Abbottabad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abbottabad
ایبٹ آباد
|
|
|---|---|
|
City
|
|
   
From top, left to right:
City view, Mushkpuri top, view of Abbottabad from Shimla Hill |
|
 Abbottabad
Location in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Abbottabad
Location in Pakistan
Abbottabad
Location in Asia
|
|
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Division | Hazara |
| District | Abbottabad |
| Founded | 1863 |
| Government | |
| • Body | District Government |
| Elevation | 1,256 m (4,121 ft) |
| Population
(2023)
|
|
| • City | 275,890 |
| • Rank | 40th, Pakistan; 4th, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Abbottabad Cantonment: 138,311 Abbottabad Municipal Committee: 107,369 |
|
| Demonym(s) | Abbottabadi |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PKT) |
| Calling code | 0992 |
| Number of Union Councils | 6 |
Abbottabad is a city in the Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. It is the 40th largest city in Pakistan and the 6th largest in its province. Abbottabad is the main city of its district. It is located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. The city sits at an elevation of 1,256 meters (4,121 feet) above sea level. Kashmir is also very close to the east.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Abbottabad comes from two parts. The first part is the name of the city's founder, Major James Abbott. The second part, ābād, is a Persian word meaning "settlement" or "town of". So, Abbottabad means "Abbott's Town".
A Look Back: History of Abbottabad
Abbottabad was founded in the early 1850s by a British military officer named James Abbott. He was part of the British army in India. The city replaced Haripur as the capital of the Hazara area.
In 1901, the British created a new province called the North-West Frontier Province. Abbottabad became a part of this new province.
After Pakistan became independent in 1947, the people of the North-West Frontier Province voted to join Pakistan. Later, in 1970, the Hazara Division was formed, and Abbottabad became its capital.
Abbottabad is also home to the Pakistan Military Academy. This is where officers for the Pakistan Army are trained. It was established in 1947.
In October 2005, a big earthquake hit the Kashmir region. Abbottabad was affected, and many older buildings were damaged or destroyed.
On May 2, 2011, Abbottabad became known worldwide. This was because Osama bin Laden, a leader of a group called al-Qaeda, was found and killed in a compound in the city by U.S. forces. The compound where he lived was later taken down by Pakistani authorities.
Who Lives in Abbottabad?
Abbottabad is a city where people from many different backgrounds live. The population has grown a lot over the years. In 2017, the city had a population of about 245,670 people. Most people in Abbottabad follow the religion of Islam. There are also smaller groups of Christians and Hindus living in the city.
Where is Abbottabad Located?
Abbottabad is located in the Orash Valley. It is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. To the north of the city, you can find the very scenic Kaghan Valley. The city sits at an altitude of 1,256 meters (4,121 feet).
What's the Weather Like?
Abbottabad has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has mild to warm weather in spring and autumn. Summers, especially in June and July, can be hot. Winters are cool to mild.
Sometimes, it snows in December and January, but usually not a lot. Heavy rain falls during the monsoon season, which is from July to September. This rain can sometimes cause flooding in lower areas of the city.
| Climate data for Abbottabad | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
14.5 (58.1) |
19.2 (66.6) |
24.0 (75.2) |
29.1 (84.4) |
33.7 (92.7) |
30.8 (87.4) |
28.9 (84.0) |
28.6 (83.5) |
25.7 (78.3) |
20.5 (68.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
23.6 (74.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 7.5 (45.5) |
9.3 (48.7) |
13.6 (56.5) |
18.1 (64.6) |
22.8 (73.0) |
27.3 (81.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
23.2 (73.8) |
19.3 (66.7) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
18.0 (64.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.4 (36.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
8.1 (46.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
16.5 (61.7) |
21.0 (69.8) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
13.0 (55.4) |
8.1 (46.6) |
4.5 (40.1) |
12.4 (54.3) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 77 (3.0) |
104 (4.1) |
123 (4.8) |
99 (3.9) |
69 (2.7) |
76 (3.0) |
252 (9.9) |
244 (9.6) |
98 (3.9) |
43 (1.7) |
29 (1.1) |
48 (1.9) |
1,262 (49.6) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org | |||||||||||||
Tourism and Fun Things to Do
Abbottabad has always been a popular place for tourists. It's a key stop for people traveling to other beautiful parts of Pakistan. These include places like Nathiagali, Ayubia, and Naran. The city is known for its pretty location in the Orash plain.
The Karakoram Highway passes through Abbottabad. This famous highway follows parts of the ancient Silk Road. It offers amazing views and is an attraction itself. From Abbottabad, you can reach the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. It's a great starting point for trips to places like Hunza, Gilgit, and Skardu.
An exciting new amusement park is being built in the city. It will cover 50 acres and will have a zoo, adventure sports, restaurants, and even artificial waterfalls!
Learning in Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city that values education. Many students from all over Pakistan come here to study. The city has a good number of schools and colleges. Some well-known schools include PIPS, Army Burn Hall College, and Abbottabad Public School.
For higher education, there are several universities and colleges. These include Ayub Medical College, Frontier Medical College, COMSATS University of Science and Technology, and the University of Engineering & Technology.
As mentioned earlier, Abbottabad is also home to the Pakistan Military Academy. This academy trains future officers for the Pakistan Army. It also provides training to guests from over 34 other countries each year.
In 2014, a report ranked Abbottabad 37th out of 146 districts in Pakistan for the quality of its education. This shows that the city is doing well in providing good education.
News and Media
Abbottabad has its own local media. Kay 2 TV is a local TV channel that broadcasts in the Hindko language. There are also several daily newspapers published in the city. These include Roznama AAJ, Roznama Shamal, and Kay 2 Times.
Sports in the City
Abbottabad has a professional cricket team called the Abbottabad Falcons. They play in national cricket tournaments. The city also has sports facilities like the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium and the Abbottabad Hockey Stadium.
Getting Around
The main way to get around Abbottabad is by using modified taxis.
For longer journeys, there are several bus services available. These include Daewoo Express, Niazi Express, NATCO, and Skyways.
The closest train station is in Havelian. This station is about a thirty-minute drive south of Abbottabad city center. It is the last and most northern station on Pakistan's railway network.
Images for kids
-
The Rock Aornos from Huzara. From Nature by James Abbott 1850
-
A sunset scene in Abbottabad
-
Sajikot Waterfall
-
Miranjani from Nathia Gali
-
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
-
Jalal Baba Auditorium
See also
In Spanish: Abbottabad para niños
