Introduction: Pakistan, with its diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage, offers a fascinating tapestry of provinces, districts, and geographical features. Whether you’re a researcher, a student, or an enthusiast, gaining access to accurate and up-to-date geographic data is essential for understanding the country’s spatial characteristics. In this blog post, we will delve into the sources where you can find detailed information on Pakistan’s provinces, districts, their areas, and the latitude and longitude values associated with each district.
Understanding Pakistan’s Administrative Divisions: Before we explore the data sources, let’s familiarize ourselves with Pakistan’s administrative divisions. Pakistan is divided into four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Balochistan. Each province is further divided into districts, which are the second-level administrative divisions. The districts encompass various cities, towns, and rural areas, collectively shaping the country’s geography.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS): The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) serves as a valuable resource for a wide range of data, including geographic information. The PBS has made available the district and tehsil-wise population data of the final result of the census 2017 (Detailed Tables) on their official website. This comprehensive dataset includes 40 tables for each district of Pakistan, providing insights into population demographics. Table No. 22 of each district indicates the homeless population by age group, sex, marital status, religion, literacy, activity, and rural/urban classification.
To access this data, you can visit the following links on the PBS official website:
- Census 2017 District-wise Data: https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise
- Final Results of Census 2017: https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/final-results-census-2017
- Final Results of Census 2017 (Detailed Tables): https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/final-results-census-2017-0
Additionally, the PBS can provide maps related to charge, circle, and block divisions in urban areas, as well as mauza maps (manual) in rural areas. The Census Map is a priced item that is supplied on an advance payment basis. The costs for the required items are as follows:
- Urban Enumeration Block (Digital) Map: Rs. 400/- per map
- Rural Enumeration Block (Manual) Map: Rs. 300/- per map
- Urban Census Circle (Digital) Map: Rs. 500/- per map
- Urban Census Charge (Digital) Map: Rs. 600/- per map
- Photocopy of Boundary Description/Delimitation of Urban-Rural Census Areas (Per Charge, Circle, Block): Rs. 30/- per map
Open Data Portals: To promote transparency and data accessibility, several government bodies and organizations in Pakistan have embraced the concept of open data. Open data portals such as the Punjab Open Data Portal (https://data.punjab.gov.pk/) and the Sindh Open Data Portal (https://sindh.data.gov.pk/) offer a variety of datasets, including geographic data. These platforms provide datasets in formats like CSV, Excel, or API, facilitating easy integration into research projects or applications. Search for datasets that include information on provinces, districts, areas, and coordinates.
Geo-data Repositories: Geo-data repositories like OpenStreetMap (https://www.openstreetmap.org/) are community-driven platforms that provide extensive geospatial data for various regions, including Pakistan. OpenStreetMap allows users to download datasets in different formats, such as shapefiles, CSV files, and APIs. Exploring the available data, you can extract valuable information about provinces, districts, their areas, and latitude/longitude values. This data can be used for mapping, spatial analysis, or developing location-based services.
Research Institutes and Universities: Research institutions and university departments often conduct studies and maintain datasets related to Pakistan’s geography. These entities actively contribute to the body of knowledge by conducting surveys, research projects, and spatial analysis. Visit the websites of renowned institutions or reach out to their geography or geospatial departments to inquire about available datasets. These institutions can provide valuable insights and data sources for your exploration. Additionally, academic publications and research papers can serve as valuable resources for understanding Pakistan’s geography.
Conclusion: Accessing comprehensive and accurate geographic data is crucial for understanding the provinces, districts, and geographical attributes of Pakistan. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) offers valuable resources, including district and tehsil-wise population data from the census 2017, which can be accessed through their official website. Additionally, open data portals, geo-data repositories like OpenStreetMap, and research institutions/universities provide valuable datasets and insights into Pakistan’s geography.
Remember, exploring and analyzing geographic data is an exciting journey that opens doors to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the country’s rich tapestry of provinces, districts, and their unique geographical attributes. By leveraging the power of data, we can unravel the intricacies of Pakistan’s geography and make informed decisions for various fields ranging from urban planning to disaster management. Happy exploring!