Climate:
The climate of Pakistan varies widely with topography, but is generally continental in type. In the mountain regions of the north and west, temperatures fall below freezing during the winter. In the Indus Plain area, temperatures range between about 32� and 49� C (90� and 120� F) in summer; the winter average is about 13� C (55� F). Throughout most of Pakistan rainfall is scarce. The Punjab region receives the most precipitation�more than 508 mm (20 in) per year. The arid regions of the south-east and south-west receive less than 127 mm (5 in) annually. Most rain falls between July and September.
Natural Resources:
Pakistan's resources are primarily agricultural. Mineral resources include salt, chromite, coal, gypsum, limestone, iron ore, sulphur, clay, graphite, manganese, copper, oil, and natural gas, but many known mineral deposits, particularly iron ore and coal, are low grade. Oil was first discovered in small quantities in 1915; intensive exploration during the 1980s revealed several new fields, notably in Sind Province. Large natural gas fields were discovered in the 1950s on the border between Baluchistan and Punjab provinces |
