Astore District

Infobox Pakistan district
district = Astore District
area = 5,092
population = 71,666
pop_year = 1998
density =
caption = Map of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, showing the six districts and tehsil boundaries
region = Northern Areas (Pakistan)
established =
nazim = Mohammad Ramzan
naib_nazim =
seats =
tehsils = 2
languages = Shina
website = [http://www.myastore.com www.myastore.com]

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Astore is one of the six districts of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. The district contains the Astore Valley and is bounded to the west by Diamer District (from which is was separated in 2004), to the north by Gilgit District, to the east by Skardu District and to the south by Neelum District of Azad Kashmir and the North-West Frontier Province. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan the population was 71,666. [1998 Census of Pakistan]

The valley

The Astore vally is located at 35° 2'20.30"N , 75° 6'36.91"E and has an area of 5,092 km² and an altitude of 2600m.

Accessibility:

Astore is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad(weather dependent) and by road with Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Skardu and Chitral. You can take a flight to Gilgit from the capital of the country and drive to Astore from Gilgit on metalled road.

History

According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, around 1600:

Sub Divisions

*Bunji
*Choungrah
*Chilm
*Dashkin
*Douan
*Eidgah
*Fina
*Gorikot
*Gudai
*Guzair
*Minimarg
*Mirmalik
*Pakora
*Parishing
*Qamri
*Rahman Pur
*Rama
*Rattu
*Shodas
*Tarashing
*Zian
*Zilla Bala
*Nasir Abad (Qamri)
*Nasir Abad (Zilla Bala)

Climate

Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the main valleys and up to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) in the mountains. In Mirmalik valley it snows up to 6 feet in February.

Languages

The main language spoken in the valley is Shina (also known as Tshina). Urdu, which is the National language of Pakistan, is the second most frequently spoken language. Since Astore has a history of modest tourist traffic in the summer months, local guides and police in Tarashing or Astore may speak some English.

Transport

There were some negative perceptions in past due to rough mode of transport but nowadays there are paved roads connecting Gilgit and Islamabad through the Karakorum Highway. Landslides and rockfall may be an issue in some areas of the Indus Valley. There is a permanent road through Gilgit as well as seasonal road access via Deosai Plateau to Skardu. Here you can obtain all types of vehicles (Jeeps, taxis, wagons, SUVs) and hire jeeps and SUVs at affordable prices. The most used vehicles are Jeeps and SUVs with a local preference for Pajeros and Landcruisers.

Places of interest

Astore lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of the far western Himalaya. Nearby peaks include Nanga Parbat, Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan.

ee also

* Rupal Valley
* Tarashing
* Nanga Parbat

References