4.1 Location of Pakistan

2026 📋 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Identify on a map: the Tropic of Cancer, latitudes 30°N and 36°N, and longitudes 64°E, 70°E, and 76°E
  2. Identify on a map: the Arabian Sea
  3. Identify on a map: the countries sharing a border with Pakistan, and Pakistan's position in relation to others in South and Central Asia

📖 Main Content

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1. Lines of Latitude and Longitude

Before we look at Pakistan specifically, let's quickly understand what latitude and longitude are.

  • Latitude lines run horizontally (left to right) across a map. They measure how far north or south a place is from the equator. The equator is at 0°, and the North Pole is at 90°N.
  • Longitude lines run vertically (up and down) on a map. They measure how far east or west a place is from a central line called the Prime Meridian (0°).

Think of latitude and longitude like a grid — together they help us pinpoint exactly where any place on Earth is.

Key Lines You Must Know on a Map of Pakistan

📍 The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N)

  • The Tropic of Cancer is a very important line of latitude at 23.5° North of the equator.
  • It marks the most northern point where the sun can shine directly overhead (this happens around 21 June each year).
  • The Tropic of Cancer passes through the southern part of Pakistan, close to the city of Karachi. This means Pakistan is mostly located north of the Tropic of Cancer.
  • On a map of Pakistan, it appears as a horizontal line cutting across the lower portion of the country.

📍 Latitude 30°N

  • This is a horizontal line that passes through the central part of Pakistan.
  • Important cities like Quetta (capital of Balochistan) are located near this line.
  • On a map, it is found roughly in the middle of the country.

📍 Latitude 36°N

  • This is a horizontal line that passes through the northern part of Pakistan.
  • It runs through or near Pakistan's mountainous northern regions.
  • On a map, it appears near the very top of the country.

📍 Longitude 64°E

  • This is a vertical line that runs along the western edge of Pakistan.
  • It passes through or near the province of Balochistan in the west.

📍 Longitude 70°E

  • This is a vertical line that runs through the central part of Pakistan.
  • It is roughly in the middle of the country from east to west.

📍 Longitude 76°E

  • This is a vertical line that runs along the eastern edge of Pakistan.
  • It passes near the border with India.

💡 Tip for the exam: When identifying these lines on a map, always check the numbers printed along the edges (top/bottom for longitude, left/right side for latitude). Latitude lines are horizontal; longitude lines are vertical.

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