Mountain Ranges:

The high piece of land that has rocky, uneven, and steep surface is called a mountain. Pakistan has the following mountain ranges.

1. Northern Mountain Ranges
2. Central Mountain Ranges
3. Western Mountain Ranges

These mountain ranges are in the north of Pakistan. These mountain ranges make the Northern borders of Pakistan secured to a great extent. They stop the winds coming from the Arabian Sea and Bengal Gulf causing snowfall and rain. There are many healthy places in this region where people go for tourism. Among these places, Muree, Ayubia, Nathiagali, Kaghan, Lipa Valley, Skardu, Swat Valley, Kalam Neelam Valley, Bagh, Hunza, Chitral, Chilas and Gilgit are famous.

1. The Northern Mountain ranges include the following ranges:

• Sub-Himalayan Range or Siwalik Hills:

This mountain range is in the east of the River Indus. It is the southern branch of Himalaya which stretches from east to west. It is also called Siwalik Mountain Range. Pabbi Hills are its famous hills which are situated in the south of Hazara and Muree. Their western range is in Pakistan whereas a major part of them is in India.

• The Lesser Himalayan Range:

The Lesser Himalayan Range lies north of the Sub-Himalayan Range or Siwalik Range. This range stretches from east to west. Pir Panjal is the highest mountain range here. Muree, Ayubia and Nathiagali are the famous resort places of this range. A small part of the Lesser Himalayan range is in Pakistan while the remaining part of it is situated in occupied Kashmir and the north of India.

• The Greater Himalayan Range:

It is one of the highest mountain ranges in the world. It is covered with snow throughout the year. The beautiful valley of Kashmir is located between the Pir Panjal range and the Greater Himalayan Range. The glaciers are found in this region which melt to form rivers. Nanga Parbat is the highest peak of this range.

• Karakorum Range:

Karakoram Range stretches from west to east in Kashmir and Gilgit along with the borders of China. It is in the north of Himalayas. The second highest peak in the world is in this range. It is called Mt Godwin Austin or K-2. It reaches a height of 8611 meters. Shahrah-e-Resham, which is also known as Karakoram Highway passes through this range and leads to China via Khunjerab.

• The Hindukush Mountains:

The Hindu Kush Mountain Range is in the North-West of Pakistan. Most of the mountains of this range are In Afghanistan. The highest peak of this range is Tirich Mir.

• Mountains of Swat and Chitral:

Small mountain ranges stretch to the south of the Hindukush range. Between these mountains, there is the Lowari Pass which connects Chitral with Peshawar. It remains closed in the winter due to snowfall. A tunnel named Lowari Tunnel is constructed here. Through this tunnel, traffic between Chitral and Peshawar runes throughout the year. The Swat River, the Panjkora River (Kunar River) and the Chitral River flow between these mountain ranges.

     2.  Central Mountain Ranges:

•  Salt Range:

This mountain range is located, in the south of Pothwar Plateau, between River Jhelum and Indus River. Sakesar is a beautiful place in this range. Deposits of salt, gypsum and coal are found in this range.

•  The Sulaiman Mountain Range:

The Sulaiman Mountain Range stretches from north to south. It starts from south of the river Gomal and reaches to the centre of Pakistan. Takht-e-Sulaiman is the highest peak of the Sulaiman Range.

• Kirthar Mountains:

To the south of Sulaiman Mountains and the west of Indus River stretches the range of Kirthar Mountains. It is located to the west of the Lower Indus Plain. It consists of low high and barren mountains. Hub River and Lyari River from Kirthar towards the Arabian Sea.

          3. Western Mountains Ranges:

•  Koh-e-Sufaid range:

Koh-e-Sufaid stretches from east to west of Indus River stretches the range of Kirthar Mountains. It is located to the west of the Lower Indus Plain. It consists of low high and barren mountains. Hub River and Lyari River flow from Kirthar towards the Arabian Sea.

• Waziristan Hills:

This mountains range stretches in the south of River Kurram along the Pak-Afghan border from north to south. Tochi Pass and Gomal Pass are situated in these hills.

• Toba Kakar Mountain Range:

Toba Kakar Mountain Range is situated along the Afghan border to the south of Waziristan Hills. It extends from north-east towards south-west till it ends in the north of Quetta.

• Chaghi Hills and Ras Koh Hills:

To the west of Pakistan, along the Afghan border, mere lie the Chaghi Hills. Ras Koh Hills is situated in the south of the Chaghi Hills.

• Saihan Hills:

To the south of Ras Koh, there are Saihan Hills in the province of Balochistan.

• Central Makran Hills:

These hills are situated in Balochistan. The winter season here is extremely cold whereas the summers are mild.

• Hills of Makran Coast:

These hills are situated in the west of Saihan Hills. These are low hills.