Introduction to Pakistan's Northern Areas T he northern areas of Pakistan are a beautiful and diverse region. The landscape varies from snow-capped mountain peaks to lush valleys and exotic animals like the markhor, ibex and urial. There are also many historical sites including Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples and forts dating back thousands of years. History and Culture The history of the Northern Areas begins with the Indus Valley Civilization, which was one of the world's first civilizations. It existed from 2600 BC to 1900 BC and covered an area that included parts of modern-day Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The people who lived there were called Harappans because they built their cities at sites with springs or wells (Hara). The first known invaders were Alexander's troops in 327 BC; they conquered parts of Punjab but couldn't conquer these mountains because they were too difficult to pass through. Next came Mahmud Ghaznavi who invaded Punjab in 1001 AD an
Introduction to Pakistan Tourism P akistan is a country in South Asia, bordered by India to the east and Afghanistan to the west. It is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, including snow-capped mountain peaks and lush valleys. Pakistan's diverse landscape includes deserts, forests and wildlife sanctuaries where you can spot exotic animals like tigers, leopards and bears. There are also many historical sites such as Buddhist stupas that date back over 2,000 years or ancient ruins from Alexander's invasion of India in 326 BC. History and Culture: Pakistan is a land of great history and culture, which has influenced its tourism industry in many ways. The history of Pakistan can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization that flourished in the region thousands of years ago. This civilization was one of the first urban societies in South Asia, and its influence can still be seen today through archaeological sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Many