Ghanche District ضلع گانچھے |
|
---|---|
District | |
Map of Gilgit–Baltistan with Ghanche District highlighted in maroon. |
|
Country | Pakistan |
Province | Gilgit-Baltistan |
Division | Baltistan |
Capital | Khaplu |
Area | |
• Total | 4,052 km2 (1,564 sq mi) |
Population (1998) | |
• Total | 88,366 |
Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Website | www |
Ghanche District(Urdu: ضلع گانچھے) (Balti: Gangchay) is the easternmost district of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. To its northeast is Xinjiang (China), to the north and northwest is Skardu District, to its west is Astore District and to its south is Ladakh of Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir. The Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) at the easternmost part of Ghanche District is located across the Saltoro Ridge. Territory east of the AGPL is currently controlled by India including the entire Siachen Glacier. It has been proposed by moderates in Pakistan and India to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park. Pakistan controls west of Saltoro Ridge.
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. This region is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the "Third Pole" with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Khaplu Valley and Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m) (all of which are included in the Skardu District).