General Knowledge for PERA written test:
General Understanding of Geography of Punjab including (location and boundaries, topography and physical features, climate and weather patterns, soil and vegetation, agriculture and natural resources, demographic and economic features and environmental issues).
Location and boundaries of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Location | Eastern part of Pakistan |
| Latitude | 27°42′ to 34°02′ North |
| Longitude | 69°18′ to 75°23′ East |
| Northern Boundary | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Southern Boundary | Sindh Province |
| Eastern Boundary | India (states of Punjab and Rajasthan) |
| Western Boundary | Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) |
Topography and physical features
of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Landscape | Mostly flat and fertile plains with some hilly areas |
| Major Rivers | Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej |
| Plains | Part of the Indus River Plain, highly fertile land |
| Hills & Plateaus | Potohar Plateau in the north, Salt Range, and Margalla Hills |
| Desert | Thal Desert in the west and Cholistan Desert in the south |
| Soil Type | Alluvial soil, suitable for agriculture |
| Climate | Mostly arid to semi-arid, with hot summers and mild winters |
Climate and weather patterns of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Climate Type | Arid to semi-arid |
| Average Temperature (Summer) | 40°C to 45°C (104°F to 113°F) |
| Average Temperature (Winter) | 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) |
| Monsoon Season | June to September |
| Annual Rainfall | 400 to 1,200 mm (varies by region) |
| Humidity | High during monsoon, low in winter and summer |
| Prevailing Winds | South-west monsoon winds, dry winds from the west |
| Winter Weather | Cool and dry with occasional fog |
| Summer Weather | Hot and dry with occasional dust storms |
Soil and vegetation of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Soil Type | Primarily alluvial soil, rich in nutrients |
| Soil Fertility | Highly fertile, suitable for agriculture |
| Soil in Irrigated Areas | Fertile and well-drained due to irrigation from rivers |
| Soil in Desert Areas | Sandy and saline in regions like Thal and Cholistan |
| Vegetation | Mainly agricultural crops, grasslands, and trees |
| Common Crops | Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize, and barley |
| Forest Vegetation | Small forests of Acacia, Eucalyptus, and Shisham (indigenous trees) |
| Natural Vegetation | Shrubs and grasses in desert and hilly areas |
| Flora in Wetlands | Aquatic plants like lotus, reeds, and water grasses near riverbanks |
Agriculture and natural resources of Punjab
Agriculture
| Question | Answer |
| Main Agricultural Activity | Agriculture is the backbone of Punjab’s economy, with a focus on crop production |
| Major Crops | Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize, barley, and potatoes |
| Irrigation System | Extensive irrigation through the Indus River system, including canals, tube wells, and reservoirs |
| Area Under Cultivation | Approximately 70% of Punjab’s land is used for agricultural purposes |
| Farming Method | Primarily conventional farming, with some areas using modern technologies like drip irrigation and mechanization |
| Rice Production | Punjab is one of the largest rice-producing regions in Pakistan, especially Basmati rice |
| Wheat Production | Punjab produces around 70% of Pakistan’s wheat |
| Cotton Production | Cotton is another major crop, contributing significantly to the textile industry |
| Livestock | Punjab is the leading producer of livestock, including cattle, buffalo, and poultry |
| Agricultural Challenges | Water scarcity, soil salinity, and climate change pose significant challenges to agriculture |
| Government Initiatives | Programs to improve irrigation efficiency, increase crop yields, and reduce water wastage |
Natural resources of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Major Natural Resources | Water, soil, minerals, and forests |
| Water Resources | Extensive irrigation system from the Indus River and its tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej) |
| Mineral Resources | Coal, limestone, gypsum, salt, and marble |
| Coal Reserves | Punjab holds significant coal reserves, primarily in the Thar region, used for energy production |
| Limestone | Large deposits of limestone, used in cement production and construction |
| Salt | Khewra Salt Mine, one of the largest and oldest salt mines in the world |
| Forest Resources | Limited forests, mainly consisting of Acacia, Eucalyptus, and indigenous species |
| Agricultural Resources | Fertile land, rich soil, ideal for crop production, particularly wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane |
| Wildlife | Diverse wildlife, including the Punjab urial, leopards, wild boars, and various bird species |
| Energy Resources | Natural gas reserves and hydroelectric power generation potential from river systems |
| Renewable Resources | Solar and wind energy potential in some areas |
Demographic and economic features of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Population | Approximately 110 million (largest province in Pakistan by population) |
| Population Density | Around 400 people per square kilometer |
| Urbanization | About 40% of the population lives in urban areas, with Lahore being the largest city |
| Major Cities | Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sialkot, Gujranwala |
| Language | Punjabi (majority), Urdu, English |
| Religion | Predominantly Muslim (about 97%), with minorities of Hindus and Christians |
| Literacy Rate | Around 60-70%, with higher rates in urban areas |
| Labor Force | Majority employed in agriculture, followed by manufacturing and services |
| Agricultural Contribution | Over 70% of the province’s workforce is engaged in agriculture |
| GDP Contribution | Punjab contributes about 55-60% of Pakistan’s GDP |
| Major Industries | Textiles, cement, sugar, rice milling, food processing, chemicals, and fertilizer |
| Agriculture’s Role | Major contributor, particularly in wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane production |
| Economic Growth Rate | Steady economic growth, but challenges include water scarcity, energy shortages, and unemployment |
| Transportation | Well-developed road, rail, and air infrastructure, with Lahore being a major hub |
| Energy Resources | Hydroelectric, thermal power, and some natural gas reserves |
Environmental issues of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Water Scarcity | Over-reliance on irrigation; diminishing water resources in the Indus River system |
| Water Pollution | Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage contaminating rivers and water bodies |
| Soil Salinity | Increased salinity in irrigated areas, reducing soil fertility and agricultural productivity |
| Air Pollution | High levels of air pollution in cities like Lahore due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop burning |
| Deforestation | Loss of forests due to urbanization, illegal logging, and agricultural expansion |
| Desertification | Expansion of Thal and Cholistan deserts due to improper land use and overgrazing |
| Waste Management | Poor waste management systems, leading to littering and pollution in urban areas |
| Climate Change | Impact on agriculture, water availability, and increased frequency of extreme weather events |
| Biodiversity Loss | Threat to wildlife species and habitats due to urbanization, pollution, and habitat destruction |
| Flooding | Flooding during monsoon seasons due to inadequate drainage systems and deforestation |
Famous places of Punjab
| Question | Answer |
| Capital City | Lahore |
| Historical Site | Badshahi Mosque (Lahore) |
| Religious Site | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) (Amritsar, near Punjab, India) |
| Famous Fort | Lahore Fort |
| Historical Monument | Minar-e-Pakistan (Lahore) |
| Cultural Hub | Walled City of Lahore |
| Mausoleum | Tomb of Jahangir (Lahore) |
| Ancient City | Multan (known for its shrines and historical significance) |
| Rural Beauty | Neelum Valley (northern Punjab) |
| Educational Hub | University of the Punjab (Lahore) |
| Mountain Range | Salt Range (north of Punjab) |
| Riverfront | River Ravi (flows through Lahore) |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Changa Manga Forest Reserve |
| Religious Shrine | Data Darbar (Lahore) |