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Pak Studies Geography IGCSEprinted 12 · PDF 12
162 pagesrevision 46929
printed 12 · PDF 12
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1.1 Northern & North-western mountain systems
(Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush)
Location & form: High, steep mountain chains in extreme
north and north-east. Karakoram contains K2 (8,611 m);
Himalaya includes Nanga Parbat (~8,126 m); Hindu Kush
stretches into Afghanistan (Tirich Mir ~7,690 m). These
ranges are young fold mountains formed by Indian-Eurasian
plate collision.
●Glaciers & hydrology: Thousands of glaciers (e.g., Baltoro,
Siachen) feed the headwaters of the Indus and tributaries
crucial year-round water source. Glacier melt provides
dry-season baseflow but is sensitive to warming.
Soils & vegetation: Alpine meadows, conifer forests
(deodar, pine) at mid altitudes; sparse above snowline. Soils
thin and often stony.
Human use & constraints: Tourism/mountaineering
(economic potential), hydro-electric sites in valleys; but steep
slopes limit agriculture, risk of landslides, seismic hazard
and difficult transport (Karakoram Highway).
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