KARACHI

Karachi started as a small fishing village called Mai KOLACHI. With the annexation of Sindhh by the British in 1843 it changed into a town. Its naturally protected harbour and moderate climate made it a summer resort for Sindhh. It was reputed to be the cleanest city of the sub-continent till 1947 with a population of 200,000. Karachi was transformed into an unmanageably big city with the establishment of Pakistan. It was the first capital of the federation from 1947 to 1960 before Islamabad was built. Being a port city millions of refugees from all over India streamed in here and gave it an unprecedented vitality and multicultural dimension. Today, its population exceeds 13 million. The main attractions of Karachi are the sea, the shopping and some fine specimen of Victorian architecture and modern buildings and international cuisine.

Karachi is the economic and commercial capital of Pakistan and an important regional port. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, northwest of the Indus River delta. Karachi accounts for the largest share of Pakistan's gross domestic product and generates about 65% of the national revenue. Karachi claims the highest per capita income in South Asia and is the nucleus of regional business and technological activities. The city has one of the highest literacy rates in Pakistan and is the home of several important academic and research institutions.

Geography and climate
Karachi is located in southern Pakistan in the north of Arabian Sea. Physically it is mostly comprises flat or rolling plains with hills on the western and northern boundaries of the urban sprawl. Two rivers pass through the city: the Malir River ( north east to centre) and the Lyari River ( north to south). The Karachi Harbour is a protected bay to the south west of the city. The southern limit of the city is the Arabian Sea and forms a chain of warm water beaches that are rich in natural beauty.
Karachi is located on the coast and as a result has a relatively mild climate. The level of precipitation is low for most of the year. However, due to the city's proximity to the sea, humidity levels usually remain high throughout the year. The city enjoys mild winters and hot summers. Since summer temperatures are quite high (the end of April through the end of August are approximately 35 to 40 degrees Celsius), the winter months (November through March) are the best time to visit Karachi.

Administrative towns :
Baldia Town
Bin Qasim Town
Gadap Town
Gulberg Town
Gulshan Town
Kiamari Town
Korangi Town
Jamshed Town
Landhi Town
Liaquatabad Town
Lyari Town
New Karachi Town
North Nazimabad Town
Malir Town
Orangi Town
Saddar Town
Shah Faisal Town
SITE Town

Sites of interest:
Mazar-e-Quaid (Mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan- Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
Koocha-e-Saqafat (National Arts Council)
Mohatta Palace Museum
Masjid e Tooba
I.I. Chundrigar Road (Karachi's "Wall street")
Aga Khan Hospital (for its modernist Islamic architecture)
Teen Talwar (Three Swords) Monument

Beaches and Waterfront
Clifton Sea View seafront
Hawkesbay Beach(breeding ground for endangered turtles)
Paradise Point (a rock promontory in the sea with a natural arch)
Sandspit Beach
French Beach
Russian Beach
Fishing and Crabbing on Keamari and Manora
Creek Club Karachi (offers boating in the creek areas)
Clifton Pavilion and the Jehangir Kothari Parade
Clifton Beach Park
Port Fountain Jet (600ft high pressure water fountain)
Defence Golf Club
Park Towers Shopping Mall
Zamzama Commercial Area (famous for its designer outlets and cafes)
World Wildlife Centre
Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar (mausoleum of Karachi's Sufi saint)
Ibn-e-Qasim Park

Museums
Mazar-e-Quaid Museum
Mohatta Palace Museum
Pakistan Air Force Museum
Pakistan Maritime Museum
National Museum of Pakistan
Karachi Expo Centre

Colonial Buildings
Mereweather Tower
Frere Hall
Governor's House
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Joseph's Convent
St. Anthony's Church
Trinity Church
Sindh High Court
Former Victoria Museum (later used by the Supreme Court)
Sindh Club
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building
Hindu Gymkhana (now National Academy of Performing Arts NAPA)
Empress Market
D.J. College

Islands
Clifton Oyster Rocks
Manora Island
Bundle Island
Bhit Shah
Shah Bandar
Churna Island (Naval gunnery site, as well as Pakistan's only coral reefs)

Amusement Parks
PIA Planetariam
Aladin Park
Sindbad
Hill Park
Safari Park
Karachi Zoo (AKA Gandhi garden)
Taleemi Baagh
Cosy Water Park
Samzu Park
Fun Land
Play Land
Fiesta Park
Dream World Resort
Dolphin Park
Askari Park

Food
Boat Basin
Bahadurabad
Burnes Road
Hyderabad Colony

Karachi coastal area:
Karachi coastal area is nearly 60 km in length; main and important places are the following:
Port Qasim Area
Ibrahim Hyderi/ Korangi Beach
Marine Drive Area, DHA
Clifton Beach
Manora Island
Boating Basin
Chinna Creek
Sandspit
Hawks Bay
French Beach
Cape Monze

Education:
Karachi has the highest literacy rates in Pakistan and highest number of universities and other educational institutions. Some prominent institutions are as follows:
NED University of Engineering and Technology
Aga Khan University
Baqai Medical University,
University of Karachi
Institute of Business Administration (IBA)
FAST - National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Indus Valley Institute of Art and Architecture
Bahria University
Textile Institute of Pakistan
Mohammad Ali Jinnah University
Dow University of Health Science
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology
Shaheed Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST)
Hamdard University
H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry,
Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC)
Institute of Business and Management (IBM)
Jinnah University for Women
Dawood College of Engineering and Technology
[PAF-KIET] Pakistan Air Force-Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology