Pakistan's glaciers: more than 7,000 rivers of ice
Pakistan has more than 7,000 glaciers, among the most outside the polar regions. Biafo and Baltoro are each over 60 km long.
Northern Pakistan holds one of the largest stores of glacier ice outside the North and South Poles.
Glacier facts
- Number: more than 7,000 glaciers, according to ICIMOD
- Biafo Glacier: about 67 km long
- Baltoro Glacier: about 63 km long, the route to K2 base camp
- Hispar Glacier: about 49 km long; joined with Biafo it forms one of the longest glacier systems outside the poles
Why they matter
Meltwater from these glaciers feeds the Indus and its tributaries, which supply most of Pakistan's farms.
Related
- The Indus: Pakistan's 3,180 km lifeline
- Deosai Plains facts