Gilgit-Baltistan

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Gilgit-Baltistan or the Northern Areas is a Pakistan controlled region, at the extreme north of the country. The entire area including Gilgit and Baltistan was known as the Gilgit Agency till October, 1947. This is a strategically very important region of the world, which is sandwiched between the high peaks of Hindukush and Karakorum on the north and those of western Himalaya on the south. It borders to the north with Afghanistan and China, to the south with India and Azad Kashmir and to the west with North-West Frontier, Pakistan. Strictly speaking, the Northern Areas are not merged with Pakistan but are instead directly administered by the latter. India does not recognize the Northern Areas as belonging to Pakistan and has named the region encompassing Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.

The Northern Areas comprise of the districts of Baltistan, Gilgit (where their capital is located) and Hunza. The latter was an independent principality for 900 years and only came under Pakistani rule in 1974. The Northern Areas collectively comprise a territory of 27,991 mi² (72,496 km²).

According to Habib R. Sulemani the Northern Areas of Pakistan is commonly known as "Gilgit-Baltistan" and this term clearly indicates the districts of Gilgit, Ghizer, Diyamer, Sikardu and Ganchay, while the term 'Northern Areas' confuses parts of the NWFP with Gilgit-Baltistan. Gilgit-Baltistan is geographically and politically more suitable than any other term.

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