for students

1. PHYSICAL REGIONS
OF PAKISTAN

2. Different areas
of the Earth
resembling each
other with
reference to
their surface,
climate,
agricultural
production and
living standard
of people are
geographically
know as regions.

3. The important Physical
Regions of Pakistan
Pakistan is divided into five
parts of regions in
accordance with different
surface features and climatic
conditions.
1.Mountain Ranges
2.Pothwar and Balochistan
Plateau
3.Indus plain
4.Deserts
5.Coastal Areas

4. Mountain Ranges
The area mentioned on the
map of page 11 is coloured
in the dark brown showing
the north and north western
mountains of Pakistan. A
range of high mountains
known as the Himalaya
Mountains spreads over the
North of Pakistan. In the
north and north-west of it
the Karakoram and Hindu
Kush Mountains are located.

5. In Northern areas of
Pakistan, the
Karakorum Mountains
are stretched up to
Ladakh and Gilgit.
These are very high
mountains. The top of
these mountains are
covered with snow
during the summers
even. The second
highest peak in the
world, K-2, is located in
these mountains.

6. The Gilgit valley is located in
the Karakoram Mountains.
December, January and
February are the coldest
months. With the help of
neighboring country China,
Pakistan has constructed a
road in these high
mountains known as
“Karakoram Highway” or
“Silk Road”. The trade
between Pakistan and China
is increasing due to this
highway.

7. Murree and Hazara hills are located in the south of Northern hills. The
beautiful hill stations of Murree, Abbottabad, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Kaghan,
Swat and Chitral are located in these hills. These areas provide tourism
opportunities to the people coming from all over the country. The western
branches are comprised of Koh-i-Suleman and koh-i-Kirthar.

8. The hills of Koh-i-Suleman are
totally barren. Due to every
small amount of rain, the trees
are not found here. However,
shrubs and thorny bushes are
naturally grown that provide
fodder for the livestock.

9. In the south of Koh-i-Suleman, the koh-i-Kirthar is
stretched which separates Balochistan from the Sindh.
In order to cross the Koh-i-Suleman, there are many
natural paths which are known as passes. The famous
passes of these areas include Tochi, Goal and Bolan. In
this area, trade is possible through these passes only.

10. Plateaus
In Pakistan there are
only two plateaus:
I. Pothwar plateaus.
II.Baluchistan plateaus.

11. Potohar Plateaus The Pothwar
plateaus is located in
between river Jhelum
and Indus. The
Northern part of this
plateaus includes the
districts of Jhelum,
Chakwal, Rawalpindi
and Attock. The
surface of Pothwar is
cut apart due to
temporary small
streams and rainfalls.

12. The surface of
Potohar plateaus
is soft as well as
rocky. The small
hills are also
found here, so the
surface is not
suitable for crop
cultivation.
However, mineral
oil, gas, salt and
other types of
minerals are
found here.

13. The kohistan-i-Namak is located in the south of Potohar plateau. It starts from
western bank of river Jhelum and is stretched to district Bannu of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. These are low hills and consist of Jhelum, khushab Mianwali
districts. The second biggest salt mine in the world is located in his mountain
range known as “Khewra salt mine”.

14. Baluchistan plateau
Baluchistan plateau is located in
the west of Koh-i-Suleman and
koh-i-Kirthar. The surface of this
plateau is stony and sandy. This
range of barren hills is stretched
from North East to South West.
This area is very important for
minerals and from here copper,
potassium, natural gas and coal
are being extracted.

15. In the middle of this plateau, there
is a salt lake in which a few streams
and nullahs fall. The climate of this
region is dry and hot in the summers
and dry and cold in winters. Rainfall
is a rare phenomenon in this area.
However, where water is available
the fruit farming is done. The water
of springs is supplied to the orchards
and farms through karez (covered
water channel) system. In this area,
Ziarat in the famous health resort of
this area.

16. Indus plain
The vast
Indus plain
can be
divided
into two
parts:
I. Upper
Indus plain
II.Lower Indus
plain

17. Upper Indus plain The Indus plain starts from the eastern border
of Pakistan towards the Koh-i-Suleman in the west and is stretched to district
Bahawalpur in the south. The whole area is irrigated by river Indus, Jhelum,
Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej. It is almost a flat plain. This plain is formatted by the
fertile soil of rivers. In the Eastern areas of Punjab, the annual rainfall rate is low
that is not sufficient for the crop cultivation. However, the shortage of rainfall is
fulfilled by the construction of canals from these rivers. One of the best canal
networks of the world is found in the Indus plain.

18. Lower Indus Plain The southern part of
Punjab and most part of
Sindh is called lower Indus
Plain. This part is also flat.
The lower Indus plain is
irrigated by River Indus.
The northern part is
comparatively higher than
the southern part. Several
canals have been
constructed on the river
Indus near Guddu, Sukkar
and Kotri areas.

19. Lower Indus plain
is also made up
of soft and fertile
soil, but due to
limited rainfall
the land
remained
uncultivated for
long time and
forced the local
population to live
us gypsies.

20. Coastal Areas
Sindh and Baluchistan form
the costal line of the
Arabian Sea. The Coastal
plain is located on the shore
of Arabian Sea. The coastal
area of Pakistan is about
1000km long and comprises
of important Sea ports such
as Karachi, bin Qasim and
Gawadar. Most of the
people of coastal areas earn
their living through fishing.

21. Physical Regions
of Pakistan and
life of people

22. In plain areas,
the summer and
winter seasons
are at their
extreme. Major
profession is
agriculture.
People eat and
dress according
to the season.
These are
thickly
populated
areas.

23. The summers
are extremely
hot in desert
areas. During
day time, often
hot wind
blows and the
rainfall is
scanty. In
these areas,
people earn
their living by
breeding
animals.

24. In mountainous regions, winter
season is very cold and usually
snowfall takes place. The people
living in hot places visit hill
stations because of the cold
climate. The people of these
areas are employed in
professions like mining, livestock,
and hotel and tourism services.
These areas are also famous for
different types of fruits for
example, grapes, apple and pear
etc. These areas are full of
mineral resources.

25. Interdependence

26. Interdependence means people are dependent on one another to fulfill
their needs. It is said that man is a social animal and he has to rely on
others for his needs. Man’s social life is due to his interdependence. In a
society people are associated to various occupations like, growing
grains, knitting clothes, trading and industry. They all dependent on one
another.

27. Similarly, in our country,
people have various
occupations and are
dependent on one another.
In the world, some countries
are self-sufficient in minerals
resources like oil, gas and
agricultural products. This
uneven distribution of
resources is the cause of
interdependence.