Karakoram

The Karakoram is a mountain range in the Kashmir region spanning the borders of Pakistan, China, and India, with the northwestern extremity of the range extending to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Most of the Karakoram mountain range falls under the jurisdiction of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan. Its highest (and the world's second-highest) peak, K2, is located in Gilgit-Baltistan. It begins in the Wakhan Corridor (Afghanistan) in the west, encompasses the majority of Gilgit-Baltistan, and extends into Ladakh (controlled by India) and Aksai Chin (controlled by China). The Karakoram is the second-highest mountain range on Earth and part of a complex of ranges that includes the Pamir Mountains, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas. The range contains 18 summits higher than in elevation, with four above : K2 ( AMSL) (the second-highest peak on Earth), Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum II. The range is about in length and is the most glaciated place on Earth outside the polar regions. The Siachen Glacier ( long) and Biafo Glacier ( long) are the second- and third-longest glaciers outside the polar regions.