Abbottabad

Abbottabad is a city in Abbottabad District within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, sitting at roughly 1,256 meters elevation. Mountain ranges surround the urban area and create a temperate climate in an otherwise hot region.

Major James Abbott founded the settlement in 1853 as a British military base and replaced Haripur as capital of the Hazara administrative region. The British chose this location for its elevation and strategic position.

The Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul trains officer cadets and shapes the urban character through its military presence. Students from institutions like Ayub Medical College bring energy to the streets and markets.

Regular bus services from Islamabad and Rawalpindi reach the city in roughly three hours along mountain roads. The cooler elevation makes light jackets advisable during evenings and winter months.

The city name combines the founder's surname with the Persian suffix »abad«, meaning settlement and common across the region. This naming pattern reflects Persian language traditions shaped by centuries of Mughal rule.

Location: Abbottabad District

Inception: 1853

Elevation above the sea: 1,256 m

Website: http://abbottabad.gov.pk

GPS coordinates: 34.14361,73.21327

Latest update: December 15, 2025 09:25