Chapter 2 Land and people of Pakistan------- Geography, Society, Natural resources, Agriculture, Industry and education with reference to characteristics, trends and Problems.

Chapter 2Land and people of Pakistan------- Geography, Society, Natural resources,Agriculture, Industry and education with reference to characteristics, trends andProblems.

What is Geography Geography is the study of Earths landscapes, peoples, places and environments. Today, geography is commonly divided into twomajor branches 1) physical geography.

2) cultural geography (also called human geography)

Cultural geographyis the branch of geography dealing with human culture and its impact on the earth. Cultural geographers study languages, religion, foods, building styles,urban areas, agriculture, transportation systems,politics, economies, population and demographics and more.

Physical geographyis the branch of geography dealing with the natural features of the earth, the home of humans. Physical geography looks at the water, air, animals, and land of the planet earth (i.e. everything that is part of the four spheres - the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere.) Physical geography focuses more on the landscapes at the surface of the earth and not what is inside our planet.

Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and physical geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of physical landscapes and the environment.Geography is, in the broadest sense, an education for life and for living.

Geography informs us about

The places and communities in which we live and workOur natural environments and the pressures they faceThe interconnectedness of the world and our communities within itHow and why the world is changing, globally and locallyHow our individual and societalactions contribute to those changesThe choices that exist in managing our world for the futureThe importance of location in business and decision-making

Geography of PakistanWhat should be learn?Pakistan locationNeighbors LandClimateEnvironmentPeople In short both physical and human geographyWhat could be asked on this topic?Geopolitical importance of PakistanAbout climate of Pakistan etcMap of pakistan

Location of PakistanPakistan is located at the epicenter of three important regions of Asia: Central Asia to the North, Indian subcontinent to the East and the Middle East to the West.Pakistan is located in South Asia.Pakistan is located between 23 degrees North to 37 degrees North Latitude and 61 degrees East to 77 degrees East Longitude.Geography of Pakistan is a mixture of landscapes varying from plains to mountains, desert to forest, plateaus to the coastal areas.

Area (total): 803,940 sq km (approx.)land: 778,720 sq kmwater: 25,220 sq km Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km (approx.)Border countries: Afghanistan, China , India, Iran Coast line: 1,046 km (approx.)Climate: mostly hot and dry Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Provinces Punjab Largest province having largest population percentage. Sindh Balochistan Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw Azad Kashmir

Mountains: K-2 , the second-highest peak of the world. The Himalaya Range The Karakoram Range The Hindu Kush The Suleman Range Natural Diversity

Rivers & Sea: The Indus The Sutlej The Ravi The Jehlum The Chenab The Kabul Arabian Sea at extreme South

Deserts: The Kharan Desert Located in Kharan District The Thal Located between Indus & Jehlum The Cholistan Spans an area of 16000 square kilometer. The Thar It is the seventh largest desert of the world and third one in Asia

Lakes: Saif-al-Maluk Dadi patsar Ansu Jheel Attabad Lake Hanna Lake Valleys: Chitral valley Kaghan valley Swat Kalam Valley Skardu Natural Diversity

Natural ResourcesPakistan is rich in natural resources. Coal: Huge reserves of coal are found in Sindh & Balochistan. Natutral Gas: There is a large number of Gas fields in Balochistan esp. in SUI Balochistan Salt mines: Khewra is the largest salt mine in the world. Other two salt mines are warcha & Kalabagh. Gold & precious metals: Gold deposits are found in Reko dik Balochistan. Furthermore, copper manganese & iron is also found there.Population The population of the country is a double faced phenomena is a vital factor in the development process on one hand while rapid population growth can impede development on the other.

Two aspects of population: (A) Quantitative (B) Qualitative

Quantitative population: the quantitative aspects of population includes statistics of total population, density of population, birth and death rates and migration.Qualitative population: The qualitative aspects refer to the ability and capability of the peopleTotal Population:170 million (approx.)

Nationality: Pakistani

Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Muhajir etc

Religions: Muslim 97%(Sunni 77%, Shis 20%), Christian, Hindu and others 3%

Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10 %; Pashtu 8%, Urdu (National) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2% Brahui 1%, English (official), Burushaski and others 8%

Literacy rate: age 15 and over can read and write

Total literate population: 48.7% (approx.)

Male: 61.7% and Female: 35.2% , (approx.)

Punjab is the most populous province with the population density of 333.5 persons per sq. Km followed by KPK 253.6 persons per sq. Km andSindh 212.8 person per sq. Km. Baluchistan has the least population density where only 18.8 persons live in a sq. Km.

Most Urbanized Areas

IslamabadSindhPunjabBaluchistanKPKLahore and Karachi are the thickly populated areas of Pakistan

Climate and Weather of PakistanPunjab and Sindh are very hot in summer and winters are pleasant.Climate divisions of Pakistan are:Highland: Northern areas (cold winters, mild summers and rainfall in all seasons)Lowland: Punjab (cool winters, hot summers, monsoon rainfall)Coastal: Makran and Surrounding areas (mild winters and warm summers.Arid: Desert areas(Mild winter, hot summers and extreme aridity)

Current Environmental Issues:

Water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff Limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to clean drinking water DeforestationSoil erosion DesertificationGlobal warming and climate change

Natural Hazards:

Frequent EarthquakesOccasionally severe especially in north and westFlooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July to August)

Government

Country name: Islamic Republic of PakistanGovernment type: Federal RepublicAdministrative division: Four provinces, one capital territory, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, Federally Administrated Northern Areas, the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir.

Pillars of the Government System Legislation, Administration, Judiciary Defense, Media

Political Pressure groups: military, ulema, landowners, industrialists and small merchants also influential

Export commodities: Garments, bed linen, cotton cloth and yarn, rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, carpets and rugs

Imports commodities: Petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea.

Currency code: PKRInternet country code: .pkT.V stations: 27 (approx.)International Air ports: 08Airports: 50 (approx.) Sea ports: 05 (Baluchistan),03 (Sind)Dry ports: 11Railway Stations: 34Agriculture in Pakistan

About 57% of Pakistan's total land area is under cultivation and is watered by one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. The most important crops are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, corn, pulses, oil seeds, barley, fruits and vegetables.

Fishing in Pakistan

Fishery and fishing industry plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan. With a coastline of about 1046 km, Pakistan has enough fishery resources that remain to be fully developed. It is also a major source of export earning.

Forestry in Pakistan

About only 5.2% of land in Pakistan is covered with forests. The forests of Pakistan are a main source of food, wood for domestic use, paper, fuel wood, rubber, medicine as well as used for purposes of wildlife conservation and tourismMining in PakistanThe Salt Range in the Potwar Plateau has large deposits of rock salt.

Pakistan has extensive mineral resources, including fairly sizable reserves of gypsum, limestone, chromites, iron ore, rock salt, silver, gold, precious stones, gems, marbles, tiles, copper, sulfur, fire clay, silica sand.