Geography of Gilgit–Baltistan in the south and southwest (separated by the Babusar Pass or Babusar Top), the Ghizar District in the north and northwest, and the Gilgit District in the north and northeast. The valleys of Darel-Tangir, which are currently part of Gilgit-Baltistan, were formerly part of Pakistan. District Diamer is divided into two sub-divisions: one is Chilas and the other one is Darel/Tangir. Village Juglote is headquarters of sub-division Darel/Tangir while Chilas is the headquarters of other sub-division and also headquarters of district Diamer. Before the Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978, the only road to Gilgit town from the south was
Gilgit-Baltistan to the north, and the Hindu Kush lies to the west. Amongst the highest mountains are K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) and Nanga Parbat, the latter being one of the most feared mountains in the world. Three of the world's longest glaciers outside the polar regions are found in Gilgit-Baltistan: the Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura Glacier. There are, in addition, several high-altitude lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan: The Deosai Plains, are located above the tree line and constitute the second-highest plateau in the world at 4,115 metres (14,500 feet) after Tibet. The plateau lies east of Astore, south of Skardu