Pakistan Studies 2059/02

Complete Study Guide - Environment of Pakistan

1. Location of Pakistan

Geographical Coordinates

Latitude: 24°N to 37°N

Longitude: 61°E to 76°E

Neighboring Countries

  • East: India (≈3,323 km border)
  • West: Afghanistan & Iran
  • North: China (via Karakoram, ≈596 km, Khunjerab Pass)
  • South: Arabian Sea (≈1,046 km coastline)

Strategic Importance

  1. Crossroads: Links South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, and China
  2. Maritime Access: Gwadar Port provides access to Indian Ocean trade
  3. Trade Corridor: Central to CPEC - shortest route for Central Asia to sea
  4. Transit Economy: Vital for landlocked Afghanistan
  5. Defense Buffer: Between major regional powers

2. Natural Topography of Pakistan

Pakistan is divided into seven major topographic regions:

A. Northern Mountains

Ranges: Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush

Features: Highest peaks (K-2, Nanga Parbat), glaciers, deep valleys

Importance: River sources, tourism, fruit farming

Problems: Inaccessibility, avalanches

B. Western Mountains

Ranges: Safed Koh, Waziristan Hills, Sulaiman, Kirthar

Features: Rugged, barren, important passes (Khyber, Bolan)

Importance: Minerals (copper), natural border

Problems: Arid, underdeveloped

C. Potwar Plateau & Salt Range

Location: Between Indus & Jhelum rivers

Features: Undulating land, Khewra Salt Mines

Importance: Oil fields (Attock), minerals

Problems: Erosion, low rainfall

D. Balochistan Plateau

Features: Arid, mountainous, inland basins (hamuns)

Importance: Mineral wealth (Sui gas), Gwadar Port

Problems: Water scarcity, poor infrastructure

E. Indus Plain

Subdivisions: Upper (Punjab) & Lower (Sindh)

Features: Fertile doabs, canal network

Importance: Agricultural heartland (65-70% population)

Problems: Flooding, salinity

F. Deserts

Major Deserts: Thar, Cholistan, Thal, Kharan

Features: Sand dunes, extreme climate

Lifestyle: Nomadic/subsistence farming

Problems: Water scarcity, poverty

G. Coastal Areas & Delta

Features: Indus Delta, mangrove forests

Importance: Fishing ports, ecosystems

Problems: Reduced freshwater flow

3. Climate of Pakistan

General Characteristics

Mostly arid to semi-arid with hot summers and cool/cold winters

Climatic Zones

Zone Areas Summer Temp. Winter Temp. Rainfall
Highland Northern & NW Mountains Mild-Warm (10-30°C) Very Cold (-5 to 9°C) Low (125-250mm)
Lowland Indus Plain (except coast) Hot (30-40°C) Cool-Mild (3-20°C) Moderate-High (250-500mm)
Coastal Sindh & Makran coast Warm-Hot (20-40°C) Mild (10-20°C) Low (125-250mm)
Arid Deserts (Thar, Kharan) Hot (30-40°C) Cool-Mild (3-20°C) Very Low (<25mm)

Factors Affecting Temperature

  1. Latitude: South (24°N) hotter than north (37°N)
  2. Altitude: Temperature decreases with height
  3. Distance from Sea: Inland areas have greater extremes
  4. Cloud Cover: Moderates temperature

Rainfall Sources

  1. Monsoon (July-Sept): NE Pakistan
  2. Western Depressions (Dec-March): NW areas
  3. Convectional (Summer): Local thunderstorms
  4. Relief Rainfall: Windward mountain slopes

Climatic Hazards

Floods: Caused by monsoon + glacial melt + deforestation

Droughts: Prolonged lack of rain + poor water management

📍 Interactive Map Practice

Pakistan Outline Map

Click on the regions to learn more:

Click any button above to see information about that feature

Map Practice Tips:

  • Memorize latitude/longitude: 24°N, 37°N, 61°E, 76°E
  • Practice drawing the outline of Pakistan
  • Mark all provincial capitals
  • Locate major rivers and their tributaries
  • Identify all mountain ranges and passes
  • Mark major dams and barrages

⚖️ Compare & Contrast

Upper vs Lower Indus Plain

Feature Upper Indus Plain Lower Indus Plain
Location Punjab Province Sindh Province
Rivers Five rivers (Indus + 4 tributaries) Mainly Indus River alone
Fertility Very fertile (alluvial soil) Less fertile (salinity issues)
Agriculture Wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton Rice, wheat, sugarcane, dates
Major Cities Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan Hyderabad, Sukkur, Karachi
Problems Waterlogging in some areas Severe salinity & waterlogging

Northern vs Western Mountains

Aspect Northern Mountains Western Mountains
Main Ranges Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush Safed Koh, Sulaiman, Kirthar
Height Very high (4000-8000m) Moderate (1500-3500m)
Climate Cold, snowy, glaciers Arid, less snowfall
Vegetation Coniferous forests Scrub vegetation
Economic Activities Tourism, fruit farming, handicrafts Limited farming, mining
Importance Water source, tourism Mineral deposits, border

Comparison Practice Questions:

Q1: Compare the lifestyle in Northern Mountains vs Deserts of Pakistan.

Q2: Compare the economic importance of Balochistan Plateau vs Indus Plain.

🔍 Explain with Reasons

Why is Northern Pakistan cooler?

Reasons:

  1. Higher Latitude: 37°N vs 24°N in south
  2. High Altitude: Mountains over 4000m
  3. Distance from Sea: Continental effect
  4. Snow Cover: Albedo effect reflects sunlight

Why do floods occur in Indus Plain?

Reasons:

  1. Monsoon Rains: Heavy concentrated rainfall
  2. Glacial Melt: Summer melting increases water
  3. Deforestation: Reduces water absorption
  4. Flat Topography: Slow water drainage
  5. Urbanization: Concrete reduces infiltration

Why is Thar Desert arid?

Reasons:

  1. Rain Shadow: Western Ghats block monsoon
  2. Distance from Sea: Reduced maritime influence
  3. High Temperature: Increases evaporation
  4. Low Pressure: Doesn't attract rain systems

Why is Gwadar strategically important?

Reasons:

  1. Deep Sea Port: Can handle large ships
  2. CPEC Terminal: China's BRI project
  3. Near Strait of Hormuz: Oil shipping route
  4. Alternative to Karachi: Less congested

Explanation Practice:

Q: Explain why most of Pakistan's population lives in the Indus Plain.