The Geography of Pakistan

[Note: This information derives primarily from the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook.]

Basic facts

Location Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India and Iran
Map references: Asia
Area
- total area: 803,940 sq km
- land area: 778,720 sq km
- comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California

Land boundaries

total 6,774 km
Afghanistan 2,430 km
China 523 km
India 2,912 km,
Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km

Maritime claims

contiguous zone:24 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
territorial sea:12 nm

International disputes

status of Kashmir with India
border question with Afghanistan (Durand
Line)
water-sharing problems (Wular Barrage) over the Indus with upstream
riparian India

Climate

mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north

Terrain

flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west

Natural resources

land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Land use

arable land:23%
permanent crops:0%
meadows and pastures:6%
forest and woodland:4%
other:67% (1993)
Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992)

Environment

current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification

natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

Last modified 18 May 2001