History and Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan was brought into being at the time of the historic partition of British India, in response to the demands of Muslims of the Subcontinent. All India Muslim League under the leadership of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, India's Muslims want representation only in their own country. The Pakistan was created on 14th August 1947. Pakistan is located in an important geographical position. The area of Pakistan is 769,096 sqkm. It has common borders with Iran (900km) to the West and Southwest with Afghanistan (2400km) to the northwest, China (520km) to the northeast and India (2900km) on its east side.
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| History of Pakistan |
The Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan is located in a strategically important region. It is the centre of global interest. For all the big powers like China and Russia, it is important. The U.S. maintains an interest in keeping an eye on both China and Russia.
It is at the gateway of central Asian Muslim States through Afghanistan. On the other side of it is the outer region of the Gulf region having rich oil resources and economic wealth. Pakistan has close brotherly ties with these states. Now the pipelines of oil and gas are planning to be passed through Pakistan. It will be a new start of economic cooperation in the region.
The location of Pakistan in the continent of Asia, It covers 770,875 square kilometres of land and 25,220 square kilometres of water, which gives its location great significance. The Geography of Pakistan is a blend of landscapes varying from plains to deserts, forests, hills, and plateaus ranging from the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea near Makran and Karachi in the south to the mountains of the Karakoram range in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north. The map of Pakistan.
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| Map of Pakistan |
Geography Land Boundaries and Neighborhoods
Geography and the People
Pakistan was comprised of two wings when it came into existence on 14th August 1947, East Pakistan separated in 1971. Post 1971 or present Day Pakistan is located in the northwestern part of the South Asian Subcontinent. It has maintained its distinctiveness in the subcontinent Indus Valley civilization is as old as 2500-1600BC. The archaeological heritage of Harapa and Mohenjodaro is clear evidence of this fact. Arians first came to this land followed by Islam and Muslims from central Asia and Afghanistan. Muslim rule continued for about one thousand years. Then the downfall of the Muslim empire paved the way for British Rule which ended with the formation of two independent states of India and Pakistan.
Location
Pakistan is located 24-37 degrees North latitude 61-75 degrees East longitude of the globe.
Territory
Its area is 796,096 Kilometers
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Provinces Territory percentage
Balochistan 347.2 43.61
Punjab 205.3 25.81
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 74.6 9.4
FATA 27.2 3.4
Islamabad 0.9 0.1
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Diversity like territory
North and Northwest It includes the Mountains of the Himalayan range, Korakuram and Pamirs which include some of the highest peaks like K2 Naga Parbat etc.
West Balochistan plateau is about 1000 feet in elevation with dry mountains crossing it from the northeast to the southeast, here very little rainfall occurs
Indus Plans: The main agricultural region in the middle of the Indus Valley
The Potohar plateau is there in the East of the upper Indus plains
In the southeast of the Indus, plains are deserts Thal, Cholistan Thar.
Climate
The climate of Pakistan is diverse
North, Northwestern Mountains have an extremely cold winter but mild summer
The Indus plains are extremely hot in summer but cold and dry in Winter
Coastal regions have temperate climates There are some variations within each region
Four Seasons in different areas
Summer: May to September
Winter: November to February
Spring: March to April
Autumn: September to October
Rain
It varies from region the main rainy season is the Summer i.e. Monsoon
Population
Pakistan has a large population. The growth rate recorded over 3 per cent from 1970 to early 1990. Now declined due to a number of measures by the Government but still, it is higher as compared to the other countries of the region, a census is taken every ten years.
1951, 1961, 1972, 1981, 1998
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Year Population (million) Annual Growth per cent
1951 36.2 ---
1961 46.2 2.80
1972 65.3 3.10
1981 84.3 3.06
1998 130.6 2.61
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In 2006 the population was estimated to be over 160 million.
Important Features of the Population
More than 50 percent population is under the age of 21. A large part of this population is dependent
Add to this people over 65 years
About 30 percent population lives in Urban areas
Why migrations to Urban areas, Education, jobs, facilities etc
Impact of Urbanization, Poor civic conditions, education, health, housing, town, planning etc
Provincial Population
Punjab 56-57 percent
Sindh 23 percent
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 14 percent
Balochistan 5.3 percent
Low literacy rate: The official literacy rate is 46 per cent but the functional literacy rate is even lower.
Women's literacy rate is much lower in certain areas of Balochistan women's literacy is nominal to non-existent.
Why population figures are important. for planning and development, socioeconomic development poverty alleviation etc
