Karachi

Talking about the most populous cities in the world, then yes, Karachi is undoubtedly one of them. According to a survey, Karachi is the most populated city in Pakistan and fifth-most populous world-wide. It is also the philanthropic, educational, political, and cultural hub of Pakistan.
Besides, Karachi has the two largest seaports, the Port of Karachi and the Port Bin Qasim that are used to handle 60% of the country’s cargo. Other than this, the city also has the busiest airport known as the Jinnah International Airport. 

History:

The history of the city dates back to the Ancient Greeks. The region is also considered to be the site of Krokola, the place where Alexander the Great camped to set up the force for Babylonia. Other than this, in 711 CE Muhammad Bin Qasim also captured the Indus and Sindh Valley and is known to Debal and Arabs, as it was the place that Muhammad Bin Qasim used to launch his forces in South-Asia. 

In 1729, Karachi was initially founded as the community of Kolachi, which was ruled by the Baloch Talpur Mirs of Sindh. The founders arrived from the Karak Bandar because of the harbors that had silted there because of the heavy rains. Later, the settlement was reinforced. This was when the name Karachee was used initially in the Dutch documents. The city was then ruled by the Talpur Mirs, after which the forces of John Keane occupied it in February 1839. 

Geography:

The city is situated on the coastline of Sindh, along the Arabian Sea. The town is comprised of hills, rocky outcroppings, and also the coastal marshlands. To the west side of the city is the Cape Monze, which is known as the Ras Muari by the locals of the town, which consists of sea cliffs, sandstones, and some beaches that are not fully developed yet. Other than this, there are two small ranges within the city as well – Khasa Hills and Mulri Hills. These hills lie in northwest of the town and play a role of a barrier between the Orangi Town and North Nazimabad. 

Climate:

With an arid climate, Karachi is usually dominated by long summers that are generally moderated by the influence of the Arabian Sea. The city experiences high Monsoon Season during July and August. The summers are usually quite humid and hot; however, they cold breezes from the sea provide bit of a relief. Karachi is also prone to extreme heat waves that can be fatal at times, as well. 

Winters in Karachi are usually dry that begin in December and end in February. It is a bit dull but relatively pleasant to the summers.

People:

Karachi’s growth rate increased up to 3.49% back in 1981-1998, according to which most of the analysts predicted that the population of Karachi by2017 would be 22-30 million. However, because of the weak economy, inadequate infrastructure, and law and order situation, majority of the people avoided migrating to the city. 

Moving on to the ethnicity, the majority of the people are Balochi and Sindhi from the earliest settlements. However, many Hindus also migrated from India and settled in Karachi. Besides Hindus, Muslims from India also migrated and settled in Karachi. 

Karachi has several non-Urdu speaking people. You’ll find numerous Gujarati, Marathi, and Konaki speaking refugees. However, you’ll also find people who speak Urdu, Sindhi, Siraiki, and Balochi.   

Tourist spots:

Karachi – one of the places in Pakistan with the most tourist spots and attractions. There is a big list of different areas, however, there are a few which you want to see. Have a look.

Churna Island:

If you are a fan of the sea and islands, then this is the place you’d never want to miss. Yes, I’m talking about Churna Island, which is only two-hour away from central Karachi. There are tons of different activities you can indulge in like swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, admiring the island’s beautiful reef, and gazing at the multitude of fantastic sea creatures. 

Mohatta Palace: 

Mohatta Palace represents the art, culture, architecture, and values of the city. It was built by a Hindu Prince back in 1925 and is used as a museum and an art gallery now. As a tourist, you can enjoy numerous thought-provoking exhibitions that are held in the Mohatta Palace now and then. Moreover, the Palace is surrounded by different trees and Renaissance-style statues. The overall palace exhibits the Rajasthani-style structure that shows the culture of the city. 

Turtle Beach:

One of the most famous beaches, Turtle Beach, is primarily known for its turtle spotting. If you are a fan of trying out something new as well, then this is the place you should visit. The Turtle Beach is a perfect place for spotting the turtles, especially during the mid-winters or when its mild cold because that is the time they usually come out to lay eggs in the sand. 

Frere Hall:

Frere Hall was completed back in 1865 and was first planned to serve as the town hall of the city. However, later, it became an exhibition space and is also a library now. Beautiful green gardens surround the Frere Hall because of which it is considered as the main tourist attraction. The hall is located in Saddar district and is the home to different picturesque colonial architecture. 

Hotels:

Since we all know that Karachi is the hub of tourism, therefore, you’ll find a variety of hotels and guest houses to stay in. The city has some of the best five-star hotels with exclusive services and luxurious rooms. Besides the five star hotels you’ll also find 3-star hotels at reasonable prices. Moreover, the city has several guest houses in almost every area. These guest houses are perfectly suitable for people wanting to save some extra bucks on the stay. Most of the guesthouses and hotels provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with room services. 

Restaurants:

Whether you are looking for fast food chains or desi Pakistani cuisines, you’ll find everything here. Karachi has some of the most exceptional hotels that offer an array of cuisines ranging from Asian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Thai, Italian, and Indian. Moreover, some of the world-famous diners are also located in Karachi. There are numerous restaurants in Malls where you can try different kinds of food without roaming around much. Karachi is also quite famous for its street food. Biryani, Nihari, Gol Gappa, Haleem, etc. are some of the most common and renowned street foods which you never want to miss. 

Health and security:

Health:

You’ll find both private and government hospitals in Karachi that provide first aid services, emergency treatment, and every kind of health care service. All the hospital has proficient and highly-skilled staff that deals with the issues professionally. The ambulance service in Karachi is exceptional, as well. By calling 1122 you can take assistance and first aid services from the trained ambulance staff. The ambulance usually arrives in 10-15 minutes making medical services convenient for you. Moreover, hospitals deal with almost every kind of medical health issue. Whether you are looking for a dentist, gynecologist, cardiologist, oncologist or general physician, you can easily find highly-skilled practitioners in hospitals in Karachi.   

Security:

You can avail immediate ambulance services by dialing 1122 in case of emergencies. Most of the ambulance. 

Medical Stores:

You’ll find hundreds of medical stores almost everywhere in Karachi. There is a wide variety of health care products and drugs in Karachi medical stores. Ranging from pain killers to antibiotics and allopathic medicines, you can easily purchase a wide variety of medications from medical stores and pharmacies. You can also buy drugs like painkillers without any prescription. Trained pharmacists are usually appointed, who assure that you are provided with the right dosage and medicines. So, in case of emergency you’ll find many pharmacies in Karachi easily. 

Security:

Police stations:

To provide safety and security for the tourists as well as the locals, the police are always there at your service. There are police stations all over the city. No matter where you are, you can always call the nearest police station for safety. Whether you are in Clifton or Ferozabad, you can easily find police stations if you seem in trouble. 

Shopping:

Karachi is known for its shopping centers, plazas, and malls. You can shop at some of the most famous malls for brands or visit the local stores to get the specialty of Karachi. Karachi is also known to have some of the cheapest stuff in Pakistan. Whether you are looking for stitched dresses or unstitched, crockery, or decorations, shoes, or accessories, electronics or gadgets, you can easily find almost everything in the local market as well as the malls in Karachi. 

Transport: 

Taxi, bus, Careem, Uber, and rickshaw services are available for tourists as well as the locals. 

Important phone numbers:

Significant phone numbers of Karachi;

Ferozabad Police Station: (021) 34223637

Landhi Fire Station: (021) 35015888

Pakistan Post Karachi City GPO: (021) 99217251