
➔ It is located on the eastern side of Pakistan and covers the whole Punjab & most of Sindh.
➔ Northern part of the plain is called Upper Indus Plain, covering the area of Punjab.
➔ Southern part of the plain is called Lower Indus Plain, covering most of Sindh.
➔ The area of upper Indus plain is drained by river Indus and its tributaries; River
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej.
➔ The land is often flooded after the severe rainfall.
➔ Monsoons usually bring heavy rains in July - September months when Humidity is high.
➔ The four main tributaries of Indus are joined at Panjand which later joins Indus at Mithankot.
➔ Doab is the land between two rivers, e.g. the land between Ravi and Sutlej.
➔ Doabs are favoured as areas for a number of human activities such as farming,
construction of settlements, buildings of transport, other industrial & business activities.
➔ Each Doab has leveès, Active Flood Plains, Old Flood Plain, Scarps, Alluvial terraces.

Doabs Location

Sindh Sagar Doab Between Indus and Jehlum

Chaj Between Jhelum and Chenab

Rachna Between Chenab and Ravi

Bari Between Ravi and Sutlej

- Active Flood Plains

➔ It is a flat, narrow plain on both sides of a river.

➔ The area is around 2-3m above the level of a river.
➔ The area gets actively flooded every year, hence it is a suitable place for growing
water intensive crops such as Rice, Sugarcane, etc.
➔ Towards the end of the rainy season, when the river changes its position Meanders,
Oxbow lakes, Abandoned and braided channels become visible.
➔ The fast flow of the river brings alluvium in large quantities.
- Oxbow lake, Braided channels & Flood Plain

- Old Flood Plain

➔ It is a flat area that comes after the Active flood plain.

➔ The area is around 5m above the level of a river.
➔ It is flooded every 7-8 years when there is heavy monsoon rainfall
➔ Old Alluvium deposits cover the plain, which makes it suitable for agriculture.
➔ It consists of Meanders, Oxbow Lakes, Braided Channels and Levees.

- Alluvial Terraces

➔ They are the areas higher than the ground, shaped like bars.
➔ Formed due to the deposition of old alluvium
➔ They are only found in the doabs of Upper Indus Plain.
➔ They are suited best for agriculture with the help of irrigation facilities.
 Bars Doabs they are located on

Sandal Bar Rechna Doab

Ganji Bar Bari Doab

Nili Bar Bari & Kirana Doab

- Features of a river

- Piedmont Plains

➔ Located at the foothills of Sulaiman, Kirthar and Himalayan Mountains

➔ Most of the rivers or streams emerges from these foothills, here the river flow slowly due
to which they deposit the alluvium, sand & gravel,and Piedmont Plains are formed
➔ Alluvial fans are the most dominant features of Piedmont plains

- Tidal Delta

➔ A fan or a triangular-shaped deposit of sand formed on the opening through which

ocean water enters and leave
➔ When a river comes closer to the Arabian Sea, its speed decreases and alluvium is
deposited on the seafloor , which divides the river into small channels.
➔ Two of the rivers of Pakistan form the Delta:
➔ Indus Delta is formed on River Indus;
➔ Hub Delta is formed on River Hub
➔ The Indus delta has mangrove swamps

- Rolling Sand Dunes

Most dominant characteristic of desert

It is a mound or a ridge of sand generated when a barrier blocks the course of rolling sand
Causing part of the sand to be deposited behind the barrier.
Direction of sand dunes is longitudinal, while latitudinal are also seen
- Lifestyle & Economy of Indus Plain

➔ The Upper and lower indus plains constitute the most active and important economic region
in Pakistan.
➔ Due to fertile alluvium and flat land agricultural and industrial activities are performed.
➔ Tolerable climate conditions have attracted people to settle down.
➔ Cash Crops with many agro based industries have developed in this region.
➔ In the Indus Delta region, the sources of earning are fishing and agriculture.
➔ They also have some other primary industries.
➔ The Indus Plain has a dense network of railway lines and roads. All the modern facilities
are provided over here.
➔ Thick population density in this region
➔ All employment sectors as primary, secondary and tertiary are present due to infrastructure.

The Desert Areas

➔ Rolling sand plains and sand dunes are found here
➔ There are alot of sand plains and pattis (strips of sand formed by the action of Wind)
➔ Gently undulating plain, longitudinal and latitudinal ridges are other important features
➔ There are rolling sand hills, wide interdunal valleys with slit and clayey sediments
➔ The rocks are barren due to lack of water
➔ Cracks appear in the rocks due to the efect of weathering
➔ These areas are bare of any drainage system
➔ No rivers or streams pass through the deserts
➔ River Indus is near Thal. Desert Sukkur barrage has provided irrigation facility in Thar desert
➔ If a water body is present then it turns into an oasis

Deserts Location

Kharan Balochistan

Thal Punjab, Between Indus & Jhelum

Thar ● Tharparkar
● Nara
● Cholistan

- Lifestyle & Economy of Desert Areas

➔ Life in deserts is quite difcult because of hot climate, lack of water and vegetation
and frequent dust storms
➔ The population density is very low and nomadic life is common. People move in
search of fodder and water
➔ Milk, meat and butter are provided by the livestock
➔ After the construction of Sukkur Barrage, much of the Thar is converted to farmland
➔ Poverty is dominant and people sufer from diseases, mainly allergies and Hepatitis B
➔ The coal and power project, started with the Chinese Cooperation PSDP (Public
Sector Development Project) is an example of this regard
➔ Cash crops are also grown eg. onion, garlic, chilies and brinjal
Climate
➔ Climate: Atmospheric condition of an area for a long period of time, e.g., 20-30 years
➔ Weather: Atmospheric condition of an area for a short period of time, e.g., day to day

Climatic Zones
➔ The four Climatic zones in Pakistan are:
● Highland climate
● Lowland climate
● Coastal climate
● Arid climate

- Highland Climate

➔ Includes northern, northwestern and western highlands.

➔ Winters are long, cold and snowy and the summers are short and mild.
➔ Rainfall is associated with altitude, highest in the northern mountain.
➔ Western mountains experience less rainfall.
➔ Temperature also varies depending on the altitude.
➔ Summers are short, mild & wet in the northern mountains but dry & warm in western
mountains.
➔ Farming is not possible during winter.
➔ People practise indoor activities such as carpet weaving, pottery etc
➔ Transhumance is popular where people move from highland to lowland areas in winter and
the opposite in summer.
➔ Mainly herdsmen keep sheep and goats.

- Lowland Climate

➔ Includes the whole Indus plain except coastal areas.

➔ Arid and extreme climate, hot summers and cool winters with summer monsoon.
➔ Rainfall difers from north to west.
➔ The North has a lot more rainfall whereas the west has less and higher temperature.
➔ Fertile plains and river Indus with its tributaries make it popular for agriculture.
➔ Have well developed canal systems

- Coastal Climate

➔ Includes southern coastal strip

➔ The maritime influence keeps the temperature low
➔ In summer the land heats up while the ocean is cool
➔ In winter the land loses heat quickly and becomes cold while the ocean is much warmer
➔ Average humidity level is more than 50% and the mean temperature is 32°C
➔ Farming is possible throughout the year
➔ Seaports are used for trading and fishing
➔ Many large-scale industries
➔ People face floods and tropical cyclones
- Arid Climate

➔ Includes south-western Balochistan and the west-eastern desert

➔ Dry and hot with less rainfall
➔ Extreme heat, dryness and dust storms are experienced
➔ Not ideal for farming
➔ There are mostly nomads here travelling around for food and water with their herds
➔ There is less rainfall so people use the Karez system
➔ Some areas have been reclaimed for farming using perennial canals

- The four seasons in Pakistan

➔ Winter: From December to March

➔ Early summer: From April to June
➔ Late summer (monsoon season): From July to September
➔ Post-monsoon: From October to December
Climatic Elements
➔ Temperature
➔ Rainfall
➔ Pressure & Wind

1. Temperature
➔ Temperature is a degree of hotness or coldness that can be measured using a thermometer.
➔ Temperature is generally measured in degrees on Celsius scale.
➔ Jacobabad is known as the thermal pool where the max temperature reaches 53 °C and
the mean temperature in the summer is 43°C.

- Factors Affecting Temperature

➔ Latitudinal Efect: The areas closer to the equator receive direct/latitudinal rays from the
sun and get higher temperature.
➔ Continental Efect: Along coastal areas ocean currents and wind afect the temperature.
➔ Altitude: The air is densest at sea level and less dense at high altitude. The less density
of air to absorb heat at higher altitude causes lower temperature.
➔ Cloud Cover: Cloud reduces solar radiation by reflecting it back into outer space
during the day and at night it traps the heat going to outer space.
➔ Latitude and Angle of Sun: During summer the northern hemisphere is tilted toward
the sun causing higher temperature. In winter it's the opposite.

2. Rainfall

➔ The main sources of rainfall in Pakistan are:

● Monsoon Wind
● Western depression
● Convectional current
● Relief rainfall
● Tropical Cyclone

- Monsoon Winds

➔ Seasonal winds occurring during summers and winters

➔ Summer winds are known as south-west monsoons, while winter winds are known as
north-east monsoons.
➔ Rains begin when the summer sun heats up tropical continents faster than the ocean.
➔ Warm air rising overland creates low pressure, attracting cool, moist air from the sea.
➔ Main monsoon winds blow from the Bay of Bengal, crossing Bangladesh and North
India before entering northern Pakistan.
➔ Monsoon winds start in June and cause heavy rainfall in northern Punjab in July.
➔ Seasonal reversal of monsoon winds; blowing towards the land in summer and towards the
sea in winter.
- Western Depression

➔ Winds originating in the Mediterranean Sea

➔ Travel across Afghanistan and Iran before reaching the western areas
➔ These winds bring rainfall from December to March.

- Convectional Currents

➔ Hot air rises at the beginning of summer, carrying high moisture content
➔ Condensation occurs when the air reaches higher layers of the atmosphere, leading to rainfall,
especially in northern and north-western areas.

- Relief Rainfall

➔ Related to the height of the land

➔ Occurs when moist, unstable air moves up and experiences condensation and
precipitation through wind
➔ Leeward slopes tend to receive sinking, warming air, creating dry rain shadow areas.

- Tropical Cyclones

➔ May bring a few hours of heavy rainfall and destructive winds to coastal areas
➔ Originates over the Arabian Sea, but rarely reaches the coast of Pakistan
➔ Source of rainfall from tropical cyclones is unpredictable and unreliable.

3. Pressure & Wind

➔ In summer the temperature is high on land which causes the hot air to rise up and form a
low pressure zone.
➔ At the same time the ocean & seas have low temperatures creating a high pressure zone.
➔ This causes the movement of summer monsoon wind causing heavy rainfall.
➔ In winter it is the complete opposite as the pressure over land increases and the pressure
over oceans and seas decreases.
➔ This causes the movement of winter monsoon wind.
Storms
➔ Strong winds occur from April to June in summer and September to October in
the post-monsoon season,reaching speeds of 60-80 km per hour.
➔ Stormy rainfall and hail are possible
➔ Fruits are destroyed and crops are damaged
➔ Electricity infrastructure is disrupted
➔ Communication systems, including telephone lines and internet connections, can be damaged
➔ Transportation becomes difcult.

Causes

- Natural cause

➔ Unreliability of rainfall by monsoon

➔ Dry, hot winds
➔ Sandy soils lacking moisture
➔ Arid lands
➔ Global climate is changing

- Human cause

➔ Mismanagement of water resources due to seepage of unlined canals

➔ Dispute on water distribution among provinces overgrazing of land leading to soil
erosion reduces the soil fertility
➔ Deforestation on foothills of mountains in areas with solid erosion

Effects
➔ Economy is destructed
➔ Animals cannot get fodder
➔ Human beings can die due to shortage of food crops
➔ Cattle can die

Floods

- Advantages

➔ Increased alluvium flow leading to soil fertility

➔ Greater water discharge in rivers for hydroelectric power generation
➔ Enhanced irrigation opportunities for agriculture
➔ Increased fish migration to river deltas
➔ Improved reproduction and breeding of fish in freshwater areas
➔ Replenishment of groundwater reserves
➔ Nutrient enrichment of the land
➔ Promotion of wetland expansion and health
- Disadvantages

➔ Disruption of residential areas from essential services and shops

➔ Destruction of crops and crop fields
➔ Damage to houses and infrastructure
➔ Outbreak of epidemics, resulting in illness
➔ Damage and isolation of roads and railway tracks
➔ Risk of drowning for humans and animals

- Effective Measures for Flood Control

➔ Implement aforestation programs in the foothills of mountains to promote tree

growth
➔ Construct cemented embankments on both sides to prevent flood water overflow
➔ Build more reservoirs, barrages, and dams to store water for electricity
generation and local water supply
➔ Initiate flood warning programs through various media platforms
➔ Develop comprehensive rehabilitation programs for flood victims and afected
regions
➔ Expand river channels to accommodate larger volumes of water

Droughts

-The Four types of Droughts

➔ Permanent Drought: Stays forever

➔ Seasonal Drought: Stays for a dry season
➔ Invisible Drought: Result of less water causing lower crop yield
➔ Unpredictable Drought: Caused by an abnormally low amount of rainfall

-Causes of Drought

➔ Unreliable rain source

➔ Climate Change
➔ Deforestation
➔ Mismanagement of water resources
➔ Overgrazing
➔ Global Warming