Happy TravellerWelcome to Abbottabad, a picturesque city located in the Hazara region of eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Founded in the early 1850s by a British military officer, James Abbott, Abbottabad is a city steeped in history and culture. Today, it is the capital city of Abbottabad District and the fourth largest city in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by population.
Topographically, Abbottabad is situated in the Orash Valley, lying between 34°92′N latitude and 73°13′E longitude at an altitude of 1,256 m (4,121 ft). To the north is the picturesque Kaghan Valley. The city has a humid subtropical climate, with mild to warm temperatures during the spring and autumn months, hot temperatures during June and July, and cool to mild temperatures during the winter. The temperature can rise as high as 38 °C (100 °F) during the mid-summer months and drop below −5 °C (23 °F) during the extreme cold waves. Snowfall occurs occasionally in December and January, though it is sparse, while heavy rainfall occurs during the monsoon season stretching from July to September that frequently cause flooding in lower lying parts of the city.
Abbottabad has been attracting tourists to the city since the colonial era, as it is a major transit point to all major tourist regions of Pakistan such as Nathiagali, Ayubia and Naran. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, the town is picturesquely situated at the southern corner of the Rash (Orash) plain, 1,256 m (4,121 ft) above the sea. The Karakoram Highway, which traces one of the paths of the ancient Silk Road, starts from Hasan Abdal on the N5 and heads north passing through the city, eventually reaching Khunjerab Pass. The Karakorum Highway is a major attraction itself for its views. The Karakoram, Himalayas and the Hindu Kush ranges can be approached from Abbottabad, and it continues to be a transit city for tourists, serving as a base for visiting nearby places, such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan, of the Karakoram Range.
Abbottabad is home to the Pakistan Military Academy, a coeducational federal service military academy that provides training to the officers of the Pakistan Army. The academy has three training battalions and 12 companies. Another 2,000 guests each year, from over 34 countries, receive some training at PMA. The city has a wide variety of post-secondary institutions, such as Ayub Medical College, Frontier Medical College, COMSATS University of Science and Technology, and the University of Engineering & Technology.
Abbottabad has a very healthy literacy rate approximately 56% on an average. The city has a young demographic (ages 15–30) due to the large number of students who have come from across the country to study in its schools, for example PIPS, Army Burn Hall College, Army Public College Kakul and Abbottabad Public School.
Abbottabad is also known for its mouthwatering local cuisine, which includes dishes such as chapli kebab, pulao, and haleem. The city has a variety of restaurants and cafes that offer both traditional and modern cuisine.
In recent years, Abbottabad has gained worldwide attention due to the presence of Osama bin Laden, founder of the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, who held refuge at a compound in Abbottabad, where he was shot and killed by U.S. Forces on 2 May 2011. Despite this, Abbottabad remains a peaceful and welcoming city, with much to offer to visitors. Come and explore the rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisine of Abbottabad, Pakistan.
