Explore the Land of Pashtuns – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or KPK is the land of the Pashtuns or Pashtun culture & society. The region is mainly inhabited by the Pashtun, who comprise many clans and tribes, each with their unique lineage. It is the smallest province of the country, with most of the mountainous land. Hindu Kush is the most significant mountain range in KPK and a range of plains and valleys in its southern area.
The Indus, Kabul and Swat Rivers are the most noteworthy rivers in the provinces. Most of the people in Khyber Pakhtunkwa live in villages and speaks Pashto, except for some parts where Punjabi predominates. Other spoken languages of the region include Hindko, Urdu, Kohistani, Khowar, Brahui, and Wakhi.
History of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkwa has the history of the modern-day province of KPK, including some of the tribal areas that were earlier under the supervision of Federal administration. It also established the Mughal suzerainty after the founder of Mughal Empire Babar when he invaded the region in 1505.
Later, Yusufzai tribes worn Mughals out during 1667’s Yusufzai Revolt and battled with Mughal battalions in Peshawar and Attock. After the massacre in 1673, Mughal armies regained control of the entire area. The region witnessed Persian and Greek invasions as well as early Islamic invasions, including Durrani Afghans and Sikh. It also remained under the control of the British Raj. Then Bannu Resolution and NWFP referendum in 1947 also brought many changes to the province.
Cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar is the provincial capital of KPK, and Mardan, Nowshera, Chitral, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Batkhela, Haripur, Swabi, and Abbottabad are the major cities of the region. It also has numerous small towns and villages like Haripur, Mansehra, Lower Dir, Pabbo, Battagram, Akora Khattak, Dera Islamil Khan, and many others. Besides, valleys like Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Kalam, and Hunza are some of the best tourist destinations and most beautiful areas of the region.
The climate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkwa has immensely varied weather conditions that encompass most of the other climate types in Pakistan. It is one of the coldest regions in the country with an average daily high temperature of 30c˚ during winters. Hilly areas and peaks are mostly colder throughout the year. In summers, it remains warm to hot at temperatures continuously above 25 c˚, reaching up to 40 c˚.
Tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
KPK is one of the most beautiful provinces that are known for its attractive mountainous areas and other tourist destinations. It has a varied landscape ranging from rugged mountains, dense agricultural farms to hills and valleys. Besides being the capital of the province, the city also showcases cultural legacy and tradition. Cities like Mardan and Attock display some of the best-chronicled elements of the region. Abbottabad is another noteworthy city in KPK that is known for its peace and outstanding natural environment. The provincial government is also promoting tourism in small valleys, such as Sughran valley, Naran Valley, Ziarat valley, and Battagram valley.