• Bangladesh!

    Bangladesh: Traditional houses. Go Now!

    Bangladesh
    This low-lying country has historic ties to India and Pakistan, but today maintains a wholly unique culture. Explore Bangladesh!

  • Indonesia!

    Indonesia: Lombok. Go Now!

    Indonesia
    This archipelago nation is culturally diverse from big cities to isolated islands. Begin Your Journey!

  • Jordan!

    Jordan: Petra. Go Now!

    Jordan
    Tucked away in this Middle Eastern country, the famed city of Petra (pictured) links the past to the present culture. Explore Jordan!

  • Mongolia!

    Mongolia: Desert. Go Now!

    Mongolia
    This vast country has a culture that spans past and present... a nomadic life shifting to a modern & sedentary society. Begin Your Journey!

  • Kyrgyzstan!

    Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Mountains. Go Now!

    Kyrgyzstan
    The mountains, including the Tian Shan Mountains (pictured), give Kyrgyzstan a unique culture, partially formed from this isolation from the mountains. Go Now!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Pakistan

WARNING: Terrorist threats continue in Pakistan, please read this travel warning before going!

Geography

Pakistani Geography - Mountains
Mountains

Pakistan is a large country that sits between South Asia and the Middle East. It borders the Arabian Sea on its south side. Its land borders include Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the northwest, China to the northeast, and India, which shares a long border and history with Pakistan.

In Pakistan's far northeast are the Himalaya Mountains and from this point to the Arabian Sea in the southwest, the country experiences a decline in elevation as a number of rivers, most notably the Indus River flow. It's these river plains where most of the population lives. In Pakistan's northwest there are some smaller mountains and in the southeast there is a desert.

Weather

Pakistani Geography - Karachi
Karachi

Pakistan's weather varies primarily by elevation and season. Along the southern coast temperatures are tropical with a couple distinct seasons. The monsoon or rainy season lasts from about July to September, while the rest of the year is quite dry along the coast as temperatures rise and dip from about 55-90° F (13-32° C) from the coldest to the hottest months. Moving north the seasons become more distinct and influential. A dry winter (December-February) can range from temperatures in the 30s° F (-1-4° C) to 50s° F (10-15° C) in the towns just below the mountains. These northern parts of the country also experience the monsoon, but then have great variations between these two seasons. The capital of Islamabad has average lows of about 40° F (5° C) in the winter to average highs of about 100° F (38° C) in the summer.

Wildlife

Pakistani Geography - Nanga Parbat Mountains
Nanga Parbat Mountains

Pakistan is a large country with great geographic variety, making it an ideal home for a large number of animals. Among the large mammal population are lynx, sheep, marmots, bears, wolves, deer, ibex, leopards, boars, rhinoceros, donkeys, gazelles, and numerous smaller mammals like mice and other rodents. One mammal found in the southern rivers is the dolphin, but this is just the start of the country's sea life. The rivers, particularly the Indus River, along with the Arabian Sea are home to thousands of animals. These waters are filled with catfish, shrimp, sharks, and thousands more fish and shellfish.

The bird life in Pakistan is also significant as there are many species that migrate through the region and many more than live there year-round. The pheasant, falcon, culture, pelican, crane, osprey, kingfisher, owls, partridges, and flamingos are all present. There are various reptiles, including turtles, snakes, lizards, and crocodiles and a number of amphibians as well, including numerous frogs.

This page was last updated: November, 2013