Section 1: Geography and Physical Features of Karachi
Location & Topography
- Karachi is located in the south of Pakistan.
- It is on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
- The land in the area is mainly flat.
- There are some hills on the western part of the city.
- There are also hills on the northern part of the city.
- Two rivers flow through Karachi.
- One river is the River Malir.
- The other river is the River Lyari.
Coastal Features
Karachi Harbour and Its Protection
- Karachi Harbour is in the south-west of the city.
- The harbour is in a sheltered bay.
- It is protected from storms by Sandspit Beach.
- It is also protected by Manora Island.
- Oyster Rocks also help protect the harbour.
- Karachi is in a bay.
- A bay is a sheltered coastal inlet.
- A bay has land on three sides.
Karachi Coastline Features
- The Karachi coast has low rocky cliffs.
- It also has sandy beaches.
- There is a stack at Paradise Point in Karachi.
- There are dense mangrove forests in the south-east.
- These are located in the Indus River delta.
- There are also creeks in the south-east.
Sea Formations and Erosion Process
- Sea caves are common on this coast.
- Sea arches are also common.
- Cliffs, caves, and arches are formed by erosion from the sea.
- Erosion means the wearing away of the land.
- Waves crash against the land.
- Waves erode the rocks.
- Over a long period of time, this erosion forms a steep landform called a cliff.
Formation of Caves, Arches, and Stacks
- If there is a weak part at the bottom of a cliff, the waves erode this area more quickly.
- This faster erosion forms a hole or cave.
- A headland is land that juts out into the sea.
- Sometimes, caves form on both sides of a headland.
- Each cave is eaten away by the waves.
- A hole forms all the way through the headland.
- This hole is called an arch.
- Over time, the thin strip of land above the arch is worn away.
- It is worn away by rain and wind.
- It falls into the sea.
- The bit of land left in the sea is called a stack.
Climate
- Karachi has a fairly mild climate.
- The annual rainfall is quite low.
- The annual rainfall is about 220 mm or 9 inches per year.
- Most of this rain falls during the monsoon season.
- The monsoon season is from July to August.
- Winters are mild and dry.
- Winter lasts from November to February.
- Winter is considered to be the best time to visit the city.
- This is the time when most tourists visit Karachi.
- Summers are hot and humid.
- Summer lasts from April to August.
- Summer temperatures range from 30-44°C.
Wildlife
- Sandspit Beach is a nesting ground for Green turtles.
- It is also a nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles.
- Both are endangered species.
- Both need protection.
Section 2: The Port of Karachi and Trade
The Port
- The Port of Karachi is Pakistan’s largest and busiest seaport.
- The port is in a deep, natural harbour.
- It has a long, sheltered channel for ships to move safely.
- Many of Pakistan’s imports and exports are handled by the port.
- Imports are goods and services that are bought from other countries.
- Exports are goods and services that are sold to other countries.
Trade Partners
Countries Pakistan Exports To
- Pakistan exports goods to the United States of America (USA).
- Pakistan exports goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Pakistan exports goods to China.
- Pakistan exports goods to Afghanistan.
- Pakistan exports goods to the United Kingdom (UK).
Countries Pakistan Imports From
- Pakistan buys a lot of goods from other countries.
- Countries Pakistan buys from include China.
- Countries Pakistan buys from include Saudi Arabia.
- Countries Pakistan buys from include Kuwait.
- Countries Pakistan buys from include UAE.
- Countries Pakistan buys from include USA.
Petroleum and Oil History
- Petroleum is the name for crude oil.
- It is used to make petrol and many other things.
- Pakistan’s first oil well was drilled in 1866.
- It was drilled at Kundu, in the upper part of the Indus Valley.
- This was much before Partition.
Section 3: Economy, Goods, and Services in Karachi
Definitions
- Goods
- come from plants, animals, or the earth.
- can also be made.
- Services
- are things provided for you by other people.
Karachi’s Economic Importance
Karachi as a Major City
- Karachi is a modern, fast-growing city.
- It is the largest city in Pakistan.
Manufacturing and Industrial Importance
- It is a very important manufacturing city.
- It produces 30% of Pakistan’s manufactured goods.
- Manufactured goods are things made in factories.
- The main goods made in Karachi are textiles.
- Textiles include cotton cloth and clothes.
- Other main goods are chemicals and medicines.
- Other main goods are steel and cars.
- Car manufacturers include Toyota and Suzuki.
- Trucks and buses are also made in the city.
- Examples of manufacturers are Daihatsu, HinoPak Buses, and Millar Tractors.
Financial and Business Hub
- Most of Pakistan’s banks have their headquarters in Karachi.
- Most of the insurance companies have their headquarters in Karachi.
Growing Technology and Services Sector
- ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is a very important, fast-growing business in Karachi.
- Electronic goods are a very important, fast-growing business in Karachi.
- Call centres are a very important, fast-growing business in Karachi.
Media and Broadcasting Industry
- Most of Pakistan’s television channels are located in Karachi.
- These channels include CNBC Pakistan, Dawn News, TV One, Indus Media Group, ARY Digital, KTN News, and Geo TV.
Transport and Fishing Industry
- Karachi airport is called Jinnah International Airport.
- It is the largest and busiest in Pakistan.
- Road transport is very important.
- Railway transport is very important.
- Goods are transported to all parts of Pakistan from the city.
- Karachi has the biggest fishing fleet in Pakistan.
- It employs many thousands of people.
- Fish products are sold to other parts of Pakistan.
- Fish products are sold to other countries.
- About 10% of fish caught is sold to other countries.
- Pakistan sells fish to China.
- Pakistan sells fish to South Korea.
- Pakistan sells fish to Arab countries.
- Pakistan sells fish to Singapore, amongst other countries.
Section 4: Big City Problems in Karachi
Overcrowding and Infrastructure
- Karachi is one of the world’s largest cities.
- It has a population of approximately 16 million people.
- Many of Karachi’s problems are due to overcrowding.
- Large numbers of people cause traffic jams.
- Large numbers of people cause a shortage of houses.
- Large numbers of people cause not enough electricity for everyone’s needs.
- Large numbers of people cause not enough water for everyone’s needs.
- There is a problem of trying to dispose of all the waste produced.
- Thousands of people come to Karachi looking for work.
- There are not enough jobs for everyone.
- Some people have no choice but to live in areas with very poor living conditions.
Pollution
- Pollution is a big problem in Karachi.
- The air is polluted by waste from factories and people.
- The land is polluted by waste from factories and people.
- The rivers are polluted by waste from factories and people.
- Pollution can harm the coast.
- Oil from ships can flow into rivers and oceans.
- Waste from factories can flow into rivers and oceans.
- Sewage from homes can flow into rivers and oceans.
- This pollution can kill animals and plants.
- This pollution can cause diseases.
- Humans can become ill or die from this pollution.
- The coastline around Karachi is becoming more polluted.
- Unsafe drinking water kills thousands of people every year.
- Leaking water pipes mean a large amount of good drinking water goes to waste.
- Factories are the main source of water pollution in the city.
- Water pipes are laid close to sewage outlets.
- This allows sewage to enter the water supply.
- The Karachi Strategic Development Plan 2020 has been created to try and solve some of these problems.
Section 5: Life Outside Karachi (Thar Desert)
Environment and Climate
- The Thar Desert is a large, hot, dry region in India and Pakistan.
- In Pakistan, the desert covers the eastern part of Sindh province.
- It also covers the south-eastern part of Punjab province.
- Rainfall is very low.
- Rain falls from July to September.
- But rain does not always come.
- Sometimes there are many years of drought.
- Temperatures are harsh.
- Temperatures range from near freezing up to 50°C.
- Lack of water makes life difficult for people living in the Thar.
Water Sources
- When rain falls, it collects in small natural ponds.
- Sometimes people make ponds to collect the water.
- Often these ponds are the only water supply for animals and humans.
- When the ponds dry up, the people move on to find more water.
- Some villages have wells that everyone can use.
- This means the people can stay in one place instead of moving to find water.
Livelihood
- Most desert people are farmers.
- They grow crops or keep animals.
- The main crops are bajra.
- The main crops are chillies.
- The main crops are pulses.
- The main crops are jowar.
- The main crops are maize.
- The main crops are sesame.
- The main crops are groundnuts.
- The main animals are cows.
- The main animals are buffaloes.
- The main animals are sheep.
- The main animals are goats.
- The main animals are camels.
- The main animals are oxen.
- Lack of water makes it hard to grow crops.
- Lack of water makes it hard to keep animals.
Houses and Travel
- Houses in the desert are not like those in cities such as Karachi.
- Many houses are made from mud.
- Others are made from straw and sticks.
- There are not many roads in the desert.
- A lot of people travel by donkey.
- A lot of people travel by camel.
- A lot of people travel on foot.
- People travel by these means instead of by car.
Fact and Activity
- The Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world.
- An activity is to imagine what it might be like to live in the Thar Desert.
- The activity asks what you would like about living there.
- The activity asks what you would not like.
- The instructions are to write down your ideas.
- The instructions are to share them with others.
Section 6: Key Facts Summary
- Karachi is the capital city of Sindh.
- It is the largest city in Pakistan.
- It is the main seaport of Pakistan.
- The Karachi coast has cliffs.
- The Karachi coast has beaches.
- Waste from factories and humans is polluting the city.
- The main goods made in Karachi are textiles.
- The main goods made in Karachi are chemicals.
- The main goods made in Karachi are medicines.
- The main goods made in Karachi are steel.
- The main goods made in Karachi are cars.
- Life in the Thar Desert is very different from life in Karachi.
Book Questions
Of course! Here are the answers to the questions in the images, based on the content you provided.
(Factory Owner)
1. Decide what your factory will make.
My factory will make textiles (cotton clothes). This is a good choice because the text says textiles are one of the main goods made in Karachi.
2. Invent a name for your business.
A good name for my business would be “Karachi Cotton Comforts.”
3. Design an advertisement.
(Headline): Feel the Comfort of Karachi Cotton!
(Body): Tired of clothes that are rough and uncomfortable? Our factory in Karachi uses the finest local cotton to make super soft and cool t-shirts, shirts, and shalwar kameez! Perfect for Karachi’s hot weather. They are strong, last a long time, and will make you look great. Buy local, wear comfort! Visit our store today!
(Karachi’s Problems)
1. Make a list of some of the problems Karachi has.
* Traffic jams
* Shortage of houses
* Not enough electricity
* Not enough clean water
* Lots of pollution (air, land, water)
* Not enough jobs for everyone
* Too much garbage
2. Choose ONE of the problems from your list.
I choose “Not enough clean water.”
3. Write down TWO ideas for solving this problem.
* Idea 1: The government should fix all the leaking water pipes first. This will save a lot of clean water that is currently being wasted.
* Idea 2: Build new, modern water treatment plants to clean the dirty water from rivers and the sea, making it safe to drink.
4. Share your ideas.
(You can discuss these ideas with your teacher, friend, or family member and ask if they agree).
(Life in the Thar Desert)
What would you LIKE about living in the Thar Desert?
- I would like being close to animals like camels, goats, and sheep.
- It might be peaceful and quiet, away from the noise of a big city like Karachi.
What would you NOT LIKE about living in the Thar Desert?
- I would not like the lack of water. It would be very hard to always worry about finding enough water to drink and wash.
- I would not like the harsh weather—it is either extremely hot (up to 50°C) or sometimes very cold.
- It would be difficult because there are not many roads, schools, or hospitals like in the city.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Location
Karachi is located in the south of which country?
a) India
b) Iran
c) Pakistan
d) Afghanistan
Karachi is situated on the coast of which body of water?
a) Bay of Bengal
b) Arabian Sea
c) Red Sea
d) Persian Gulf
What is the primary characteristic of the land in the Karachi area?
a) Mostly mountainous
b) Mainly flat
c) Densely forested
d) Entirely coastal
Where are the hills located in the city of Karachi?
a) Central and eastern parts
b) South and coastal parts
c) Western and northern parts
d) Only in the south-east
Which two rivers flow through Karachi?
a) River Hub and River Indus
b) River Ravi and River Chenab
c) River Malir and the River Lyari
d) River Jhelum and River Kabul
Where is Karachi Harbour specifically located?
a) In the north-east of the city
b) Along the open Arabian Sea coast
c) In a sheltered bay in the south-west of the city
d) Near the border with India
Which three natural features protect Karachi Harbour from storms?
a) Clifton Beach, Gizri Creek, and Chinna Creek
b) Sandspit Beach, Manora Island, and Oyster Rocks
c) Hawkesbay Beach, Korangi Creek, and Mubarak Village
d) Sea View, Do Darya, and Seaview Apartments
What type of vegetation is found in the south-east of the Indus River delta?
a) Pine and cedar forests
b) Deciduous trees
c) Dense mangrove forests
d) Arid desert scrub
Question Number Correct Answer
1 c
2 b
3 b
4 c
5 c
6 c
7 b
8 c
The Coast of Karachi
What are the two main features of the Karachi coast?
a) High sand dunes and rocky plateaus
b) Wide tidal flats and marshlands
c) Low rocky cliffs and sandy beaches
d) Deep fjords and headlands
What are two common geological features found along the Karachi coast?
a) Stacks and stumps
b) Bays and headlands
c) Sea caves and arches
d) Lagoons and coral reefs
Cliffs, caves, and arches are formed by what process?
a) Deposition of sand
b) Volcanic activity
c) Tectonic uplift
d) The erosion of the sea
What is the definition of erosion?
a) Building up of land
b) Shifting of sand dunes
c) Wearing away of the land
d) Submergence of coastal areas
What action causes the erosion of rocks when it meets the land?
a) Tides rising and falling
b) Sediment deposition
c) Waves crashing
d) Wind blowing over the surface
What steep landform is created over a long period by wave erosion?
a) A headland
b) A beach
c) A cliff
d) An arch
What feature forms when waves erode a weak part at the bottom of a cliff more quickly?
a) A stack
b) A hole or cave
c) A bay
d) An arch
What is a “headland”?
a) A wide sandy beach
b) A flat plateau of land
c) Land that juts out into the sea
d) A shallow river delta
What feature is created when wave action erodes a hole all the way through both sides of a headland?
a) A cave
b) A stack
c) A cliff
d) An arch
What happens to the arch’s thin strip of land over time?
a) It is built up by sediments.
b) It becomes a bay.
c) It is submerged by the tide.
d) It is worn away by rain and wind and falls into the sea.
What is the remaining bit of land left in the sea after an arch collapses called?
a) A pinnacle
b) A headland
c) A stack
d) A boulder
Where is an example of a stack?
a) Manora Island
b) Sandspit Beach
c) Paradise Point in Karachi
d) Oyster Rocks
What is a “bay”?
a) An exposed coastal stretch
b) A large island formation
c) A sheltered coastal inlet
d) A rocky cliff face
How many sides of a bay are bordered by land?
a) One side
b) Two sides
c) Three sides
d) All sides
Question Answer
1 c
2 c
3 d
4 c
5 c
6 c
7 b
8 c
9 d
10 d
11 c
12 c
13 c
14 c
Sandspit Beach serves as a nesting ground for which two species of turtles?
a) Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles
b) Hawksbill and Flatback turtles
c) Green and Olive Ridley turtles
d) Kemp’s Ridley and Bissa turtles
What is the conservation status of both Green and Olive Ridley turtles?
a) Common species
b) Invasive species
c) Endangered species
d) Recovering species
What is required for the Green and Olive Ridley turtles?
a) Migration
b) More food sources
c) Protection
d) New habitats
| Question Number | Correct Answer |
| 1 | c |
| 2 | c |
| 3 | c |
Climate
What type of climate does Karachi generally have?
a) Extremely hot and dry
b) Very cold and wet
c) Fairly mild
d) Tropical rainforest
What is the average annual rainfall in Karachi, in millimeters and inches?
a) About 500 mm or 20 inches per year
b) About 100 mm or 4 inches per year
c) About 220 mm or 9 inches per year
d) About 440 mm or 18 inches per year
When does most of Karachi’s annual rain fall?
a) During the winter season
b) From March to April
c) During the monsoon season from July to August
d) In the late autumn
What are the winter months in Karachi?
a) December to March
b) November to February
c) October to January
d) January to April
What are the two main characteristics of Karachi’s winters?
a) Cold and wet
b) Hot and dry
c) Mild and dry
d) Mild and humid
Which season is considered the best time for tourists to visit Karachi?
a) Summer
b) Monsoon
c) Autumn
d) Winter
What is the time frame for Karachi’s summer season?
a) March to May
b) May to September
c) April to August
d) June to September
What are the characteristics of Karachi’s summers?
a) Mild and dry
b) Cold and windy
c) Hot and humid
d) Cool and rainy
What is the typical temperature range during Karachi’s summers?
a) 20−30∘C
b) 25−35∘C
c) 30−44∘C
d) 35−50∘C
Answer Key
| Question Number | Correct Answer |
| 1 | c |
| 2 | c |
| 3 | c |
| 4 | b |
| 5 | c |
| 6 | d |
| 7 | c |
| 8 | c |
| 9 | c |
The Port of Karachi and Trade
The Port of Karachi
- What is the significance of the Port of Karachi to Pakistan?
a) It is the newest and smallest seaport.
b) It is located inland on a major river.
c) It is Pakistan’s largest and busiest seaport.
d) It handles only passenger traffic. - What characteristic describes the natural setting of the port?
a) It is built in a wide, open bay.
b) It is in a deep, natural harbour.
c) It is located on an exposed headland.
d) It is situated in a freshwater lake. - What feature allows ships to enter the port safely?
a) A short, unprotected waterway
b) A narrow, shallow stream
c) A long, sheltered channel
d) A man-made canal with locks - What is primarily handled by the Port of Karachi?
a) Only tourist cruises
b) Mostly fishing boats
c) Many of Pakistan’s imports and exports
d) Only military vessels
Imports and Exports
- What are imports defined as?
a) Goods and services that are sold to other countries.
b) Goods and services that are bought from other countries.
c) Taxes collected on domestic goods.
d) Goods exchanged within Pakistan. - What are exports defined as?
a) Goods and services that are bought from other countries.
b) Goods and services that are sold to other countries.
c) Goods consumed by the local population.
d) Services provided by government agencies.
Trading Partners
- Which countries does Pakistan export goods to?
a) India, Russia, and Japan
b) USA, UAE, China, Afghanistan, and the UK
c) Australia, Canada, and Brazil
d) Germany, France, and Italy - Which countries does Pakistan buy a lot of goods from?
a) UK, Japan, and India
b) Russia, Germany, and Brazil
c) China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and the USA
d) Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey
Fact Box
- What is “Petroleum” the name for?
a) Natural gas
b) Crude oil
c) Refined petrol
d) Coal - What is crude oil used to make?
a) Just food products
b) Primarily electricity
c) Petrol and many other things
d) Only lubricants - When and where was Pakistan’s first oil well drilled?
a) In 1947 at Karachi
b) In 1900 near the coast
c) In 1866 at Kundal, in the upper part of the Indus Valley
d) In 1950 in the Arabian Sea
Answer Key
| Question Number | Correct Answer |
| 1 | c |
| 2 | b |
| 3 | c |
| 4 | c |
| 5 | b |
| 6 | b |
| 7 | b |
| 8 | c |
| 9 | b |
| 10 | c |
| 11 | c |
What are goods
Goods are defined as coming from plants, animals, or the earth, or they can also be made.
What is the definition of services?
a) Goods that are sold overseas.
b) Products made from the earth.
c) Things provided for you by other people.
d) Items exchanged within a market.
Answer : c
Manufacturing and Transport
- Karachi is described as a modern, fast-growing city and what else in terms of production?
a) A major agricultural center
b) A very important manufacturing city
c) The oldest historical site
d) A primary tourist destination - What percentage of Pakistan’s manufactured goods does Karachi produce?
a) 10%
b) 50%
c) 20%
d) 30% - What are manufactured goods?
a) Goods that are imported from other countries.
b) Goods that come only from natural sources.
c) Goods are things made in factories.
d) Goods exchanged in local markets. - Which two sectors make up the main goods made in Karachi factories?
a) Food processing and timber
b) Textiles and chemicals
c) Electronics and petroleum
d) Steel production and fishing - What are the specific examples of textiles mentioned as goods made in Karachi?
a) Carpets and bedding
b) Silk and leather
c) Yarn, cloth, and clothes
d) Ropes and nets - Besides textiles, chemicals, and medicines, which other two main goods are made in Karachi factories?
a) Plastics and rubber
b) Sugar and cement
c) Steel and cars
d) Glass and paper - Which four vehicle manufacturers are specifically mentioned as having manufacturers in the city?
a) Honda, Ford, Suzuki, and Fiat
b) Toyota, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and HinoPak Buses
c) Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Isuzu
d) Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and Volvo - Which large vehicles are also made by manufacturers in Karachi, besides trucks and buses?
a) Helicopters b) Motorbikes
c) Tractors
d) Trains - What is the name of Karachi’s airport, which is described as the largest and busiest in Pakistan?
a) Quaid-e-Azam International Airport
b) Allama Iqbal International Airport
c) Jinnah International Airport
d) Islamabad International Airport - What two forms of transport are also important for transporting goods to all parts of Pakistan from the city?
a) Air and sea transport
b) Pipeline and canal transport
c) Road and railway transport
d) Bicycle and horse transport
Services and Fishing
- Most of Pakistan’s banks and which other major financial institutions have their headquarters in Karachi?
a) The stock exchanges
b) The foreign embassies
c) The insurance companies
d) The universities - Which four service sectors are highlighted as very important and growing businesses in Karachi?
a) Agriculture, mining, construction, and tourism
b) ICT, electronic goods, call centres, and television channels
c) Hotels, restaurants, shipping, and media
d) Hospitals, schools, printing, and road building - Most of Pakistan’s television channels are located in Karachi, including which four named channels?
a) BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and Fox News
b) PTV, K-2, Dawn News, and Express News
c) CNBC Pakistan, Dawn News, TV One, and Indus Media Group (including ARY Digital News and Geo TV)
d) Dunya News, 92 News, Capital TV, and GNN - In the fishing sector, what is the significance of Karachi?
a) It has the smallest fishing fleet.
b) It has the newest fishing vessels.
c) It has the biggest fishing fleet in Pakistan.
d) It only fishes for local consumption. - The fishing fleet in Karachi employs many people and sells its fish products to where?
a) Only local markets
b) Other cities in Pakistan
c) Other parts of Pakistan and to other countries
d) Only to the military - What percentage of fish caught is sold to other countries?
a) About 50%
b) About 5%
c) About 10%
d) About 25% - Which four specific countries/regions does Pakistan sell fish to?
a) USA, UK, Europe, and Canada
b) Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam
c) China, South Korea, Arab countries, and Singapore
d) India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey