GEOGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN

GLOBAL LOCATION OF PAKISTAN Globally, Pakistan has a very strategic location. Strategic means having some military security issues or challenges. These challenges are global. HOW DO WE STUDY A MAP? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Longitude Latitude Altitude Key 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)

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 mountains 2. 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

4. NATURAL VEGETATION 5. 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 tributaries 2. MOUNTAINS 3. 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 with the 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 WEST 3. WEST

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 from height. 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.

HIGHEST PEAKS OUTSIDE PAKISTAN INSIDE PAKISTAN MOUNT EVERST K2 NANGA PARBAT HIGHEST PEAK SECOND HIGHEST 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. COMMUNICATION PASSES These mountains are at great height therefore they are not open for communication. WESTERN MOUNTAINS The Western Mountains are a series of ranges. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. SUFAID GOH (TORAH BORAH) WAZIRISTAN HILLS (NORTH AND SOUTH) SULEMAN RANGE CHAGHI MOUNTAINS KIRTHAR RANGE

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. COMMUNICATION PASSES 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

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).

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.

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.

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. TEMPERATURE Temperature 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 per square 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

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 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. 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. WINDS SUMMER 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

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. RAINFALL Monsoon 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.

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. REASONS 1. 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 (sandporous, 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.

REASONS 1. 2. 3. 4. Alluvial Soil Plains Climate 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.

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 CROP Rabi 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 CROP Kharif 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