Districts of Northern Areas
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The Northern Areas (disputed part of the State of Jammu & Kashmir) under direct control of Pakistan, comprises six districts in two regions: the two Baltistan districts of Skardu and Ghangche, and the four Gilgit districts of Diamer, Ghizer, Gilgit (the union of Dardistan and Hunza states) and Astore (carved out of Diamer in 2004,Gilgit Wazarat - a former tribal territory). The main political centres are the towns of Gilgit and Skardu.
The Northern Areas region is home to some of the world's highest mountain ranges — the main ranges are the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. The Pamir mountains are to the north, and the Hindu Kush lies to the west. Amongst the highest mountains are K2 and Nanga Parbat, one of the most feared mountains in the world.
Many of the highest peaks in Pakistan like Baltoro Muztagh, K2 (8,611 m, highest in Pakistan and 2nd in the world), the Gasherbrums (7,932 - 8,080 m, ranked 3-6 in Pakistan and 12-17 in the world) and Masherbrum (7,821 m, 9th in Pakistan and 22nd in the world) etc lie in the Skardu District, but many high peaks like Distaghil Sar (7,885 m, 7th in Pakistan and 19th in the world), Kunyang Chhish (7,852 m, 8th in Pakistan and 21st in the world), Batura Sar (7,795 m, 10th in Pakistan and 25th in the world), Kanjut Sar (7,790 m, 11th in Pakistan and 26th in the world) and Rakaposhi (7,788 m, 12th in Pakistan and 27th in the world) are
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[edit] Gilgit District
Gilgit District is bounded by Wakhan Corridor (Afghanistan) in the north, Xinjiang (China) in the north / northeast, Skardu District in the south / southeast. Gilgit town is the capital of the Gilgit District.
The district includes Gilgit town, Naltar, Hunza, Gojal (Upper Hunza) and Shimshal. It also includes many small villages like Minapin, Hopar and Hispar etc. Haramosh valley, currently part of Gilgit district was previously part of Skardu district.
The highest peak in Gilgit District is Distaghil Sar (7,885 m) which is the seventh highest peak in Pakistan and 19th highest on earth.
[edit] Rivers in Gilgit District
Main rivers in Gilgit District are:
- Khunjerab River - flows south along the Karakoram Highway from the Khunjerab Valley, known as Hunza River in the south of Sust
- Hunza River - flows further south and falls into Gilgit River just in the northeast of Gilgit town
- Gilgit River - enters Gilgit District from west in the south of [[Bichhar Pass (Naltar Valley) and flows west through the Gilgit town.
- Indus River - enters Gilgit District from Skardu District about six kilomters north of Jaglot where Gilgit River falls into Indus River and the Indus flows south along the Karakoram Highway.
There are many tributaries of the above main rivers, some of which are Ghujerab River, Shimshal River, Hispar River and Naltar River.
[edit] Passes in Gilgit District
- Khunjerab Pass, Mintika Pass, Kilik Pass, Chillingi Pass, Shimshal Pass, Ghujerab Pass, Chapchingal Pass, Chaprot Pass, Naltar Pass and Talmutz Pass.
[edit] Lakes in Gilgit District
- Naltar Lakes
- Borit Lake
- Rush Lake (Rush Peak)
[edit] Skardu District
Skardu town is the capital of the Skardu District. Skardu was part of Ladakh in Indian J&K before partition of J&K in 1948. The Baltoro Muztagh (the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m)and Masherbrum (7,821 m) is included in the Skardu District. Askole is the last settlement in the district for all treks to Concordia (the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwen Austen Glacier). The Biafo Glacier and a major part of Hispar Glacier are also included in the Skardu District. The district also includes almost all of the Deosai National Park (second highest plains after Tibet).
Skardu is the district where Indus River enters the Northern Areas of Pakistan from the Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-controlled).
Other towns in the Skardu District include:
- Marol, Faranshat and Gultari near the line of control.
- Parkutta, Shigar, Niyil, Rondu.
The highest peak in Skardu District is K2 (8,611 m) which is the highest peak in Pakistan and the second highest peak on earth.
Hispar Pass and Gondoghoro Pass are also in the Skardu District. Some of the lakes in the district are Snow Lake, Satpara Lake, Sheosar Lake, Kachura Lake and Shangrila Lake.
[edit] Ghanche District
Ghanche District' written as [Gangche] by the locals, which means the 'great glacier', is the eastmost district of Baltistan. To its east is Leh district of Ladakh. northeast is Askai Chin (China), to north and northwest is Skardu District, to its west is Astore District and to its south is Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-controlled state). The line of control along the eastern most region of Ghanche District cuts through the Siachen Glacier and is not permanent because of the conflict (It has been proposed to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park).
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. Khaplu and Hushe valleys form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m)and Masherbrum (7,821 m) (all of which are included in the Skardu District).
The highest peak in Ghanche District is Saltoro Kangri (7,742 m) which is the thirteenth highest peak in Pakistan and the 31st highest peak in the world.
Some of the town in the district are Dubla Khan, Doghani and Lunkha.
Some rivers in the district are shyok River, Hushe River and Thalle River.
[edit] Ghizer District
Ghizer District is the westernmost district of the Northern Areas. It is bound by NWFP on three sides (north, west and south / south west), by Diamer District in the south / southeast and by Gilgit District in the east. A small strip of Ghizer District (roughly 35 x 12 km) is sandwiched between the NWFP and the Wakhan Corridor (Afghanistan). Gakuch is the capital of the Ghizer District.
The highest peak in Ghizer District is Koyo Zum (6,871 m) (Hindu Kush Range) which lies on the boundary of Ghizer District and NWFP.
Some of the main places in the district are Gulapur, Ishkoman and Yasin valleys. Other places include Gupis, Chatorkhand, Imit and Utz.
Some of the passes in the district are:
- Karumbar Pass, Chillingi Pass.
- Hayal Pass and Naltar Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Gilgit Districts).
- Bichhar Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Gilgit Districts).
The main river in the district is Ghizer River, which is known as Gilgit River in the east of Gupis town. Some of its tributaries include Karambar River, Ishkoman River, Phakora River and Hayal River.
[edit] Diamer District
Diamer District is the district where the Karakoram Highway enters Northern Areasfrom NWFP Pakistan. Chilas is the capital of the Diamer district. The Diamer District is bounded by Astore District in the east, NWFP in the south / south west (separated by Babusar Pass or Babusar Top), Ghizer District in the north / northwest and Gilgit District in the north / north east. The valleys of Darel Tangir which are currently part of Northern Areas are technically integral part of Pakistan and not linked to the dispute of J&K.
Before Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978, the only road to reach Gilgit town from the south was a rough track north from Balakot to Babusar Pass (via Kaghan, Naran, Besal and Gittidas) and further north through Babusar Gah to Chilas. The road upto Besal is in better condition but from Besal to Babusar Pass is still a rough track.
[edit] Astore District
Astore District was carved out of Diamer District. Earlier there were five districts of the Northern Areas, Pakistan. The capital of the district is Astore town and it includes the many villages in Astore valley.
The Astore District is bounded by Diamer District in the west and Skardu District in the east.
Some notable places in the district are Tarashing, Rupal, Rama Lake.
