Geography of Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan is an administrative territory of Pakistan in the northern part of the country. It was given self governing status on August 29, 2009. Gilgit Baltistan comprises 14 districts within three divisions. The four districts of Skardu Kharmang Shigar and Ghanche are in the Baltistan Division, four districts of Gilgit Ghizer Hunza and Nagar districts which were carved out of Gilgit District are in the Gilgit Division and the third division is Diamir, comprising Chilas and Astore (which was carved out of the Diamir District in 2004). The main political centres are the towns of Gilgit and Skardu. Gilgit Baltistan is home to some of the world's highest mountain ranges. The main ranges are the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. The Pamir mountains are to the north and the Hindu Kush lies to the west. Amongst the highest mountains are K2 (Mount Godwin Austen) and Nanga Parbat, one of the most feared mountains in the world. Many of the highest peaks in Gilgit Baltistan, such as Baltoro Muztagh, K2 (Mount Godwin Austen) (8,611 m), the second highest mountain in the world), the Gasherbrums (7,932 8,080 meters, ranked 12 17 in the world), and Masherbrum (7,821 m), 22nd highest in the world), lie in the Skardu District. Other high peaks are Distaghil Sar (7,885 meters, 19th highest in the world), Kunyang Chhish (7,852 meters, 21st highest in the world), Batura Sar (7,795 m), 25th highest in the world), Kanjut Sar (7,790 m), 26th highest in the world), and Rakaposhi (7,788 m), 27th highest in the world.

The Gilgit District is bounded by the Wakhan Corridor of (Afghanistan) in the north, Xinjiang (China) in the north and northeast, Skardu District in the south and southeast. The capital of the Gilgit District is Gilgit town. The district includes Gilgit City, Nomal Naltar, Danyore, Jalalabad, Bagrote, Oshikhandas, Minawar, Parri, Juglote and Haramosh Valley. The Haramosh valley having eight villages i. e. Hanuchal, Shota, Sassi, Daso, Hurban, barchy, jutiyal, and khaltaro, currently located within the Gilgit District, was previously located within the Skardu District. Gojal (Upper Hunza) Gulmit Gojal is the last tehsil there and (Sost) is the last stop of (Pakistan). Sost is the place where (Pak China Dry Port) is located near a village (Hussainabad). The highest peak in the Gilgit District is Distaghil Sar (7,885 m), which is the 19th highest mountain in the world.

The Diamir District is where the Karakoram Highway enters Gilgit Baltistan from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The capital of the Diamir District is Chilas. The Diamir District is bounded by the Astore District in the east, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the south and southwest (separated by the Babusar Pass or Babusar Top), the Darel District on the west, the Ghizar District in the north and northwest, and the Gilgit District in the north and northeast. Before the Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978, the only road to Gilgit town from the south was a rough track north from Balakot to Babusar Pass (via Kaghan, Naran, Besal, and Gittidas) and further north through Babusar Pass to Chilas. The road up to Besal is now in better condition. Darel valley the oldest civilization of whole gilgit baltistan. There is a Buddhist University in muhallah Phuguch.

The Astore District was carved out of the Diamir District in 2004. Before that date, Gilgit Baltistan was composed of five districts. The capital of the Astore District is Eidgah, which includes many villages in the Astore Valley. Astore district formerly comprised the area of Gilgit Wazarat. The Astore District is bounded by the Diamir District in the west and the Skardu District in the east. Some notable places in the district are Tarashing, Rupal, and Rama sar Lake.

The Ghanche District ("Ghanche" means the 'great glacier' and is written as "Gangche" by the local people) is the easternmost district of Baltistan. To the east is the Leh District of Ladakh (under administration of India). To the Northeast is Xinjiang (China), to the north and northwest is the Skardu District, to the west is the Astore District, and to the south is the Indian territory of Ladakh. The Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) at the easternmost part of Ghanche District is located across the Saltoro Ridge. The Line of Control along the easternmost region of the Ghanche District ends before the start of the Siachen Glacier (entirely under control of India) at NJ9842. There has been a proposal made to turn the Siachen Glacier region into a peace park. The capital of the Ghanche District is Khaplu. The Khaplu and Hushe Valleys form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of the Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), the Gasherbrums (8,000+ meters), and Masherbrum (7,821 m) all of which are located in the Skardu District. The highest peak in Ghanche District is Saltoro Kangri (7,742 m), which is the 31st highest peak in the world and is, in fact, under Indian control since 1984. Some of the towns in the district are Khaplu, Keris, Doghani, Siksa, Balghar, Thaghas and Ghuwari. Some rivers in the district are the Shyok River, the Hushe River, and the Thalle River.