District Map — Click to Explore
Population by District
Area by District (km²)
About Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is the northernmost administrative territory of Pakistan, covering approximately 72,971 km². It borders China to the north (via the Khunjerab Pass, 4,693m), India-administered Kashmir to the east, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor to the northwest, and KPK & AJK to the south.
Home to three of the world's great mountain ranges — the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush — meeting in one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. GB contains 5,218 glaciers storing ~75% of Pakistan's freshwater reserves.
Photo Gallery
Visual journey through Pakistan's most spectacular northern territory.
Major Peaks — Elevation Profile
Glacier Inventory
| Glacier | Length (km) | District | Status |
|---|
Climbing Facts
🏆 K2 (8,611m) — First climbed 1954, Italy. Death rate ~23%, far higher than Everest (~1%).
💀 Nanga Parbat (8,126m) — "Killer Mountain". 31 deaths before first ascent (1953).
🧊 Concordia — 4 of world's 14 eight-thousanders visible simultaneously from here.
🗺️ Karakoram Range — Highest concentration of 8000m+ peaks (60km radius).
❄️ Biafo-Hispar — Together 116km, largest mid-latitude glacial system.
📡 Deosai Plateau — 4,114m avg, world's 2nd highest plateau. Himalayan brown bear habitat.
Monthly Climate Profile
Glacier Retreat Index 1990–2024
Annual Snowfall Index
Temperature Anomaly vs 1990 Baseline (°C)
Climate Zones of GB
District Multi-Hazard Risk Index (1–5)NDMA/PDMA 2023
Historical GLOF Events
| Year | Lake/Event | District | Impact | Risk |
|---|
Population by DistrictPBS 2022
Age StructureUNFPA 2022
Languages Spoken
Religion
Key Demographic IndicatorsMICS 2019–20 / PBS 2022
| Indicator | GB Value | Pakistan Avg | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fertility Rate | 3.8 | 3.6 | DHS 2017-18 |
| Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 LB) | 52 | 62 | MICS 2019-20 |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (per 100k LB) | ~250 | 186 | NHSRC 2019 |
| Under-5 Mortality (per 1000 LB) | 67 | 74 | MICS 2019-20 |
| Skilled Birth Attendance | 51% | 69% | MICS 2019-20 |
| Contraceptive Prevalence Rate | 31% | 34% | DHS 2017-18 |
| Primary School Net Enrollment | 78% | 72% | EMIS 2020-21 |
| Population with Electricity | 89% | 96% | Census 2017 |
Poverty Headcount by District (%)PPHS 2018/PSLM 2019-20
UN SDG ProgressUNDP Pakistan 2023
Active Development Programs
| Program | Agency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| GBDP Phase II | World Bank | Infrastructure |
| WASH GB | UNICEF | Water/Sanitation |
| GLOF-II Project | UNDP/GCF | DRR/Climate |
| GB Education Support | Aga Khan | Education |
| BISP Expansion | GoP | Social Protection |
| CPEC Connectivity | NDRC/GoP | Infrastructure |
| KFWP Forest | WWF-P | Biodiversity |
| GB Health Sector | WHO/USAID | Healthcare |
Key Poverty IndicatorsMultiple UN/Government Sources
🍑 Major Crops & Produce
Fruit Production by TypeDoA GB 2022
Seasonal Calendar
| Season | Activity | Key Crop |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Mar–May | Sowing, irrigation | Wheat, barley, potato |
| Summer Jun–Aug | Growth, orchard | Apricot, cherry, maize |
| Autumn Sep–Nov | Harvesting, drying | Apricot, walnut, grape |
| Winter Dec–Feb | Storage, livestock | Dried fruits export |
🌐 OPEN DATA HUB
Curated datasets from HDX (Humanitarian Data Exchange), OCHA, World Bank, UNDP, FAO, WHO, and other international organizations covering Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan's northern regions.
📊 Humanitarian & Development Data
💧 WASH & Health Data
Water & Sanitation AccessUNICEF MICS 2019-20
Health Facility CoverageWHO/NHSRC 2022
🏔️ ICIMOD HKH Mountain Data
Glacial Lake InventoryICIMOD 2023
in HKH
GLOF lakes
sites in 2024
| Lake | District | Vol (M m³) | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shisper/Hasanabad | Hunza | 90 | High |
| Passu | Hunza | 45 | High |
| Gayari | Skardu | 30 | Med |
| Chiatibo | Ghizer | 22 | Med |
| Minapin | Nagar | 18 | Low |
Climate IndicatorsICIMOD HKH 2022
1950 baseline
lost per decade
water year
🌍 World Bank Development Indicators
EducationWB EdStats 2022
EconomicWB Open Data 2023
InfrastructureGoGB/ADB 2022
📋 Available Datasets
Historical Overview
The region encompassing present-day Gilgit-Baltistan has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, serving as a critical crossroads of ancient civilizations. From Silk Road trade routes to Buddhist pilgrimage paths, this mountain crossroads shaped culture and religion across Central and South Asia.
Timeline of Key Events
Ancient Rock Carvings
The Chilas-Shatial corridor contains one of the world's richest collections of ancient rock art — over 50,000 carvings spanning 5,000 BCE to 16th century CE. Scripts include Kharosthi, Brahmi, Sogdian, and Chinese.
UNESCO: On Pakistan's Tentative List for World Heritage status.
Historic Forts & Heritage
| Fort/Site | Era | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Baltit Fort, Hunza | 8th c. CE | UNESCO Restored |
| Altit Fort, Hunza | 11th c. CE | AKTC Restored |
| Shigar Fort | 17th c. | Heritage Hotel |
| Khaplu Palace | 19th c. | AKTC Restored |
| Kharpocho Fort, Skardu | 16th c. | Partly Preserved |
| Chilas Rock Art | 5000 BCE+ | UNESCO Tentative |
🎭 Cultural Highlights
Peoples & Ethnic Communities
| Community | Region | Language | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shina | Gilgit, Diamer | Shina (Indo-Aryan) | Largest group |
| Balti | Skardu, Ghanche | Balti (Tibetan branch) | Ancient Tibetan culture |
| Burusho | Hunza, Nagar | Burushaski (isolate) | Language isolate |
| Wakhi | Upper Hunza | Wakhi (Iranian) | Afghan border, yaks |
| Khowar | Ghizer | Khowar (Indo-Aryan) | Polo, music |
| Domaki | Hunza | Domaki (endangered) | Artisan, musician caste |
Major Festivals
| Festival | When | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shandur Polo Festival | July | World's highest polo ground (3,700m) |
| Ginani (Harvest) | October | Ancient harvest festival, pre-Islamic |
| Navroz | March 21 | Persian New Year (Ismaili communities) |
| Jashn-e-Baharan | March/April | Spring festival, cherry blossoms |
| Baltistan Polo Cup | September | Traditional polo, Skardu |
Interactive Tourist Map
Visitor Trends 2015–2023
Tourism by Category
Top Destinations
| Destination | District | Type | Best Season | Elevation (m) |
|---|
Community Blog
Stories, insights, and discoveries from explorers, locals, researchers, and friends of Gilgit-Baltistan. Share your experience — your post will be reviewed and published by our team.
🏥 Health Advisory
🏔️ Altitude Sickness (AMS) — Risk above 2,500m. Ascend slowly. Diamox (acetazolamide) recommended.
☀️ UV Radiation — Extremely high at altitude. SPF 50+ & UV-protective sunglasses essential.
💧 Water Safety — Drink boiled/treated water only. Water purification tablets recommended.
🌡️ Temperature Swings — 20°C+ difference day/night common. Layer clothing. Hypothermia risk.
🏥 Medical Facilities — DHQ hospitals in Gilgit and Skardu. Carry comprehensive first aid kit.
💉 Vaccinations — Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus recommended. Rabies if trekking remotely.
📋 Requirements & Tips
📄 NOC — Required for restricted areas near LOC. Obtain via local tour operator.
🗺️ Trekking Permits — K2, Baltoro, Concordia require permits + licensed guide. Book 3–6 months ahead.
📡 Connectivity — Mobile works in main valleys. Rent satellite communicator for remote treks.
💵 Currency — Cash (PKR) essential. Limited ATMs (Gilgit, Skardu only).
🌐 Best Season — May–September. April/October shoulder. KKH fully open Apr–Nov.
👮 Registration — Register with PTDC or local admin. Leave itinerary with hotel.
📞 Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GB Rescue / SDMA | 1129 / 051-9218012 | Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Pakistan Tourist Police | +92-51-9202766 | Major tourist areas |
| NDMA Emergency | 1700 / 051-9246138 | Pakistan-wide |
| Gilgit DHQ Hospital | +92-5811-920101 | Gilgit city |
| Skardu DHQ Hospital | +92-5831-920100 | Skardu |
| PTDC Gilgit | +92-5811-920104 | Tourism guidance |
| Aga Khan Health Services | +92-5811-920203 | Hunza, Gilgit |
| Pakistan Army Rescue | Via 15 / district HQ | All GB |
🌤️ Current Season Status
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