 |
Travel and Explore Pakistan
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is one of several countries located in South Asia, and the modern day boundaries of this ancient country are limited by, clockwise from the southwest: Iran, Afghanistan, China and India. To the south, Pakistan's coastline, which is over 1,000km long, borders both the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Pakistan is divided into eight regions, and its capital, Islamabad, is located in the area known simply as the Islamabad Capital Territory. Pakistan has had a checkered history and was, until 1947, seen as a part of British colonial India. After separating from India in 1947, East and West Pakistan co-existed until 1971 when East Pakistan seceded and gained independence as Bangladesh. Pakistan's official currency is the Pakistani rupee and, while English is the official government language, Urdu is the official national language.
Pakistan is known for being home to the majestic K2, the world's second highest mountain, and the Baltoro Glacier, the longest glacier on the planet that is not situated in an official polar region. The country also features a magnificent range of landscapes, which includes the Indus River valley in the south, the copper-rich Balochistan Plateau in the west, the huge subtropical Thar Desert in the east and the breathtaking mountain ranges in the north and northwest.
Pakistan's eight regions each have something special to offer the tourist and the local tourism industry continues to grow. Azad Kashmir may be both administered by Pakistan and claimed by India but this doesn't take away from its being the perfect place for trekking, mountain biking and rafting adventure holidays. Visitors to the region should look out for the ibex, Himalayan bears and Kashmir stags that call it home. Sindh province features the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mohenjo-daro, the "Mound of the Dead", which is all that is left of a once great Indus River Valley civilization.
Balochistan's attractions include the 770km long Makran Coastal Highway, where Alexander the Great once walked, as well as the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park where, it is said, over a thousand treasure hoards are buried. Punjab is the most densely populated of all Pakistani provinces, and highlights include the city of Multan with its many mosques and the provincial capital, Lahore. The North-West Frontier Province offers magnificent skiing at venues like the Malam Jabba Ski Resort, and its scenic Khyber Pass is the country's gateway to Afghanistan.
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas are not tourist-friendly, and most areas, especially Darra Adam Khel with its gun workshops , are off limits to foreign visitors. The autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan region, on the other hand, offers tourists some of the best mountaineering in the world as 18 of the world's 50 highest mountains are to be found here. Finally, the Islamabad Capital Territory offers tourists a glimpse of Pakistan's many faces as it is home to, among others, the Awan, Rajas, Dhund Abbasi and Dhanyal tribes.
Pakistan is the place to be for those tourists looking for the quintessential Southern Asian holiday experience. |
|
|
|
Not what you were looking for?
Search Google and Beachcomber Pete
|
|
|
|
Who in the World is Checking out ?
Beachcomber Pete
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for more
Beachcomber Pete
|
|
Periodic issues- Free advice and suggestions for making your next travel adventure more enjoyable.
