Geography of Pakistan: Topography

PAKISTAN: THE NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY

  • Topography: Study and description of land surface features.
  • Pakistan's Major Natural Topography Areas:
    • The northern and northwestern mountains (Himalayas, Hindukush, Karakoram).
    • The western mountains (Safed Koh range, Waziristan hills, Suleiman range, Kirthar range).
    • The Balochistan Plateau.
    • The Potwar Plateau and Salt Ranges.
    • The Indus Plain.
    • Desert areas (Kharan, Thar, and Thal deserts).

KARAKORAM RANGE

  • Location: North of the Himalayas, including Northern Kashmir and Gilgit regions.
  • Highest Peak: K-2, height 8611 meters.
  • Relief:
    • Average altitude: 6000 m.
    • Karakoram meaning: Black gravel.
    • Extends over 400 km from Hunza to Shyok River.
    • East-west direction with rugged landscape.
    • Features: Snow-covered peaks, valleys, gorges, cliffs.
    • Steep-sided peaks and deep, narrow valleys.
    • Cold winters with temperatures below freezing.
    • Precipitation: Snowfall at higher altitudes, rainfall at lower altitudes in winter.
    • Long, cold winters; mild, short summers.
    • Alpine forests.
    • Glaciers: Siachen (78 km), Biafo (62.5 km), Baltoro, Batura, Hispar.
    • Passes: Khunjerab, Karakoram.
  • Drainage:
    • Drainage: Total water runoff.
    • Main sources: Shyok River, Gilgit River.
    • Melting snow feeds water table.
    • Fast river flow due to upper course location.
    • Silt deposition decreases reservoir storage capacity.

HIMALAYAN RANGE

  • Location: Surrounds most of Pakistan to the north, extending up to Gilgit.
  • Meaning: "The house of ice."
  • Key Mountain: Nanga Parbat.
  • Relief:
    • Located south of the Karakoram Range.
    • Runs east to west.
    • Siwaliks (600-1200 meters) near Attock.
    • Lesser or Lower Himalayas (1800-4500 meters): Pir Panjal Range, Murree, Nathia Gali, Gora Gali.
    • Central or Great Himalayas (5000-8126 meters): Between Pir Panjal Range and Karakoram Range; Nanga Parbat (8126 meters), Rakhiot (7074 meters).
    • Snow-covered mountains, steep sides, narrow valleys.
    • Cold winters, mild summers.
    • Snowfall at high altitudes, rainfall at lower altitudes during summers.
    • Alpine and coniferous forests.
  • Drainage:
    • Main sources: Indus River, Chenab River.
    • Melting snow feeds water table.
    • Fast river flow in the upper course.
    • Silt deposition reduces reservoir storage.

HINDU KUSH RANGE

  • Location: Northwest of Karakoram Range; mostly in Afghanistan.
  • Highest Peak: Tirich Mir, height 7690 meters; Chitral and Dir are situated in this range.
  • Relief:
    • Located where Afghanistan and China meet on Pakistan’s north and northwest border.
    • Southwest of Karakoram Range.
    • Average mountain height: 5000 meters.
    • Runs north to south.
    • Highest Peaks: Tirch Mir (7690 meters), Noshaq (7484 meters).
    • Snow-covered peaks, steep sides, narrow valleys.
    • Passes: Khyber Pass, Lawari Pass, Shandur Pass.
    • Cold winters, mild to hot summers.
    • Temperature below freezing point.
    • Snowfall at higher altitudes, rainfall at lower altitudes during winters.
    • Alpine and coniferous forests.
  • Drainage:
    • Main sources: Swat River, Kabul River.
    • Warsak Dam on Kabul River: Irrigation, drainage, power generation.
    • Melting snow feeds water tables.
    • Fast river flow in the upper course.
    • Silt deposition reduces reservoir capacity.
  • Lifestyle & Economic Activities
    • Nomadic/semi-nomadic lifestyle common at higher altitudes.
    • Animal rearing is the main profession.
    • Transhumance practiced.
    • Small scale agriculture.
    • Warsak dam on Kabul River: Irrigation, drainage & power generation.
    • Mining practiced.
    • Primary, secondary, and tertiary industries exist.
    • Crops: Tobacco, wheat, rice, sugarcane.
    • Fruits: Apple, apricot, grapes, peaches.

GLACIERS

  • Glaciers are masses of snow on mountains.
  • Many glaciers are in the mountains of Pakistan.
  • Important Glaciers:
    • Baltoro: 58 km long, Karakoram Range.
    • Batura: 58 km long, Hunza Valley, Karakoram Range.
    • Siachen: 78 km long, Karakoram Range.

IMPORTANCE OF THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS

  • Historical passes connect Pakistan to China and Afghanistan, including the Karakoram Highway for trade.
  • Snowmelt irrigates the Indus Plain.
  • Source of minerals, timber, and fruits for industries (furniture, paper, chemical).
  • Protection against cold winds from Central Asia maintains tolerable climate in upper Indus Plain.
  • Scenic beauty promotes tourism, providing income for local people.

WESTERN MOUNTAINS

SAFED KOH

  • Relief:
    • Located south of the Kabul River.