Geography & environment — Pakistan
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Pakistan: Asia
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Asia
- Geographic Coordinates
30 00 N, 70 00 E
- Total Area
307,372 Square Miles 796,095 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
297,635 Square Miles 770,875 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
9,737 Square Miles 25,220 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
4,209 Miles 6,774 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
- Coastline
650 Miles 1,046 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
- flat Indus plain in east
- mountains in north and northwest
- Balochistan plateau in west
- Highest Point
8,611 Meters
- Highest Point Location
K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
- Lowest Point Location
Indian Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
- Irrigated Land
77,181 Square Miles 199,900 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Seasonal temperatures vary widely in these five regions. With the exception of the Far North, summers are hot throughout the country with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 120°F and little nighttime relief. Trade winds provide some relief during the hot and humid summers in Karachi and a brief cool season comes between December and February. In Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, a distinct winter season brings daytime temperatures of 60°F or less and cold nights. Islamabad and Peshawar may have light frosts. Spring and fall are delightful seasons in these three cities. Altitude governs climate in the Far North, with pleasant summers in the lower regions and perpetual snow in the higher mountains. The average annual rainfall varies from 6 inches in Karachi, 15 inches in Peshawar, and 18 inches in Lahore, to about 30 inches in Islamabad. Most rain falls during the summer monsoon from July to September, although parts of the Punjab and the Northwest Frontier experience a moderate winter rainy season as well.
- Terrain
- flat Indus plain in east
- mountains in north and northwest
- Balochistan plateau in west
- Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
- Total Area
307,372 Square Miles 796,095 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff
limited natural fresh water resources
a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
deforestation
soil erosion
desertification
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation