Abbottabad

Abbottabad (Urdu: ایبٹ آباد) is the principal city of the Abbottabad District in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan. It is 4120 feet (1256 m) above sea level, is located 63 miles (101 km) from Rawalpindi, and 52 miles from Kohala Bridge.

The city is much like a valley and is also called 'The City of the Maple Trees'. The name was given to Abbottabad because prior to the early 1980s, large maple trees lined the main highway cutting through Abbottabad en route to Mansehra, a road from Murree. These trees were cut down to widen the Mansehra Road.

Demographics

In 1998 the population of Abbottabad District was 881,000. According to the 1998 census, over 94% of population speak Hindko as their first language, the other first languages are Pushto and Urdu.The national language of Pakistan Urdu is understood by everyone and English is widely used in business and education.

Education

Religious Education

Madaris offer relgious education to Muslims of Abbottabad. The madaris offer various programs ranging from those meant for small kids just for recitation (Nazira) of Quran and memorization(Hifiz) of Quran to those which offer graduate degrees in Islamic Jurisprudence, Philosphy and Religion.

Church and convent offers religious education to the sizable population of Christians in Abbottabad.

Child Care Centers

Urbanization of Abbottabad had its effects on the society. The busy schedule of citizens of Abbottabad in commercial, academic and industrial ventures led to the need of having child care centers. Many child care centers are available in the city.

Primary, Secondary and Intermediate Education

With its good weather and beautiful landscape, Abbottabad attracts people from all over Pakistan, some for tourism but many by its educational institutions. Abbottabad (sometimes called 'The City of Schools') is home to a number of schools, colleges and training institutes. These educational institutions help to promote a high standard of education in the entire region. There are many private boarding schools which are famous for providing quality education.List of Schools in Abbottabad.

Military Education

The many military training institutes like the Pakistan Military Academy,Kakul and the Regimental Training Centers of the Pakistan Army are institutions imparting education in warfare and millitary affairs.

Medical Education

Abbottabad has significant number of institutions catering higher education. Abbottabad has four Medical Colleges. Ayub Medical College is one of the oldest and mature medical universities of Pakistan. Other private colleges like Frontier Medical College are also growing in stature.

Higher Education

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology provides education in diverse areas of information technology, engineering and management. The Government Post Graduate College offers higher education at Bachelors and Masters degree in literature, natural sciences and exact sciences. It is situated in the heart of the city. It has 10 important department at postgraduate level. The total strength of the students is more than 4500. The college attracts students from all over N-W.F.P. Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University also have study centers spread throughout Abbottabad. Al-Khair University has its presence in Abbottabad.

Technical Education

Abbottabad has significant number of Technical Institutions like GPTI Government Polytechnical Instiute in which the number of diplomas in different fields like DAE (Diploma in Associate Engineering).

There are many institutions which provide vocational training to young people. The most popular among these are computer institutes which are present in and around Abbottabad. Many young people opt for these institutions before going to unviersities for higher degrees. Such institutions are generally affiliated with Board of Technical Education, Peshawar.

Tourism

Tourism is one of the important sources of economic activity in Abbottabad (or the whole mountaineous Northern Areas of Pakistan for that matter). In summer when temperatures in the plains of Pakistan rise to well above 45 degrees, large number of tourists come to Abbottabad to shelter from blistering heat and further up towards mountaineous north. The Karakoram Highway, which traces one of the paths of the ancient Silk Road, starts from Havelian 15 km south of the Abbottabad town, and passes through the city. The Karakorum Highway is an attraction for the adventure tourists. Abbottabad is the last big town, the first mild-weather tourist city in Northern Pakistan for the tourists coming from the plains in the south.

Places of Tourism

The Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindukush mountains can be approached from Abbottabad. Abbottabad continues to be a transit city for tourists, serving as a base for visits to numerous nearby places, such ase Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan, of the Karakoram Range.

While other hill stations are deserted during the winter Abbottabad has visitors due to its mild winters. Gardens include the Jinnah Garden, Ladies Garden, and another garden maintained by the Cantonment Board. At the back of the station, to the West, is the Brigade Center. There is a state-of-the-art cricket stadium, owned by Pakistan Cricket Board, located on Muree Road. The Cantonment area of Abbottabad is still very British. The European bungalows, the club, the church and cemetery are still there. Abbottabad is an hour's drive from Nathiagali, the summer capital of the North West Frontier Province.

Ayubia Chair Lifts

Ayubia is 38 km east of Abbottabad. A cluster of four small hill stations of Khanaspur, Khairagali, Changlagali and Ghora Dhaka is called Ayubia and was named after former President Ayub Khan. The complex is spread over an area of 26 KM. The central place of Ghora Dhaka has chair lifts.

Dungagali

Dungagali is a small resort situated on the slopes of the Mukshpuri hill (2,376 meters.). It commands a view of a series of wooded spurs projecting towards the river Jhelum on the western side. From Dungagali one can climb the 2,813 meters peak of Mukhshpuri, which is the highest point in the range. Natural springs abound on the slopes. It is 34 KM from Abbottabad.

Nathiagali

Nathiagali is clad in pine, walnut, oak and maple trees. It can be approached both from Murree and Abbottabad. It is 32 KM from Abbottabad as well as from Murree. Nathiagali is 2501 meter above sea level and is surrounded by mountains.

Thandiani

Thandiani meaning “cold” in the local language, is one of the highest places of district Abbottabd at an altitude of 2,700 m. It is 31 KM from Abbottabad City and 25 KM via Thandiani. The drive takes more or less 80 minutes from Abbottabad with lovely views on both sides of the road. The road rises more than 1,219 meters above Abbottabad. The major place on the way is Kalapani at 23 KM from Abbottabad. Hule Ka Danna is about two KM North of Thandiani.

History

Abbottabad was a city of British India, the headquarters of Hazara Division (then a district), and named after its founder, Major James Abbott. Abbott settled this district in 1853 after the annexation of the Punjab, and became its first Deputy Commissioner. It was an important military cantonment and sanatorium, being the headquarters of a brigade in the second division of the northern army corps. In 1901 the population of the town and cantonment was 7764. Before leaving Abbottabad, Major Abbott wrote a poem titled 'Abbottabad'.

References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.