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 Location, Population and Area |
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The Islamic Republic of Pakistan borders Iran on
the west, India in the east. Afghanistan in the North-West, China in the north
and the Arabian Sea on the south. Its total area is 803.950 Sq.Km with a population
of 128 million. As a predominantly Muslim state, Pakistan emerged on the world
map on 14 August 1947, as a result of the partition of the Indian Sub-continent
following the withdrawal of the British. This year Pakistan celebrates its 50
years of Independence.Pakistan
as a tourist destination Pakistan is a special interest destination. Its main attractions include adventure tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as found in Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harrappa, and early Muslim and Mughal heritage of Multan, Lahore. For centuries, the ancient Silk Road remained the main trading route between the South and the Central Asia. After the construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) along the same alignment, which joins Pakistan with the Chinese Muslim autonomous region of Xinjang, the ancient trade link has been revived. The KKH has provided a great opportunity for |
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| international travelers to explore the unspoiled natural beauty, unique culture and traditions of the Northern Pakistan together with other Silk Route destinations like China, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. | |
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Primary Attractions |
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Unique
Mountains, Valleys and Glaciers: Northern areas of Pakistan,
spread over 72,496 sq. Km. are fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering
snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1000 m to over 8000 meter, the valleys
of Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns in this
region are as interesting as its topography. The people with typical costumes,
folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi provide the traveller an
unforgettable experience. Nowhere in the world there is such a great concentration
of high mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except Pakistan. Of the 14 over
8000 peaks on earth, 04 occupy an amphitheatre at the head of Baltoro glacier
in the Karakoram range. These are: |
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There is yet another which is equally great, that is:
at the western most end of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7000m and hundreds which are over 6000 m. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region;
The lower Himalayan valleys of Swat, Kaghan and Chitral in the Hindukush range equally share the beauty and diverse culture of the Northern Pakistan. |
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Nature
And Adventure |
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From the mighty stretches of the Karakoram's in
the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus river in the South, Pakistan
remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white
water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and
yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching, are a few activities which entice
the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan. Pakistan is endowed with a rich and varied flora and fauna. High Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of Vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world’s smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pigmy shrew, to the largest mammal ever known; the blue whale. |
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Indus
Valley Civilization |
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The Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak from
the 3rd till the middle of the 2nd millennium BC Discovered in 1922, Moenjodaro
was once a metropolis of great importance, forming part of the Indus Valley
Civilization together with Harrappa (discovered in 1923), Kot Diji and recent
discovered in Mehr Garh (Baluchistan). Moenjodaro is considered as one of the
most spectacular ancient cities of the world. It had mud and baked bricks’ buildings,
an elaborate covered drainage system, a large state granary, a spacious pillared
hall, a College of Priests, a palace and a citadel. Harrappa, another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, was surrounded by a massive brick wall fortification. Other features and plan of the city were similar to that of Moenjodaro. The Kot Diji culture is marked by well-made pottery and houses built of mud-bricks on stone foundations. |
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Gandhara
Heritage |
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| Gandhara remains had once been the hallowed centre of Buddhism, the cradle of the world famous Gandhara sculpture, culture and learning. The archaeological remains found in Taxila, Peshawar, Charsadda, Takht Bhai, Swat Valley, and rock carving &* inscriptions along the ancient Silk Route (Karakoram Highway) has well recorded the history of Gandhara. Lying in Haro river valley,. Taxila, the main centre of Gandhara, is over 3,000 years old as it had attracted the attention of the great conqueror, Alexander in 327 BC, when it was a province of the powerful Achaemenian Empire. It later came under the Maurian dynasty and reached a remarkable matured level of development under the great Ashoka. Then appeared the Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The Kushan dynasty was established in about 50 A.D. during the next 20 years, Taxila, Peshawar and Swat became a renowned centre of learning, philosophy, art and trade. Pilgrims and travelers were attracted to Gandhara from as far as China and Greece. In 5th century AD, the White Huns snuffed out the last of the successive civilizations that held unbroken sway in this region for several centuries. | |
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Mughal
& Early Muslim Heritage |
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| Pakistan is a treasure-house of Muslim architecture. Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan is situated along the bank of Ravi river. The city has witnessed rise and fall of many dynasties like Gaznevis (1021-1186), Ghoris (1186-1202) and Slaves (1206-1524) before arrival of the Mughals. The city was conquered by Babur of Ferghana (now in Uzbekistan), the founder of the Mughal dynasty (1524-1764). All the important monuments like the Royal Fort, Badshahi Mosque. Wazir Khan’s Mosque, Tombs of Jehangir, Asaf Khan, Noor Jehan, Anarkali, the Shalimar Gardens and Hiran Minar etc., were constructed during this period. On the other hand, the shrines, mosques and forts located in and around Multan and Bahawalpur are master pieces of Muslim architecture. Some important buildings are; Forts at Multan and Derawar (Bahawalpur), shrines of Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria, Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Hazrat Shams Tabrezi at Multan and Tomb of Bib Jiwandi at Uchh Sharif near Bahawalpur. | |
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Accessibility |
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| Many international Airlines have regular flights to Karachi linking Pakistan with the rest of the world. Islamabad and Lahore have flight from Bangkok, Dubai, Beijing, Urmuqi, London, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, New York, Paris and Jeddah. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has linked major cities and tourist destinations through daily flights. | |
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| Source: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. www.tourism.gov.pk | |
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