Baltistan

{{Multiple issues | refimprove=April 2008 | cleanup=April 2008 }} [[Image:Baltistan.jpg|thumb|[[Karakoram Highway]] and the [[Indus River]]]] '''Baltistan''' ({{lang-ur|بلتستان}}, [[Balti language|Balti]]: {{lang|bo|བལྟིསྟན}}), also known as '''بلتیول བལིུལ་(Baltiyul)''' in the [[Balti language]], is a region in northern [[Pakistan]] which forms [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], bordering the [[Xinjiang]] [[Autonomous regions of China|Autonomous Region]] of [[People's Republic of China|China]]. In addition, a part of Baltistan also falls into [[Jammu and Kashmir]] of India. It is situated in the [[Karakoram]] mountains just to the south of [[K2]], the world's second highest mountain. It is an extremely mountainous region, with an average altitude of over 3,350 m (11,000 ft). It is inhabited principally by the [[Balti people|Balti]] people of [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] descent. Baltistan consisted of small independent valley states that were connected to each other through blood relationships of the rulers, called rajas, trade, common beliefs and strong cultural and language bonds. These states were subjugated by force by the [[Dogra]] rulers of [[Kashmir]] in the nineteenth century. In 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence, Baltistan was still part of Kashmir. The people of Baltistan being predominantly Muslims revolted against the Dogra rulers and after a struggle lasting a year became independent. Along with Gilgit, it is now claimed by Pakistan as the region of [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] (formerly [[Northern Areas]]). Its links with Kashmir as a subjugated people today continue to be an impediment in granting its population citizenship of Pakistan. The [[Kargil district]] of this region is located in the north of [[Indian-administered Kashmir]], while the districts of [[Skardu]] and [[Ganche]], whose main town is [[Skardu]], are located in the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan region. The region has the highest peaks of the Karakoram, including [[K2]]. == Geography == {{Update-EB|article=Ladakh and Baltistan|date=January 2011}} Baltistan forms the west extremity of Tibet, whose natural limits here are the [[Indus]] from its abrupt southward bend in 74 45 E., and the mountains to the north and west, separating a comparatively peaceful Tibetan population from the fiercer [[Aryan]] tribes beyond. [[Muslim]] writers about the 16th century speak of Baltistan as Little Tibet, and of [[Ladakh]] as Great Tibet, thus ignoring the really Great Tibet altogether. The Balti call [[Gilgit, Pakistan|Gilgit]] a Tibet, and Dr Leitner says that the [[Chilasi]] call themselves But or Tibetans; but although these districts may have been overrun by the Tibetans, or have received rulers of that race, the [[ethnological]] frontier coincides with the geographical one given. Baltistan is a mass of lofty mountains, the prevailing formation being [[gneiss]]. In the north is the [[Baltoro Glacier]], the largest out of the [[arctic]] regions, {{convert|35|mi|km}} long, contained between two ridges whose highest peaks to the south are {{convert|25000|ft|m|abbr=on}} and to the north {{convert|28265|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The Indus, as in Lower Ladakh, runs in a narrow [[gorge]], widening for nearly 20 m. after receiving the [[Shyok]]. The capital, [[Skardu]], a scattered collection of houses, stands here, perched on a rock {{convert|7250|ft|m|abbr=on}}. above the sea. The house roofs are flat, occupied only in part by a second storey, the remaining space being devoted to drying [[apricots]], the chief staple of the main valley, which supports little cultivation. But the rapid slope westwards is seen generally in the vegetation. [[Birch]], [[Sycamore maple|plane]], [[spruce]] and ''[[Pinus wallichiana]]'' appear; the fruits are finer, including [[pomegranate]], [[pear]], [[peach]], [[vine]] and [[melon]], and where irrigation is available, as in the North [[Shigar]], and at the [[river delta|deltas]] of the tributary valleys, the crops are more luxuriant and varied. On 29 August 2009 the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan announced the creation of Gilgit-Baltistan, a new province, with [[Gilgit]] city as its capital. [[Skardu]] is the largest city of the new province. ==Popular culture references== *The region of Baltistan is the focus of [[Greg Mortenson]]'s book, ''[[Three Cups of Tea]]''. ==External links== * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1491179.stm Pakistan's Northern Areas dilemma] * [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/51055/Baltistan Britannica Baltistan]. {{Baltistan}} {{coord missing|Pakistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}