TOPOGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN
NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
MAJOR TOPOGRAPHICAL AREAS
The Northern mountains
and northwestern
mountains.(Himalayas,
Hindukush, the Karakorum)
The Western mountains
(Safedkoh ranges,
Waziristan hills, Suleiman
range, Kirthar range)
The Baluchistan plateau
Potwar plateau and Salt
ranges
The Indus plain
Desert areas. (Kharan
desert, Thar desert, Thal
RELIEF FEATURES OF NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
Parallel ranges run mainly from West and East.
Height increases from South to North.
Important passes like Khunjerab Pass, Lawarai Pass and Shandur Pass.
Snow-capped peaks/ steep slopes
Precipitation in the form of snowfall at higher altitude and rainfall on the lower altitude.
Important glaciers Siachen, Baltoro and Batura.
Winters are long and cold while summers are mild and short.
Alpine to Coniferous forests are found here.
Gorges, lakes, valleys and waterfalls.
Rain shadow area and scarce vegetation.
DRAINAGE FEATURES OF THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
River Shyok and River Gilgit in Karakoram
ranges.
River Chenab and River Indus in
Himalayas.
River Swat and River Kabul in Hindukush.
Melting snow from the glaciers give rise
to the water table.
As the rivers are in the upper course, so
the flow of the rivers is very fast.
Whatever comes in the flow of the rivers
like pebbles stones etc. are carried
forward and deposited in the reservoirs in
the form of silt.
Due to the deposition of silt the storage
capacity of reservoirs is decreasing.
TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
Himalayan Ranges
TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
Lake Saif ul Muluk Lake Satpura
ke Saif ul Muluk located in Kaghan Valley and Lake Satpura near Skardu are examples of Cirqu
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS
Severe climate / very cold below freezing
point.
Precipitation in the form of snow.
Blizzards.
Too cold to grow food / for agriculture.
Land frozen / covered by snow.
Forced to stay at home and adopt indoor
activities e.g., carpet making.
No transportation / often cut off by snow.
Need to stockpile food / fuel.
Limited water supply due to water freezing
in pipes.
Danger of avalanches.
Land sliding.
LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES:
Nomadic to semi-nomadic lifestyle is common. Terrace farming is practiced where wheat,
Transhumance is practiced at higher altitude. rice, barley, maize are grown.
Apple, apricot, grapes and peach orchards are
Construction of Karakoram highway
common here. improved the standard of living by way of
During winters in-house cottage industry of
Pak-China trade activity.
carpet making, embroidered materials and other Basic health and educational facilities are
handicrafts becomes very common. absent and repeated earthquakes (e.g., 8th
Tourists and mountaineers are attracted, and Oct earthquake) further add to the
tourism industry is well-developed. difficulties of the local people.
Some additional income comes from
lumber(tree cutting) industry.
Animal rearing is the main profession.
LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES:
International Tourists
Terrace Farming
Cottage Industries
Sheep rearing
IMPORTANCE OF NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
Snow capped peaks melt during summer to drain water into
river Indus and its tributaries which irrigate vast Indus plain.
Historical passes connect Pakistan to China and
Afghanistan.
A natural border to China and Central Asian Republics. A
land route through Karakoram highway has been opened to
carry out trade.
A source of valuable minerals, timber and fruits.
Provides raw material to several industries e.g., furniture
etc.
Scenic beauty promotes tourist resorts which are a source
of income to local people during summer.
Mountain peaks provide protection to Pakistan against the
cold winds from Central Asia. The temperature does not go
below freezing point over the upper Indus plain and climate
remains tolerable throughout the year.
