Physical Geography
Earth's physical features and processes
The Earth's outer shell is broken into tectonic plates. There are three types of plate boundaries:
- Convergent — plates move toward each other. Creates mountains (Himalayas formed this way).
- Divergent — plates move apart, creating rift valleys or mid-ocean ridges.
- Transform — plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.
Weather is the short-term atmospheric condition. Climate is the long-term average over 30+ years. Karachi has a hot arid climate.
Pakistan's major rivers: Indus River — longest, originates in Tibet, flows through Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej — the five rivers of Punjab.
Pakistan's geographic regions:
- Northern Mountains — Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindukush
- Western Highlands — Balochistan plateau
- Indus Plain — fertile agricultural heartland
- Balochistan Plateau — arid, mineral-rich
- Coastal Areas — Makran Coast, Karachi
Key Points to Remember
- 1Plate tectonics
- 2Weather and climate
- 3River systems
- 4Pakistan's geography
Pakistan Example
Why Pakistan Has Earthquakes — Tectonic Plates at Work
Pakistan sits where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate. This created the Himalayas and Karakoram, and makes northern Pakistan earthquake-prone. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (7.6 magnitude) killed over 80,000 people — a direct result of this tectonic collision.
Quick Revision Infographic
Geography — Quick Revision
Physical Geography
Key Concepts
Why Pakistan Has Earthquakes — Tectonic Plates at Work
Pakistan sits where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate. This created the Himalayas and Karakoram, and makes northern Pakistan earthquake-prone. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (7.6 magnitude) killed over 80,000 people — a direct result of this tectonic collision.