Travel Guide OF Pakistan

Pakistan encapsulates great diversity, from hidden bazaars in the narrow streets of Rawalpindi to architecture that rivals the Taj Mahal in Lahore. It is a land enriched by friendly people and magnificent landscapes. Opportunity for adventure is as high as its great mountain ranges, with watersports, mountaineering and trekking all popular and rewarding activities.

Coupled with this is a profound sense of cultural concoction, Pakistan once being home to several ancient civilisations, and witness to the rise and fall of dynasties.

In ancient times, the area that now comprises Pakistan marked the farthest reaches of the conquests of Alexander the Great. It was also the home of Buddhist Ghandaran culture. It was the independence of India in 1947 that catalysed Pakistan's nationhood. Under pressure from Indian Muslims, the British created a separate Muslim state. Originally, it consisted of two parts, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now a single unitary state).

Following military rule and civil war, Bangladesh became independent, truncating Pakistan. Today, the long-running Indo-Pakistan conflict continues, with the status of Kashmir at its heart. Although it has a majority Muslim population, Kashmir became part of India in 1947. Pakistan's landscape is as fractured and unsettled as its history.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE NORTHERN AREAS

The northern areas of Pakistan is defined in general terms, covers areas Gilgit, Diam, Ghizer, Ghanche and Skardu.

Nature has equipped the area with high peaks and large glaciers are concentrated in a relatively small radius. Each district can boast of at least one lofty peak. K-2 with an altitude of 8,611 m (28, 416 ft) sits majestically in Skardu district overlooking the Chinese territory. Nanga Parbat, 8, 138 m (26,855 ft) high, is located in Diame while 7,788 m (25,700 ft) high Rakaposhi is located in Gilgit. Some 28 peaks in the area is over 20,000 feet tall.

Whereas, diam has no glacier worth mentioning, Gilgit, Skardu and Ghanche offer some formidable glaciers as Biafo, Baltoro and Siachin which is 72 km long and the largest in the world outside the poles.

Geopolitically it is the most sensitive area of ​​Pakistan. It touches Sinkiang in the north and Afghanistan in the northwest of Tajikistan close behind. On the south side there is a stretch of over 300 miles long ceasefire line with Indian-held Kashmir and Ladakh. With the opening of the Karakoram Highway, the northern territories acquired additional strategic and political importance.

The area is spread over 72,496 square kilometers. approximately the size of NWFP, with a current population of nearly 800,000 and a low density of 8 persons per square km. living in some 650 villages.

There are eight ethnic groups, namely, Baltis, Yashkuns, Moghal, Kashmiri, Pathan, Laddakis and Turks speak eight different languages, Shina, Balti, Brushiski, Khawar, Wakhi, Urdu, Pushto and Persian.

The four major religious sects are sunglasses, Shia, Ismaili and Noorbukshies. Sunglasses are mostly in Daim and Gilgit districts. The majority of Shiites are in Skardu and Ghanche districts. The Ismalies are mostly in Ghizer district in Hunza subdivision of Gilgit district.

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