Introduction : Countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka come under Indian subcontinent. These six countries share a common heritage of history and geography. In this chapter a brief description about Pakistan and Bangladesh is given.
PAKISTAN
Location and Area : Pakistan is located on the western side of India. It has Iran on the west, Afganistan on North-west, India on the east and Arbian sea in the south. Pakistan is our nearest neighbour.
It lies between 240N and 370N (Latitude) and 610E and 750E (longitude).
Pakistan has an area of about 8 lakh sq. km. and composed of West Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan, NWFP and a few tribal areas.
Physical Divisions : Pakistan has four following physical division :
(i) The Northern and Western Highlands : The Hindukush mountains of Himalayas range form a mountain belt in the north of Pakistan. Tirich Mir (7690m) is the highest peak of the Hindukush. The famous Khyber pass which has been a pass for people lies in this region. Other mountain are Sulaiman and Kirthar range. These mountains are in north-south direction.
(ii) The Baluchistan Plateau : Baluchistan plateau lies in the south-west of Pakistan. It is a dry and rocky plateau. It has little vegetation.
(iii) The Indus Plain : Indus plain is 2700 km long. It makes this country a fertile plain. The eastern Pakistan made rich by alluvial soil brought down by Indus river and its five tributaries.
(iv) The Thar Desert : Thar Desert is in the south-eastern part of Pakistan and continues into India.
Climate : Pakistan is very hot in summer and very cold in winter. The rainfall in summer is very low. Pakistan has a average rainfall less than 25 cm in a year. There is some rainfall in winter brought by the Western disturbances coming from the Mediterranean Sea.
Natural Vegetation : In plateaus, plains and deserts bushes, shrubs and coarse grasses are found. In mountainous area in the north and west temperate deciduous trees, coniferous trees and alpine vegetation is found.
Economic Development
(i) Agriculture : Rainfall in Pakistan is very low. Rivers and a developed network of canals make irrigation possible. Pakistan is called as the ‘Land of Canals.’ Mangla Dam and Tarbela Dam in Pakistan are very famous. Wheat, millets, cotton, rice, sugarcane and oil seeds are produced here.
(ii) Animal Rearing : People of Pakistan rear milch cattle. In this country sheep and goats are reared in dry Baluchistan Plateau.
(iii) Mining : Pakistan has some deposits of petroleum, coal, iron and copper. The gas fields of Sui is important. Salt deposits near Khewra are well known and important for this country.
(iv) Industrial Development : This country is not well developed industrially. It has cotton textile, woollen textile, chemicals, cement, sugar, paper, industries. Carpets, embroidered goods, pottery and handicrafts are also produced in this country.
Population : There are 135 million people in Pakistan. The density of population is 170 persons per sq.km. 90% people are Muslims, who follow Islam. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan
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