Gilgit-Baltistan has been under Pakistani control since 1947 and was given full autonomy on August 29, 2009 and is now constitutionally an integrated part of Pakistan.
Gilgit-Baltistan comprises seven districts within two divisions of
Pakistan. The two districts of
Skardu and
Ghanche are in the
Baltistan Division, and the five districts of
Diamir,
Ghizar,
Gilgit,
Astore (which was carved out of the Diamir District in 2004)and
Hunza-Nagar which was carved out of Gilgit District are in the
Gilgit Division. 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...
Read More