Six Major Natural Topographic Regions of Pakistan

1. Northern Highlands – Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Pamir; K2 (8,611 m), glaciers, alpine valleys.
2. Balochistan Plateau – Arid, rugged, 44% of land; sparse population, mineral wealth.
3. Indus Plain – Alluvial fertile heartland; bulk of population, agriculture, cities (Lahore, Multan, Hyderabad).
4. Thar Desert – SE Sindh; 20,000 km² dunes, extreme heat, pastoralism.
5. Pothohar Plateau – NE Punjab (Rawalpindi/Islamabad); dissected loess, rain-fed farming, strategic location.
6. Salt Range – Punjab escarpment; rich salt mines (Khewra), fossil beds, scenic hills.

These regions define Pakistan's climate, economy, and settlement patterns.