Astore District

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Astore District
Map of Northern Areas (Pakistan) with Astore District highlighted
Map of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, showing the six districts and tehsil boundaries
Area 5,092 km²
Population (1998)
 • Density		 71,666
 • /km²
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
Established
 • District Nazim
 • District Naib Nazim
 • District Council
 • Number of Tehsils
 • Mohammad Ramzan
 • 
 •  seats 
 • 2
Main language(s) Shina
Website [http://www.myastore.com/ www.myastore.com]

Astore is one of the six districts of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. The district contains the Astore Valley and is bounded to the west by Diamer District (from which is was separated in 2004), to the north by Gilgit District, to the east by Skardu District and to the south by Neelum District of Azad Kashmir and the North-West Frontier Province. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan the population was 71,666.[1]

Contents

[edit] The valley

Main article: Astore Valley

The Astore vally is located at 35° 2'20.30"N , 75° 6'36.91"E and has an area of 5,092 km² and an altitude of 2600m.

[edit] Accessibility:

Astore is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad(weather dependent) and by road with Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Skardu and Chitral. You can take a flight to Gilgit from the capital of the country and drive to Astore from Gilgit on metalled road.

[edit] History

According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, around 1600:

“ Ghāzī Mukhpun, a Persian adventurer, is said to have married a princess of the Skārdu reigning family. The four sons born of this union became Rās of Skārdu, Astor, Rondu, and Kharmang respectively, and from them are descended the families of the present chiefs of those places. The independence of Astor ceased at the Dogra conquest.[2] ”

[edit] Sub Divisions

[edit] Climate

Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the main valleys and up to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) in the mountains. In Mirmalik valley it snows up to 6 feet in February.

[edit] Languages

The main language spoken in the valley is Shina (also known as Tshina). Urdu, which is the National language of Pakistan, is the second most frequently spoken language. Since Astore has a history of modest tourist traffic in the summer months, local guides and police in Tarashing or Astore may speak some English.

[edit] Transport

There were some negative perceptions in past due to rough mode of transport but nowadays there are paved roads connecting Gilgit and Islamabad through the Karakorum Highway. Landslides and rockfall may be an issue in some areas of the Indus Valley. There is a permanent road through Gilgit as well as seasonal road access via Deosai Plateau to Skardu. Here you can obtain all types of vehicles (Jeeps, taxis, wagons, SUVs) and hire jeeps and SUVs at affordable prices. The most used vehicles are Jeeps and SUVs with a local preference for Pajeros and Landcruisers.

[edit] Places of interest

Astore lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of the far western Himalaya. Nearby peaks include Nanga Parbat, Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ 1998 Census of Pakistan
  2. ^ Gilgit - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 12, p. 239 According to the Imperial Gazetteer, which was compiled in the first decade of the twentieth century, the marriage took place over three hundred years ago
Administrative Divisions of Northern Areas (Pakistan) Flag of Pakistan
Capital Gilgit
Districts Astore | Diamer | Ghangche | Ghizer | Gilgit | Skardu