Climatic Zones of Pakistan

Vocabulary terms and geographical facts regarding the four main climatic zones and major landmarks of Pakistan.

Pakistan Latitude Range

The country covers the latitudes from $24^{\circ}N$ to $37^{\circ}N$.

Temperatue/Terrain Ratio

About $3/5$ of Pakistan's area is mountainous terrain and plateaus, while the remaining $2/5$ is level plain.

Highland Climate Zone

A region dominating Northern, North-western, and Western Pakistan with mountain altitudes ranging from $4,500$ to $6,000\,m$.

Arctic Climate

The climate found on mountain peaks in the Highland zone where temperatures remain below freezing all year.

Western Depressions

A source of rainfall for the western part of the Highland climate zone.

Highland Winter Temperatures

Seasonal temperatures in the highlands that typically range from $-2^{\circ}C$ to $-10^{\circ}C$.

Highland Valleys (KPK)

Includes Peshawar, Bannu, Kohat, Neelum, Hunza, Swat, Naran, and Chitral.

Highland Valleys (Balochistan)

Includes Quetta and Ziarat.

Lowland Climate Zone

Region consisting of the Indus Plain, characterized by an arid climate with hot summers and cool winters.

Indus Plain Elevation

The plain is higher in the north at approximately $300\,m$ and lower in the south near the coast at approximately $75\,m$.

Aandhi

Dust storms occurring during the summer in the Lowland zone; early ones signal the monsoon, while autumn ones signal winter.

River Indus

A river approximately $3,180\,km$ long that, along with its tributaries, formed the Indus Plain over millions of years.

Indus Tributaries

The four main rivers that join and flow into the Indus: Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum, and Chenab.

Coastal Climate Zone

A region running along the Arabian Sea dominated by sea breezes with a mean temperature of $32^{\circ}C$.

Pakistan Coastline Length

The total length of the coastline spanning Balochistan and Sindh is $1,058\,km$.

Makran Coastal Highway (N10)

The highway that runs from Gwadar to Karachi along the coast.

Karachi Port

A deep natural harbour used for international trade since the late 19th century, handling about $1,600$ ships annually.

Port Qasim

Established in 1973 to serve Pakistan Steel Mills, it handles about $40\%$ of Pakistan's shipping.

Gwadar Port

Built on a 'hammerhead' headland and developed jointly by Pakistan and China; management was handed to China in 2013.

Mangrove Forests

Vegetation at the Indus Delta and Balochistan coast that provides wildlife habitat and protects land from tsunamis and salinity.