Welcome to CHITRAL
Introduction to Chitral
Chitral is also known as Chitrar and Qashqar. Chitral is the heart of Marco Polo land, nestling between the rugged mountains of the Hindukush- ‘Slayers of the Hindus’. The region is a hidden Paradise in the Hindukush range.
This interesting country of snow-peaked mountain ranges, ageless glaciers and deep green valleys through which flow the icy cold and crystal clear hill torrents from mountain springs and blue white glaciers has a natural charm and attraction of its own. It is here in Chitral that stands the majestic Terichmir Peak, 5th highest in the world, towering over 25,000 ft. into the sky along with other sister peaks throwing a challenge to the adventure loving men of the world. Chitral like Gilgit is famous as the cradle of Polo, which is its national game.
It is here in Chitral that the worlds famous and highest Polo ground stands right on the very summit of the over 12,250 ft Shandur Pass. It varies in elevation from about 1070 m (about 3500 ft) in the extreme south in Arandu to 7,690 m (25,230 ft) at the summit of Terich Mir in the Hindukush.
Area & Population
The total area of Chitral is 14,850 square kilometers and this area is situated between 35 & 37 N latitude and 71 & 22 and 74 E longitude. In 1998.
The population of Chitral was 318,689, and according to latest estimate it has reached the mark of 500,000.
Valleys
The most important and worth seeing of these sub-valleys are the Kalash valleys, Garam Chashma, Shishi Koh, Mastuj, Laspur, Yarkhun, Tor Khow and Mor Khow.
TRIVIA
Geography & Location
Chitral located in the North West of Pakistan is a beautiful valley in the Hindukush range of Mountains. Chitral is bordered in the east with Gilgit-Baltistan, south-east Swat valley, north and north-east by China and the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan, and in the west by the Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. In the south of Chitral is situated the Upper Dir district OF Khyber Pakhtunkha.
Lying just south of the Hindukush mountain range, Chitral commands the main passes of these mountains and is therefore of great strategic importance in the defense of southern Asia. It is the northern most district of the NWFP. It is situated at about 366 kilometers from Peshawar. It is also connected to Peshawar by air.
It enjoys a unique position in the region because of its location and potential. The district is strategically located in such a way that its neighbors include Afghanistan, Central Asian States, Northern Areas of Gilgit and China. Chitral is mostly inhabited by Chitrali people; however, it also has some Pushtoons in the southern areas and more importantly the Kalash people in beautiful valleys of Birir, Bomburet and Rambur of Chitral sub-division.
When one enters Chitral through any of the two main routes – Lowari Pass or Lowari Tunnel and Shandur Psss – the landscape inspires the visitor. Chitral is gifted with extremely mysterious and steep harsh mountains, lush green valleys, beautiful meadows and huge glaciers. Chitral is divided into small valleys numbering about 35.
Mountains
The highest peak in this range of the Hindukush is Terichmir, which lies at a height of 25,263 feet, just 36 miles away in the north-east of Chitral town. It is also called the palace of fairies.
No mountain in the region is less than 4,000 feet and over 40 peaks have an altitude of 20,000 feet. Chitral lies at an elevation of 4,900 feet from the sea level.