Pakistan's Geographical Location and Significance

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the geographical coordinates, borders, economic significance, and political importance of Pakistan's location as described in the lecture material.

14th August 1947

The date Pakistan emerged on the map of the world as a sovereign state following the partition of the Indian sub-continent.

Absolute Location

The exact location of a place identified by its latitudinal and longitudinal positions, which does not change.

Pakistan's Absolute Location

Located between latitudes $24^{\circ} 35'$ north and $37^{\circ} 05'$ north, and longitudes $61^{\circ}$ east to $78^{\circ}$ east.

Relative Location

The position of a place in relation to its surrounding places or geographical features.

Total Area of Pakistan

$796,096\,square\,km$, stretching over $1600\,km$ from north to south and about $885\,km$ from east to west.

Durand Line

The $2611\,km$ border between Pakistan and Afghanistan located to the west.

Wakhan

A narrow strip of Afghan territory in the north-west that separates Pakistan from Tajikistan.

Provinces of Pakistan

The four administrative divisions: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Khyber Pass

A mountain pass that provides a land route to Afghanistan to the north and north-west.

Karakoram Highway

A communication route that makes travel between Pakistan and China easier through the northern mountain ranges.

Pakistan's Seaports

Karachi, Bin Qasim, and Gwadar, which serve the country and landlocked areas to the north and north-west.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

An economic corridor connecting Kashgar in China with Gwadar in Pakistan through motorways, railways, pipelines, and bridges.

Arabian Sea

A valuable geographical feature providing natural harbors, fishing grounds, and access to international trade routes to the Gulf States and Africa.

Jinnah Terminal, Karachi

An international airport and refueling stop for ships that is a central position for east-west air routes, though currently underused.

Indus Plain

An area providing fertile land and water resources that support the country's agriculture.

Kashmir

A region that is the subject of long-standing issues between Pakistan and India, affecting their border relationship.

Geo-strategic Importance

A term describing a location that is useful for both political and economic reasons, such as Pakistan's role in world affairs and international organizations.

Sustainable Development Issues

Environmental problems caused by resource overuse, including soil erosion, waterlogging, salinity, loss of forest cover, and overfishing.

Silk Road and Grand Trunk Road

Ancient routes that once encouraged the movement of traders, scholars, and invaders, establishing Pakistan as a meeting place of cultures.