Baltistan bonds. The states were subjugated by the Dogra rulers of Kashmir during the 19th century. On 29 August 2009 the government of Pakistan announced the creation of Gilgit–Baltistan, a provincial autonomous region with Gilgit as its capital and Skardu its largest city. Baltistan was known as Little Tibet, and the name was extended to include Ladakh. Ladakh later became known as Great Tibet. Locally, Baltistan is known as "Baltiyul" and Ladakh and Baltistan are known as Maryul ("red country"). Today, the people of Kharmang and Western Khaplu have Tibetan features and those in Skardu, Shigar and the eastern villages of
Mountains of Central Asia Mountains of Central Asia South of the northern low lands is a great belt of mountains and plateaus. The Pamir plateau in central Asia forms mountainous chains running out in different directions. The mountain chains of the Himalayas, Karakoram and Kunlun run towards the east. The plateau of Tibet, enclosed by the Himalayas and Kunlun, is the largest and highest plateau of the world. Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the highest peak in the world. The vast cool desert of Gobi is in this region. The Mountains of Central Asia are a biodiversity hot spot designated by Conservation International