Geography of Pakistan1

8/2/2019 Geography of Pakistan1

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GEOGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN

GLOBAL LOCATION OF PAKISTAN

Globally, Pakistan has a very strategic location. Strategic means having some military securityissues or challenges. These challenges are global.

HOW DO WE STUDY A MAP?

1. Longitude

2. Latitude

3. Altitude

4. Key

5. Compass

To study a map, we have to learn how to read the directions on a compass. The compass forms

a circle of 360 degrees consisting of North, South, East and West directions. These are further

divided to North East and South East and North West and South West.

PAKISTAN ON THE MAP (REFER TO PAGE 49)

Due North of Pakistan is Ex Russia- the Asian central Muslim states

On the North East of Pakistan lies China

India is towards the East of Pakistan

India also found towards the South East of Pakistan Pakistan has the Arabian sea on the south

Iran on the South West

Afghanistan on the West and North West

PAKISTAN SHARES BORDERS WITH

INDIA (SOUTH EAST AND EAST)

AFGHANISTAN (NORTH WEST AND WEST)

IRAN (SOUTH WEST)

CHINA (NORTH EAST)

EX RUSSIA (DUE NORTH)

ARABIAN SEA (SOUTH)


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RELATIONSHIP OF PAKISTAN WITH THE COUNTRIES IT SHARES BORDERS WITH

IRAN- The boundary with Iran, some 800 kilometers in length, separates Iran from Baluchistan.

In 1957 Pakistan signed a frontier agreement with Iran, and since then the border between the

two countries has not been a subject of serious dispute.

AFGHANISTAN- Pakistan's boundary with Afghanistan is about 2,250 kilometers long. In the

north, it runs along the ridges of the Hindu Kush (meaning Hindu Killer) mountains and the

Pamirs, where a narrow strip of Afghan territory called the Wakhan Corridor extends between

Pakistan and Tajikistan. The Hindu Kush was traditionally regarded as the last northwestern

outpost where Hindus could venture in safety. The boundary line with Afghanistan was drawn

in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand. This boundary, called the Durand Line, was not in doubt when

Pakistan became independent in 1947, although its legitimacy was later disputed by the Afghan

government as well as by Pakhtun tribes straddling the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

CHINA- From the eastern end of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, a boundary of about 520

kilometers runs generally southeast between China and Pakistan, ending near the Karakoram

Pass. By mutual agreement between the two countries, a new boundary treaty is to be

negotiated between China and Pakistan when the dispute over Kashmir is finally resolved

between India and Pakistan.

INDIA- the Pakistan-India cease-fire line runs from the Karakoram Pass west-southwest to a

point about 130 kilometers northeast of Lahore. This line, about 770 kilometers long, was

arranged at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48. The cease-fire line came into effect

on January 1, 1949, and has been generally known as the Line of Control.

The Pakistan-India boundary continues irregularly southward for about 1,280 kilometers,

following the line of the 1947 Radcliffe Award on the partition of Punjab and Bengal in 1947.

Although this boundary with India is not formally disputed, passions still run high on both sides

of the border.

INSIDE OF PAKISTAN

ECOLOGY (PAGE 50)

Ecology is a system which is based on the introduction of the elements of nature. These

elements are:

1. LAND- which includes lands plateaus and mountains2. CLIMATE- which includes sunshine, rain, temperature, winds, air pressure. Climate is

effected by landscape

3. SOIL- the type of soil is a result of climate and land


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4. NATURAL VEGETATION5. HUMAN ACTIVITY- this includes agriculture, fertilization, foresting, mining and Industry

Pakistan is known to have river ecology.

RELIEF MAP OF PAKISTAN (PAGE 51)

Relief means land forms. These landforms are divided into:

1. RIVERS- this includes rivers plus its tributaries2. MOUNTAINS3. PLAINS

MOUNTAINS

The mountains of Pakistan are above sea level. Mountains are found in the North and the North

West and in the West of Pakistan.

TYPES OF MOUNTAINS

The mountains of Pakistan are known to be young fold mountains. These are known to

be young, because they have been formed relatively recently in the earth's history,

compared to older mountain ranges according to the geological period. The geological

period is in millions of years. This period is also called the tertiary period.

FORMATION

The rocks present in the sea were compressed and twisted into Fold Mountains. Sea has

sedimentary deposits. These sedimentary deposits are soft rocks. They compressed withthe old hard rocks. These soft rocks exert pressure and compress the centre which in

return formed mountains. This formation rose into three thrusts and three parallel

ranges.

The rocks here are sedimentary deposits. These are new and soft rocks. There are about

70 types of sedimentary rocks from which three are found in Pakistan. These are:

1. Shale - clay

2. Sandstone sand (mineral)

3. Limestone Lime (mineral)

MOUNTAINS OF PAKISTAN IN:

1. THE NORTH AND,2. THE NORTH WEST3. WEST


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NORTHERN MOUNTAINS

HIMALAYAS

We have already covered the type, formation, rock structure and geological age of Himalayas.

SLOPE

They are higher in the North and lower in the South

STRIKE

Strike of the mountain is east west. Strike is the direction Mountains are pushed towards.

HEIGHT

4500 meters above sea level

The HIMALAYAS are divided into

GREATER HIMALAYAS

LESSER HIMALAYAS

SUB/SIWALIKS/ FOOTHILLS OF HIMALAYAS

1. GREATER HIMALAYAS

The highest range of Himalayas lie in the greater range called the Karakoram Range

which is 4500 meters above sea level.

2. LESSER HIMALAYAS

The highest ranges of the lesser Himalayas are the Gulliats and Murree which are

2400- 4500 meters above sea level

3. SUB HIMALAYAS

The highest ranges of the sub Himalayas are the Margalla and Hazara Hills.

DRAINAGE OF HIMALAYS

Drainage means rivers. The water drains from Himalayas in the form of large rivers (the Indus

River and its tributaries). These carry large volumes of water because the water comes fromheight. These heights give glaciers which melt down and go to the river.

COMMUNICATION PASSES

All mountain ranges have natural passes. These passes do not allow frequent communication

due to weather conditions.


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HIGHEST PEAKS

OUTSIDE PAKISTAN MOUNT EVERST HIGHEST PEAK

INSIDE PAKISTAN K2 SECOND HIGHEST

NANGA PARBAT THIRD HIGHEST

THE NORTH WESTERN MOUNTAINS

The north western corner is called the Pamir knot. From this knot the Himalayas run eastwards

and the Hindu kush runs southwards

TYPE, FORMATION and ROCK STRUCTURE is the same as the Himalayas

STRIKE

The strike of these mountains is North/South

SLOPE

The slope of these mountains is also North/South

HEIGHTS

These mountains are lower than the Himalayas. Their highest peak is Tinch Mir (7700 meters

above sea level)

DRAINAGE

Kabul River flows from these mountains. The Kabul River is a Perennial River. Also the Western

tributaries of Indus River flow through these mountains.


These mountains are at great height therefore they are not open for communication.

WESTERN MOUNTAINS

The Western Mountains are a series of ranges.

1. SUFAID GOH (TORAH BORAH)

2. WAZIRISTAN HILLS (NORTH AND SOUTH)

3. SULEMAN RANGE

4. CHAGHI MOUNTAINS

5. KIRTHAR RANGE


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SUFAID GOH

These mountains are low but rise steeply into high peaks. They are called Snow Mountains as

their peaks are very high. They are spotted with natural caves and tunnels.

WAZIRISTAN HILLS

The Waziristan Hills are lower than Sufaid Goh.

SULEMAN RANGE

Suleman Mountains form a border between Sindh and Baluchistan. The highest peak of these

mountains is called Takht- e Suleman.

CHAGHI MOUNTAINS

These are the highest mountains in the region. Nuclear was tested on this mountain.

KIRTHAR RANGE

These are the lower hills. They have a strong ecology, therefore they are declared National park

and involve no human intervention.

DRAINAGE

Western mountains are drier and lower. Drainage in these mountains is seasonal. The seasonal

streams flowing from these mountains are Khurram, Tochi and Gomal.


These mountains have passes since these ranges are lower. Therefore the passes are

communicable. They also have significance in history.

BALUCHISTAN PLATEAU

Plateau is an area with a high flat land. It is basically a mountain with a wide, flat top.

North of the Baluchistan Plateau lies the Chaghi Mountains

East of the BP are the Suleman Mountains

South of the BP is the Makran Coastal Range

And West of the BP is the Iranian Plateau


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SLOPE

The slope of the mountain is North to West. This slope is gentle from North to South (key

concept)

CENTRAL BALUCHISTAN PLATEAU

This is treverssed by parallel ranges of Suleman Mountains. In this area the drainage is inland

(KEY CONCEPT). This means where the water does not go in the sea, but stays in land. This

water accumulates to form lakes. Baluchistan is a very dry area and evaporates water leaving

behind salt. The largest of these lakes is the Hamoon- e- Mashkal Lake.

SALT RANGE

Salt Range is located between the Jhelum and Indus River just below the foothills of Himalayas.

Salt range raises from the Punjab planes. It rises to a height of more than 2400 meters above

sea level. This rise is very steep (almost like a wall).

FORMATION

Salt range was formed during the initial thrust of the tertiary mountain building stage. This

initial stage was the hardest push resulting in the highest range. It contained all the treasure

chest of natural resources including minerals (sea minerals). (KEY CONCEPT- Initial thrust and

Natural Treasures)

DRAINAGE

Soan River is drained from the Salt Range which is a Broad Valley and provides minerals.

POTWAR PLATEAU

The Potwar Plateau starts from the salt range . Potwar Plateau has bad land topography (Key

Concept)

INDUS PLAIN

1. INDUS UPPER PLAIN

EASTERN AND LEFT (4 MAIN RIVERS)

WESTERN AND RIGHT (SEASONAL RIVERS)

EASTERN AND LEFT PART OF THE INDUS PLAIN

This part of the plane is drained by the four main rivers. It is spanned by the four main

tributaries. These are perennial rivers (throughout the year).


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SOURCE

High glaciers

FORMATION

It is formed by the Indus River and its tributaries. They erode soft rocks of Himalayas. Over the

geological time, there used to be sea where the Indus Plane now lies.

CHEMISTRY OF THE INDUS PLAIN

Sedimentary Rocks would be present (shale, limestone, and Sand Stone). There would be no

limestone as the limestone will be dissolved. There would be clay and sand. Lime Stone will be

washed away with water. This chemistry is called Leached Soil.

Upper Indus Plain is divided by the river. The land between the rivers is called Doab. This is a

local word. There are four Doabs. The first one is between Sutluj and Ravi and called the Bari

Doab. The second one is between Ravi and Chenab called the Rachna Doab. The third one is

between Chenab and Jhelum called the Chej Doab. The fourth one is between Jhelum and Indus

called the Sindh Sagar Doab.

Each of these Doabs have a micro relief (refer to the map on page 51)

1. Active flood Plain: Plain that gets flooded

2. Old flood Plane: This is slightly higher than the Active flood Plain.

The area between the two flood plains is called bar upland. This is the most settled land.

The leach soils are called sandy loams.

WESTERN BANK OF INDUS PLAIN OR THE RIGHT BANK

The western side is narrow bounded by the Western Mountains.

DRAINAGE

The western tributary (Kabul River) is perennial and joins Indus. The three rivers (Kurram, Tochi,

Gomal) flow down from the western mountains which are lower and cover shorter distance.

They do erosion which is less than he Northern Mountain Rivers. This erosion is of stony soil.

Deposit in a fan shape (alluvial fans). This plain is dotted with alluvial fans. The three rivers are

seasonal. These fans are deposited at the confluence of the Indus River.


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TRANS INDUS PLAIN

The slope is North to South and is gradual. This gradual slope is called the gradient. The

gradient of the upper Indus Plane is one mile to one foot. Upper Indus Plain is all of Punjab and

Khyber Pakhtoonkhwan.

LOWER INDUS PLAIN

LOCATION

It occupies all of Sindh province, and lower parts of Southern Punjab

DRAINAGE

It is drained by one mighty Indus River. It carries more water and is stronger. It carries

combined water with all of Eastern and Western Tributaries. The gradient of the lower Indus

plain is less than 1 mile to 1 foot. And this gradient is almost flat. This mighty Indus River travels

through meander (zig zag) plain. The river keeps changing its course and the whole area is

called the Meander plain.

HEART OF THE LOWER INDUS PLAIN

The eastern side of the Lower Indus Plain is expansive and is part of the Rajhistan Desert. This

part has sandy soil

The western bank of the Lower Indus Plain is narrow because of the Suleman Range. It has very

fine alluvial soil and is a mixture of sand and clay having more clayey loams.

DELTA INDUS PLAIN

Delta is the mouth of the river when it joins the sea. The river makes a triangle making

distributaries of the river water. The land becomes flat. The Delta Plain is made up of

completely clayey loams.

This can be divided into two parts (upper and lower). The upper land is extremely fertile. The

lower is clayey and forms swamps. Swamps are made up of the fresh and saline water. This is

the perfect area for mangroves. The land is completely flat.


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CLIMATE (PAGE 53)

Weather conditions of a longer time period form the climate.

ELEMENTS OF WEATHER

TEMPERATURE

AIR PRESSURE

WINDS

RAIN FALL

These elements interact with each other and form weather conditions.

1. TEMPERATURETemperature is the condition of the sun measured in degrees of Celsius and Fahrenheit

scales. In the case of Pakistan, the temperature is divided into three categories.TROPICAL

This is where the sun is strongest. The climate of Pakistan is named Tropical monsoon

climate. The main characteristics are summer, winter, rainy and dry.

REFER TO PAGE 52

Twin peaks are a very particular feature of the monsoon climate.

TEMPERATURE REGIONS OF PAKISTAN

Mean Monthly temperature (JULY)

July is the month right after the hottest months. The shading in map 53 shows

temperature, more the shading, the more the temperature.Sibbi and Jacobabad are the hottest place in Pakistan in Asia and in the world. These are

located at the border between Sindh and Baluchistan. In the middle of Sindh and

Baluchistan plateau, 600 meters above sea level. Therefore up till 600 meters the

temperature is not changing or falling. Baluchistan Plateau is also hot summer/ mild

winter area. There is a pillar of hot air till 600 meters. This becomes like a pole with hot

and cold air which becomes the thermal pole which is reason for it to become the

hottest place in the world, in Asia and in Pakistan.

2. AIR PRESSURE (PAGE 55)Pressure is the force applied through the weight over land measured in millimeters persquare foot.

Air is in the atmosphere. This is gaseous and these gases have weight. This atmosphere

is dense or heavy (more air) towards the land and as we go up in the air it becomes

lighter. Dense means more air. Air pressure is very closely related to temperature.

SUMMER- TEMPERATURE + AIR + WINDS


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Land is hot. The hot air rises up and becomes lighter and develops low air pressure. This

happens in peak seasons (May/June). In June, the adjoining sea is cooler so the pressure

is high in the sea. The high pressure starts blowing from high pressure to low pressure

areas.

Wind is the movement of air horizontally. Wind moves horizontally from high pressureareas to low pressure areas. Wind is carrying evaporated water therefore it is moist and

will bring rainfall in July and August. These winds are called monsoon winds.

WINTER

During winter land is cold and sea is warm. High pressure winds move to low pressure

areas. These winds are dry and are called the winter monsoon.

3. WINDSSUMMER

The winds in summer are the monsoon winds.

ORIGIN

Wind is the movement of air horizontally. Wind moves horizontally from high pressure

areas to low pressure areas. Wind is carrying evaporated water therefore it is moist and

will bring rainfall in July and August. These winds are called monsoon winds.

DIRECTION

In summer, the winds are blowing from sea to land. The compass direction is southwest.

(PAGE 57)

STRUCTURE (PAGE 58)

Law of nature applies as a micro and macro system. Macro system is generalized. Micro

system involves the regions separately. There are two winds coming from the land and

the ocean. One wind is moist whereas the other is not. These winds do not clash but

form a tropical cyclone which involves a circular system (air moves horizontally from

outside and inside). Monsoon current carries a tropical cyclone that originates at the

equator and therefore the rainfall of tropical cyclone is extremely heavy.

BRANCHES

ARABIAN SEA

BAY OF BENGAL

RAINFALL is strong and comes in the form of heavy downpours.

BAY OF BENGAL

The monsoon winds enter Bengal and bring very heavy rainfall in Bengal then move

towards low pressure areas including Pakistan. These winds enter Pakistan from the

North Eastern corner and move Eastwards and Westwards. They being maximum

rainfall in the North East of Pakistan which then decrease the rainfall while entering


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South and West Pakistan. 80 percent of Pakistani rainfall comes from the Bay of

Bengal.

ARABIAN SEA

Sind is part of a hot desert thus it has very hot wind. When the hot wind enters Sind,it becomes dry wind and do not bring any rainfall because of the inversion of

temperature over Sind and Baluchistan and the thermal pole. If this is broken than

the result is very heavy rainfall and floods. They bring 20 percent of the rainfall in

Pakistan.

4. RAINFALLMonsoon rainfall in summer comes from monsoon winds (origin).

BRANCHES

Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

WINTER SEASON

MONTHS

November/March and coldest months are December/January.

TEMPERATURE

Mild and Cold

PRESSURE

Land pressure is high

Sea pressure is low

DIRECTION

Dry winds from land to sea therefore there is no rainfall from winter rainfall.

WINTER RAINFALLS

The winter rainfall comes from the western disturbances or depressions (they are

storms formed in different conditions). They travel from West (the Mediterranean Sea

or Gulf) and enter Pakistan from the West. Rainfall is in the form of snow on mountains

and rainfall on lands decrease from West to East and North to South. The winter rainfall

is not called monsoon rainfall as it comes from the western disturbances. Winter

Disturbances starts from February and their direction are from West to East. They are

dry strong winds.

CONCLUSION

Why are we studying climate?

USE OF CLIMATE

Temperatures in Pakistan are tropical. This means that they are useful for growing

crops. In summers, the eastern half of Pakistan receives more rainfall. Winds come from

the North East.


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The western disturbances however are coming from the West. And therefore there is

more rain on the western side of Pakistan.

Rainfall had low efficiency because the rain comes as monsoon rainfall as heavy down

pours.

REASONS1. Run of rate is high because the rain comes from Tropical Rainfall.

2. Pakistan experiences Tropical temperatures therefore there is high rate of evapo

transporation (from the soils and plants.

Winter rainfall comes from Western disturbances. They are in the form of drizzles.

The soil absorbs this rain which is essential to grow winter crops.

AGRICULTURE

LAND

Indus Plain

The climate and land gives us the human activity of agriculture. This is called farming. (Indus

Valley Civilization age old agriculture). Half of Pakistan is Indus Plain. The soil in that region is

alluvial. We also call these loams (mixture of sand and clay). This land is very fertile (sand-

porous, drained sands and Clay- non porous, and absorbs water)

These loams become well drained soil. This soil is rich in minerals and has deficient in humus

cover. Humus is the organic matter in the soil (decayed plantation, roots, branches and leaves

and decayed animals). The organic matter is in the form of gaseous matter which is

nitrogenous. This makes the soil very fertile.

In the Indus Plain the temperature is tropical therefore cops can grow throughout the 12

months of the year. Two types of crops are grown per year.

SOURCE OF WATER

The source of water is rain and snow. The efficiency of water is low. Water is a limitation factor

and can be overcome by perennial rivers. The humus covers are being overcome by the use of

traditional fertilizers (cow dunk)

24 % of the national income is due to agriculture

48 % of the force

34 % of the total area is cultivable.

Out of this, the largest acreage is in Punjab which is two/third of the cultivable area.


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REASONS

1. Alluvial Soil

2. Plains

3. Climate

4. People and growing usage

Baluchistan had the lowest acreage. The source of water there are the narrow seasonal stream

valleys.

REASONS

1. Rugged topography

2. Lack of population

3. Irridity

1/3 rd of the Punjab area is cultivable in Sindh

of Sind area is cultivable in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwan.

AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMY

Farming is named after the output.

1. Arable farming Crops

2. Domesticated Farming

SYSTEM OF FARMING/ AGRICULTURE

The system of farming is called subsistence farming which is a traditional farming system. Food

crops are grown by the farmer in order to make his family survive. Survive means no extra. This

means no investment back in the system therefore the output is small. Thus he is a poor

farmer. The input is small.

INPUTS

1. Land

The land is a small holding. Uneconomic holding. The inputs are not equal to the output.

2. Labor

Labor is done by the family therefore the sons are preferred.


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FARMING METHODS

Farming methods used are traditional. These methods are slow and inefficient. Less work is

required and therefore the output is small.

There are two crops in the farming year.

1. RABI CROPRabi Crop is the winter crop. It is sown in the beginning of winter (October- November)

and harvested in the end of winter (March- April). This is food crop (wheat).

2. KHARIF CROPKharif crop is the summer crop. It is sown in the beginning of summer (April- May) and

harvested towards the end of summer (September- October). The crops grown are

cotton and rice.

WHEAT

35 % of the crop land

COTTON 12 % of the crop land

RICE- 9 % of the crop land


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