Karachi is the
capital of Sindh Province and the largest city in Pakistan. It is
the number one business city in Pakistan as well. With its
wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse
racing all-year round you cannot get bored here.
As Karachi faces the Arabian sea, it
is also a major port, which along with its international airport act
as a hub for international trade, transport, manufacturing and
commerce. Karachi is the center of commerce although the capital was
moved to Islamabad in 1963. All major banks have their headquarters
in Karachi which even has its own stock exchange the Karachi Stock
Exchange (KSE).
Karachi Harbor, due to its
geographical and strategic location was known as the gateway to
Asia. Considered as a safe Harbor since time immemorial. An Ancient
settlement, Karachi was a small fishing village in the early
Nineteenth Century. Historians identify it with its proximity to a
place from where a part of Alexander's Army, boarded the Greek
Flotilla in 326 B.C.
The bay
also has its tourist side with 'bunder boating'. Flat
boats which you can hire as a group to take you out into
the bay to 'catch crabs', which basically means sit and
eat pre-caught crabs and local delicacies that they will
supply and enjoy any snacks and drinks you've brought
along with you. But it still means that you can
purchase the world famous 'I've caught crabs in Karachi'
t.shirts! Be careful with your cameras though, they're
very strict that you don't take photos of the military
fleet.
Near
Karachi are many old cities with more historic sights
that can be visited as daytrips.
Karachi has always
played host to foreign visitors and most locals will be
polite, but it is important to remember local custom and
not to offend. It is best to avoid being out and about
in town on Friday afternoons, most things are closed
then anyway, so this is a good time to take yourself to
your hotel pool or the golf course.
Role in the National Economy:
Karachi generates about 15 % of the national GDP, 42% of
value added in large scale manufacturing and 25 % of the
revenues of the Federal Government. The city’s economy
is large and diverse, and, with largest and most dynamic
Industrial complex in the country viz Sindh Industrial &
Trading Estate ( SITE ), Korangi Industrial & Trade
Estate, North Karachi Industrial & Trade Estate etc. The
industries produce a wide variety of goods, from
textiles to chemicals, steel and machinery. Karachi
offers an ideal location for business. There is scope
for expansion of tertiary sector and retail trade. The
city has the main offices of Banks, Insurance companies
etc.
Karachi is the country’s principal urban center, being
more than twice the size of the next largest city.
Karachi is also the transport hub of the nation: it
contains the country’s two major ports i.e., the port of
Karachi and Port Mohammad Bin Qasim as well as
Pakistan’s largest International Airport. The city is
expected to maintain its dominant role as a major
industrial and commercial center over the next decade.
Karachi has a vast coastline from Cape Monze in the west
to Gharo in the east. Gadani and the Sonmiani Coast of
Balochistan adjoining to Karachi have extremely fine
beaches, while the beaches and islands of Karachi
provide rare opportunities for recreation and tourism.
The Arabian Sea is a regional resource for food supplies
and deep-sea fishing.
Climate:
Karachi is located on semi-arid zone but due to marine
affects, it enjoys a moderate climate. May and June are
hottest months of the year with temperature as high as
43.3 degree centigrade while January is the coldest
month with temperature as low as 5 degree centigrade.
The mean annual rainfall is about 7 inches. normal">
