Pak studies

• Discuss the nature and importance of major environmental hazards


  Describe the problems associated with the use and conservation strategies for water, land, natural vegetation and wild-life
• Pakistan is one of the large countries of South Asian region
• Pakistan has an area of 796096 km and a population of 207,774,520 according to 2017 census
• Pakistan is a federation comprising four provinces
• Islamabad, the federal capital of Pakistan, is one of the most modern and elegantly planned capitals of the world
• According to 3d June 1947 plan every area of the country became a part of Pakistan first and then it became a part of federation
• Pakistan lies between the latitudes of 23.45° to 37.05° north and between the longitudes of 60.50 to 77.50° east
• The land of Pakistan stretches over 1600 km north to south and it is about 850 km wide from east to west
• Pakistan


  Occupies a significant position in the region
• Pakistan's borders


  • 592 km long border with China in the north and north-east
  • Narrow strip of Afghanistan's Wakhan area separating Pakistan from Tajikistan in the north-west
  • 2250 km long Durand Line border with Afghanistan in the west
  • 850 km border with Iran
  • 1600 km long border with India
  • Arabian Sea in the south
• Importance of Pakistan's location

  • Surrounded by Russia, China and India - major world powers
  • Most of the world trade between east and west countries passes through Indian Ocean
  • Karachi and Gwadar seaports are considered very important ports of the region
  • Western powers attach great importance to Pakistan
  • Pakistan can provide transit trade to Afghanistan and Central Asian states
  • Pakistan commands the sea lanes from oil rich Gulf states to the Arabian Sea
  • Most of the air traffic between East and West uses Pakistan's airspace
• Factors responsible for determining climate

  • Location: Distance from equator, poles, sea and mountains
  • Altitude: Height above sea level
  • Air: Winds, cyclones, thunderstorms, dust storms, monsoon, air pressure, humidity
  • Other factors: Water courses, forests, soil properties, population density, industry, town planning, energy consumption
• Precipitation (rain, snow or hail) is indirectly related to the factors mentioned above
• Temperature zones in Pakistan

  • Highlands (Northern and North-Western Mountains Region)
  • Temperate Zone (Central and Eastern Plains)
  • Subtropical Zone (Southern Plains)
  • Coastal Zone (Arabian Sea)
• Highlands (Northern and North-Western Mountains Region)


  • Coldest region of the country
  • Mountain peaks remain snow-capped throughout the year
  • Mountains 4000 to 6000 meters high
  • Arctic climate with average temperature of minus 0°C
  • Valleys located at average altitude of 2000 meters
  • Winters sustain from 6 to 8 months