Gilgit Agency

Gilgit is a landscape in the extreme northwest of the Kashmir region. The 1500-1800 meters, the Valley of Gilgit covers an area of ​​9273 km ². It is located on the south side of the Karakoram and the Gilgit river, which comes from Kafiristan from Lahorigebirge and about 50 kilometers below the town of Gilgit empties into the Indus River, running through it. The inhabitants are predominantly Shia Muslims.

Due to a relatively mild climate are rice, and cotton, and to a large extent fruits, especially pomegranates, mulberries, figs, melons and grapes, grown. Dried apricots, currants and silk represent important export item

Gilgit is connected since 1979 to the nearly all-weather Karakoram Highway ( KKH ).

Gilgit was ruled until the mid 19th century by its own princes. 1860 conquered the Maharaja of Kashmir with his 4,000 men counted army almost without a fight. After the independence of British India and the subsequent conflict between the two newly created states of India and Pakistan Gilgit fell to the latter.

The main town of Gilgit is located in the area surrounded by moderately high mountains valley mainly the right of the river of the same name about 1530 meters above sea level. It is the capital city of Gilgit -Baltistan, the former Pakistani Northern Areas.

• Geography (Pakistan )