Located in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, this beautiful sculpture of rock, forged by nature itself is called the Princess of Hope. Until a few years ago this sculpture was completely unnoticed or probably ignored. Maybe, no one stopped to take a closer look or cared to wonder about how magnificent this marvel of nature is. This sculpture of rock looks like a Princess standing with large crown or turban over her head. It’s becoming a popular place for tourists.

Not much is known about the history of this statue and the mystery surrounding it makes it even more majestic and just makes you wonder about it. I wonder how long it’s gonna stay like this given the rains and winds in the area which are constantly modifying its shape. I think steps should be taken to try to conserve its shape, like perhaps building an enclosure around it, to prevent high pressure winds and rainfall from eroding its shape.

Facts about the Princess of Hope:

• The statue lies in the Hingol National Park near the Makran Coast in Gwadar, Balochistan.
• It’s about 190km away Karachi and about 717km away from the provincial capital, Quetta.
• It was named ‘Princess of Hope’ by actress Angelina Jolie when she visited the area in 2002 as a Goodwill ambassador from the United Nations.
• The statue was created due to winds and strong rains in the area for centuries. Erosion and winds from the Arabian sea have carved out the rocky terrain into a beautiful noble woman.
• Historians believe that this statue of rock is at least 750 years old.
• Not far away is another famous natural rock formation that resembles the man-made Giant Sphinx Pyramid in Giza, Egypt.

However, since people started visiting the statue, many have scribbled their names or other text on the statue and this is destroying the overall beauty of the Princess. Local government says they are taking steps to prevent this, and will fine people who vandalize the Princess of Hope.

The Karakum Desert is located in Central Asia. It’s name originates from Turkic languages and the meaning of Karakum is “Black Sand”. The Karakum Desert stretches a distance of 800 miles from the center of Turkmenistan towards the direction of Afghanistan. Though the desert contains nothing but lots of sun-scorched dunes, as well as very little vegetation, it is still a famous tourist attraction.

Following are some informative facts about the Karakum Desert:

• This burning desert occupies roughly about 70% of Turkmenistan.
• It is considered to be the hottest of all Central Asia’s deserts. Yet, despite this fact, it is still able to provide ample support for some settlements. Two of these settlements are Mary and Tejen which are known for growing cotton.
• Rain fall in this area averages out to about 70 to 150 mm per year.
• On average, there is 1 person per 6.5km² of desert.
• It occupies an area of 350000km² making it the 13th largest desert in the world.
• In the heart of the Karakum Desert is the famous Darvaza Gas Crater also know as the ‘Door to Hell’. The crater was part of a natural gas field that collapsed in the 70s, into an underground cave. To prevent methane gas from spreading in the atmosphere, geologists set the methane filled crater on fire. Even after more than 40 years the methane hasn’t burnt out and the crater is still on fire.The total area of the crater is 5350m². It has a total diameter of 69m and a depth of about 30m. The Darwaza Crater is an important tourist attraction because of this phenomena.
• The desert is also home to a mountain range called the Bolshoi (Big) Balkan Range. Archaeologists have found human remains from the stone age, in these mountains.
• Alexander The Great once marched his 60000 strong army through the desert.

The Siachen Glacier is situated within the eastern Karakoram range. The glacier itself has a height of more than 5400m and a length of more than 7600m making it the longest in the Karakoram range. It is considered to be the second largest, amid the world’s non-polar locations.

Here are some facts about Siachen Glacier that are very interesting:

• The Siachen Glacier is named from two Balti lanaguage words. These words are “Sia” which stands for a rose plant that is found in the region and the word “Chun.” Chun means an object or item that is available in abundance. The name of Siachen is supposed to note a land that is abundant in roses. The glacier was given its name by a man named Tom Longstaff.
• The total area covered by the Siachen glacial system is approximately 700km².
• Temperatures over the glacier can reach as low as 50°C.
• The Siachen Glacier has been an area of dispute between both Pakistan and India. Each country claims control over this glacier region and this has been going on for a very long time. Both countries have been sending military forces to this area since 1984.
• This area still remains unpopulated and the only presence in Siachen is military forces from India and Pakistan.
• Due to the military presence from Pakistan and India it is known as the highest battlefield on earth.
• The waters that come from the melting of the Siachen Glacier are responsible for being the main source that feeds the Indus River. The Nubra River is located in the Indian region of Ladakh. The Nubra River drains directly into the Shyok River. The Shyok River in turn connects to the Indus River, which is 3,000 kilometers long, and which flows through Pakistan. This glacier helps to feed the largest irrigation system in the world.
• There are existing environment issues within the Siachen Glacier. It was undisturbed by humans until 1984, when the military forces of both Pakistan and India occupied the area. It caused melting of the glacier and the presence of pollution, which has strongly affected the ecosystem there.
• The Siachen Glacier is going through a glacier retreat. According to a survey that was conducted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department in 2007, Siachen has been steadily retreating the last 30 years, and it is gradually melting away at a very alarming rate. A reason for this recent glacier retreat is obvious, and that is due to, chemical blasting that is performed to construct camps and posts for the military forces.
• The temperature at Siachen is estimated to be rising at an average of 0.2°C per year.

The Siachen Glacier is a natural wonder to behold, but it is gradually being lost, as the days go by. It is not a place for mankind to encroach upon. Because of the existing dispute between India and Pakistan, the whole ecosystem and future of Siachen is in jeopardy. If steps aren’t taken to conserve it, this gigantic piece of ice will melt away.

Ansoo Lake is a nature’s wonder located in Northern Pakistan. The lake is famous for having the shape of a tear drop. Ansoo lake and its surroundings offer a breathtaking view and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists.

Facts about this lake:

• The lake is named Ansoo because it’s shaped like a teardrop. The word Ansoo means ‘teardrop’ in Urdu, hence the name Ansoo Lake. So ‘Ansoo lake’ translates to ‘teardrop lake’ in English.
• The lake is located at a height of about 4250m near the Malika Parbat mountain in the Himalayas.
• Before 1993 the lake was completely unknown to everyone. Even the locals were unaware about the lake.
• It was discovered by a Pakistan Air Force pilot in 1993 who was flying low during the area.
• The lake can be reached by trekking from either the Saiful Muluk lake or by trekking from the Mahandri village via the Manoor village. It takes about 6-12 hours to reach the lake depending on the which route one goes by.
• The lake is however in a valley surrounded by steep ridges so it’s dangerous to go near it, especially during the winter. Even the locals discourage to go near it.
• Sometimes during winter ice caps form on the lake. The snow surrounding the lake and the ice caps on the lake surface give it the shape of a human eye.
• Locals have associated many stories and myths with the lake. The most famous one involves a human prince who falls in love with a fairy and a villainous giant who’s also in love with the fairy. Apparently the fairy chose to be with the prince and the giant cried in rage. One of his tear drop formed the lake.
• One is considered lucky to get a clear view of the lake because most of the time, the lake is covered in fog or its raining.
• So, the best time to visit the lake is during July and August.
• The lake was partially destroyed by the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake.
• There’s no place to stay at the lake and it’s not recommended to camp near it, because of the sudden climate changes the area is prone to.

Although it’s becoming a tourist paradise and becoming popular day by day there’s so much we don’t know about the lake’s geography. Hopefully someday it will catch the interest of scientists who are interested to learn about the lake’s geography. Maybe they can tell us more about Ansoo Lake and shed some light on how it was formed.

Located approximately 25km away from the mainland, Astola is the largest offshore island of Pakistan. The island is uninhabited, and this has allowed marine and wildlife to flourish there.

The island has no hotels or place to stay, so if anyone decides to stay on the island they must bring their own camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags and blankets.

Some Info About the Island:

• According to a Greek historian the island was discovered by Alexander the Great’s naval fleet.
• The island has a length of 6.7km and a width of 2.3km.
• It has an area of approximately 6.7km²
• Wildlife flourishes on the island. Astola’s beaches are a nesting ground for the Green Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Sea Turtle. Both of these turtle species are endangered.
• The island has little vegetation that includes just a few shrubs and trees.
• It has an old lighthouse that’s not used anymore.
• The water near the shore is transparent and you can see the turtles and fish swimming inside the sea.
• Astola also has a small mosque which is used by fishermen who come from the mainland.
• There are also the ruins of an ancient temple on the island. The temple belonged to the Hindu Goddess Kali.
• The highest point of the island is 75m above sea level. It takes about 3 hours to reach the island from the mainland.

Unfortunately, the ecosystem of the island has been somewhat damaged. Cats and rats left behind by fishermen from the mainlands, have been a threat to turtle and bird nesting sites on the island.