Topography (the Karakoram range)

It is a ppt work on karakoram range (including economic activities and culture)

1. THE KARAKORAM RANGE

2. Location The Karakoram( black gravel) is a mountain range extending for more than 480 km. The Karakoram is the part of a complex of mountain ranges at the centre of Asia. It covers the borders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and India , in the regions of Wakhan corridor(Afghanistan), Gilgit(Pakistan), Ladakh(India) and Xinjiang(China).

3. The range runs east-west, has deep, narrow valleys, sharp peaks, glaciers and rivers forming a very rough landscape. The average height of mountains is about 6000 m.  The Karakoram is bounded on the northeast by the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, on the north by the Pamir Mountains and on south the three rivers Gilgit, Indus and Shyok separate it from Himalayas and Hindukush. It is home to world’s 4 out of 14 highest peaks that are over 8000 m.

4. K2 Karakoram is home to the world’s 2 nd most highest and famous peak known as K2 . It is 8611 metres high above the sea level. It is located on the China-Pakistan border. With 300 successful summits and 77 fatalities it is known as the world’s most dangerous peak.

5. Glaciers It is the most heavily glaciated part of the world outside the polar regions. 28-50% of the Karakoram Range is glaciated with a wide range of glaciers including Baltoro, Batura and Siachin etc. Siachin is the most famous glacier of karakoram range. It is the highest battlefield on earth. Siachin glacier 78 km long is the world’s second longest glacier.

6. Passes Karakoram range has a total of 7 passes but the famous one is the Khunjerab pass . It is the world’s highest paved international border crossing between China and Pakistan at the height of 4693 m. It is closed during winter season due to heavy snowfall.

7. Karakoram Highway Karakoram highway also known as national highway is a 1300 km long road which connects Pakistan to China from havelian(Pakistan) to kashgar (China). The highway is a popular tourist attraction, and is one of the highest paved roads in the world, passing through the Karakoram mountain range. Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed, it is often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

8. Climate The climate of the Karakoram Range is for the most part is semiarid and severe. The southern slopes are exposed to the moist monsoon winds but the northern slopes are extremely dry. The average temperature here in the warmest month is about 0 °C. The precipitation is mainly in the form of snow that leads to formation of snow hummocks three feet or more tall.

9. Population The severe climate of the region is hostile so it has low population density. The population of the Karakoram Range is concentrated in three towns; Gilgit and Skardu in the Northern Areas of Pakistan and Leh in the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir. The mountain dwellers are mostly muslims of different sectarian groups. There are six main local languages.

10. Most of population here is dependent on agriculture and cattle breeding. Crops here, are limited to wheat, barley, buckwheat, corn (maize), potatoes, and pulses which are grown on terraced fields. Tree crops, especially apricots and walnuts are an important local food source. Apples, barley and millet are the main products of this region.

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