Sample Notes: Location of Pakistan: Tropic of Cancer, Latitudes 30°N, 36°N, Longitudes 64°E, 70°E and 76°E

O Level and IGCSE Pakistan Studies – The Environment of Pakistan

Detailed Notes: 1(a) Location of Pakistan

Location of Pakistan – Overview

• Pakistan lies in South Asia, a region with ancient civilizations, strategic crossroads, and modern geopolitical importance.
• Its geographical position gives it access to:
  • Central Asia through Afghanistan.
  • South Asia through India.
  • Middle East through Iran and Arabian Sea.
• Pakistan’s location makes it a bridge between East and West, with importance for trade, defense, and culture.

Latitudinal and Longitudinal Extent

• Pakistan’s territory stretches across both latitude and longitude lines:
  • Latitudes: approximately 24°N to 37°N.
  • Longitudes: approximately 61°E to 77°E.
• Candidates should be able to identify important reference lines on a map:
  • Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) – passes just south of Pakistan, close to the Arabian Sea.
  • Latitude 30°N – passes roughly through central Pakistan (Punjab, Balochistan).
  • Latitude 36°N – passes through northern Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan).
  • Longitude 64°E – western border with Iran/Balochistan.
  • Longitude 70°E – passes through central Pakistan.
  • Longitude 76°E – near eastern border with India (Punjab, Sindh).

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Pakistan Studies The Environment of Pakistan Full Scale Course

Boundaries and Borders

• North: China (Xinjiang province), Afghanistan, and high mountain ranges (Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush).
• West: Afghanistan (Durand Line) and Iran.
• East: India (Punjab, Sindh border).
• South: Arabian Sea – Pakistan has about 1,046 km coastline.

Neighboring Countries

• China – northern border (Karakoram Highway links to Xinjiang).
• Afghanistan – long porous border (Durand Line, 2,640 km).
• Iran – southwestern border (Balochistan area, Gwadar near border).
• India – eastern neighbor, longest border, disputes in Kashmir.

Provinces and Territories (Location Context)

• Punjab – fertile plains, central-east.
• Sindh – lower Indus Valley, southeastern.
• Balochistan – western, largest province by area, bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) – northwest, mountainous.
• Gilgit-Baltistan – far north, mountainous borders with China, Afghanistan, India.
• Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) – disputed territory, northeastern.

Strategic Importance of Location

1. Trade Routes
   • Links Central Asia, Middle East, and South Asia.
   • Arabian Sea coastline allows international trade.
   • Gwadar Port is gateway for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
2. Defense and Security
   • Borders with India and Afghanistan create security challenges.
   • Northern mountains provide natural defense barriers.
3. Geopolitics
   • Location makes Pakistan central in global politics, especially during Cold War and War on Terror.
   • Proximity to oil-rich Middle East increases strategic importance.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Pakistan Studies The Environment of Pakistan Full Scale Course

Key Map Skills

Candidates must practice identifying on a map:

• Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) – just below Pakistan.
• 30°N latitude – through Punjab and Balochistan.
• 36°N latitude – through northern Pakistan.
• 64°E longitude – westernmost part (Balochistan).
• 70°E longitude – central Pakistan.
• 76°E longitude – near eastern border with India.

Timeline of Border-Related Developments (Relevant to Location)

• 1947 – Independence; borders drawn with India (Radcliffe Line).
• 1947–48 – First Kashmir War; Pakistan occupies AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
• 1950s–60s – Development of trade routes with China begins.
• 1963 – Border agreement signed with China.
• 1970s–80s – Afghan border becomes important during Soviet invasion.
• 2000s – Gwadar Port developed to enhance sea trade access.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Pakistan Studies The Environment of Pakistan Full Scale Course