Gilgit-Baltistan is located to the northern part of Ladakh territory of India. Pakistan is located to the west. Tibet autonomous region and Xinjiang are located to the east. Tajikistan and Afghanistan are located to the northern part of the Gilgit -Baltistan region. It was part of Ladakh wazarat in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. After the partition of India, Jammu and Kashmir were merged with India, Tribal militia of Pakistan occupied this region with the help of some Brtish military officers. It is under the occupation of Pakistan. It was administered as the northern territory under the Federal Government of Pakistan. It is renamed as Gilgit -Baltistan region with its capital at Gilgit town. A legislative assembly was established by a Presidential order of Pakistan to represent the local population in governance and law-making for this region. The area of this region is 72971 sq.km. This region consists of mountains-l--000 and deep narrow valleys. This region is administered by a Governor and a council of advisers. This region is divided into three divisions as Gilgit, Baltistan and Diamer. The Gilgit Division is divided into four districts as Gilgit, Ghizer, Hunza and Nagar. The Baltistan Division is divided into five areas as Skardu, Shigar, Rondu, Ghanche and Kharmang. The Diamer Division is divided into five districts as Diamer, Astore, Tangeer, Gupis -Yasin and Darel.
Islam is the main religion of this region. In the past Buddhism and Hinduism were popular in the Gilgit -Baltistan region. Many ancient monuments are found linked to Buddhism and Hinduism. Islam came to this region after it entered Afghanistan and central Asia. Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries were destroyed by invaders from Afghanistan and Central Asia. This region is dominated by Shia Islamic people. Migration of Sunni Islamic people to this region started after it came under the administration of Pakistan. The Gilgit -Baltistan region is populated by various groups like Shins, Yashkuns, Pamiris, Pathanas, Kashgaris, Koshistanis and Baltis. The official language of this region is Urdu as per the Government order. But the local people speak languages like Shina, Balti, Burushaki, Khowar, Wakhi, Posto, Domaaki and Ladakhi.
Polo is a prevalent sport among the youths of this region. Youths also take interests in cricket, football and volleyball. Mountaineering is getting popular due to the flow of tourists to see the mountain peaks of this area. Education is given top priority by the local people. The literacy rate is more than 72% as per the estimation of 2018. Schools are established in most parts of this region. Colleges are established in Skardu and Gilgit towns. This region has three universities. These are Karakoram International University,( Gilgit) Alma Iqbal Open University ( Gilgit) and University of Baltistan ( Skardu). Communication is a major problem in this region. Karakoram Highway was constructed in this region with the help of China. This highway connects Kashgar in China with Gilgit in this region. Other places are connected with local highways and connected to Gilgit and Skardu. Gilgit. Skardu and Diamer are connected with Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Two airports are developed at Gilgit and Skardu and connected with regular flights to Islamabad. China Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through this region. Pakistan leased out the Sakshgam valley of this region to China for construction of a highway. The Siachin glacial region is under the control of India.
Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is located near the confluence of Gilgit and Hunza river, and It is located along the old silk route. Gilgit was a centre for Buddhism in the past. It is said that great Buddhist Monk Padma Sambhaba spent some time in a monastery near Gilgit after his long stint in Tibet. Karakoram Highway passes near Gilgit. The rivers like Indus, Gilgit and Hunza formed the valley of Gilgit. The Gilgit area has a cold desert climate. It gets scanty rainfall. Summer is hot and brief. Temperature goes up to 40-degree Celcius. Winter temperature goes down to -10 degree Celcius in January. The entire area is affected by landslide and avalanches regularly. The mountain slopes have very scanty vegetation.
The valleys are moist and have some vegetation. The Gilgit -Baltistan region is located at the junction of Karakoram Mountain Range, Hindukush Mountain Range and Western Himalayan Mountain Range. Karakoram and Hindukush ranges are more or less barren and lack any visible vegetation patches. The Western Himalayan range has some vegetation cover closer to Kargil and Skardu. Species like Juniper and Betula are found sparsely on higher altitude. Pine trees are found on hill slopes and hillocks. Oak species are found along foothills, riversides and lakesides. Ferns are found along lower mountain slopes. Herbs are also visible on riversides and lakeshores. Local people used to cultivate rice and wheat on small patches. Foothills are planted by fruit species like walnut, apple, apricot, almond, peaches and honeydew melon. Deosai National Park is located in the Baltistan region.
It extends towards Ladakh. It is one of the highest Alpine plains. It has an area of 3000 sq. Km. The park is home to snow leopard, ibex, blue bear and wild horse. Some massive glaciers are found in this region. These are Baltoro glacier, Biafo glacier, Chogo Lungma glacier and Siachin glacier. The peaks and glaciers get snowfall throughout the year. The town of Skardu is located at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers. It was the gateway to Ladakh via Kargil. Skardu is the main town and administrative centre of the Baltistan region. It has moderate summer and harsh winter, Summer temperature goes up to 27-degree Celcius. Winter temperature goes down to -24 degree Celcius. Rainfall is scanty due to obstruction of monsoon by the Himalayas. Skardu valley is formed by glacial and river sediments. This area is less prone to seismic activities and regular tremor as compared to Kashmir valley and other adjoining areas. This valley is 40 km long and 10 km wide. This region attracts many tourists in the summer season. Some beautiful lakes like Kachura, Shangrilla, Naltor, Devsai, Rama, Rush and Borti lakes are found closer to Skardu. This area is termed as heaven on earth.
Gilgit-Baltistan region has some important mountain passes used for travelling through the steep mountain terrain. Famous passes are Khunjerab pass, Mintika pass, Kilk pass, Chilling pass, Shimshal pass, Chapriot pass, Ghujerab pass, Naltor pass, Talmutz pass and Chapchingal pass. Some of the highest peaks of the world are found in this region. The second highest peak K2 is located in this region. Other prominent peaks are Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum, Broad mountain, Muztag tower, Hidden peak, Saltoro Kangri and Chogo Lisa. Snow clad peaks and lakes are the major attraction for tourists in this region. This region gets maximum snowfall in winter months. Several rivers and streams formed due to melting of snow and flow along the valleys of this mountainous region.
Indus river is the principal river of this region. It originates near Mansarovar lake in Tibet and enters the Ladakh region. It goes into Baltistan near Kargil and flows through this region before entering to Pakistan after crossing the Diamer district. Gilgit river is the tributary of river Indus. It originates near Sandur lake and flows through the district of Gilgit and Ghizer. It covers 240 km and joins Indus river near Jugiot. Ghizer river is the tributary of the Gilgit river. It originates near a glacier in the Ghizer valley. Hunza river originates near Khunjerab to the north of Karakoram range. It flows through the Hunza valley and joins Gilgit river after crossing 190 km of length. Hunza valley is the source of many small and medium rivers. This valley is located to the north of Gilgit bordering Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan and Xinjiang province of China. This area is very beautiful with its mountains, lakes, rivers and green orchards. Shimshal river also flows in Hunza valley. It originates near Kanjustan Massif located to the north of Karakoram range. It joins the Hunza river near Baltit. Other small rivers are Chapursain, Ghuzerab and Nagar. All the rivers of this region are perennial due to supply of water from the glacier throughout the year. Inland fishery is a major activity for local people along with agriculture, horticulture, livestock and handicraft. The lifestyle of people is natural, and people have longer life expectancy due to the excellent climate, clean air and clean natural water. Many people looked younger even in their old days.
Gilgit-Baltistan region was formed due to the orogenic movement in the earth crust. The formation of this region is associated with the formation of Himalayan Mountain Ranges. A collision of the Asian Plate and Indian Plate is the primary cause of formation of Himalayan Mountain Ranges. This region is believed to be formed in the Jurassic and Cretaceous period. The estimated age of formation may be 200 million years. Igneous and metamorphic rocks are mostly found in this region. Sedimentary beds are also found in valleys. Gneiss, Amphibolite, Schist, Peridotite, Quartzite and Slates are found in many places. Intrusions of Granodiorite and Pegmatite are also found in some places. Gabro, Basalt and Ultramafic rocks are found in pockets. Granitic intrusions were observed in three phases during the late Cretaceous, Eocene and Miocene period.
The mountain slopes are unstable due to the presence of weathered Schist and Gneiss. Granitic rocks are found along foothills and valleys. Granitic rocks are storehouses of important minerals in this region. This region is blessed with rich deposits of valuable minerals like Gold, Uranium, Copper and Molybdenum. Industrial minerals like Gypsum, China clay and Feldspar are found in some patches. Marble and Serpentine are also found in some places. Precious stones like Topaz, Emerald, Peridote, Morganite and Tourmaline are also collected by local artisan miners. Uranium deposits are located in Hunza, Nagar and Ghizer district. Uranium deposits are also found in Bonji, Shigar and Skardu area. Copper deposits are found in Astore district. Around 5000 sq.km area is converted into regular and artisan mining. Large scale unscientific mining by mafias created environmental hazards like the regular landslide in many parts of this region. Illegal mining resulted in revenue loss and promoted militia in this region.