Swat District (Urdu: ‫ضلع سوات‬, Pashto: ‫سوات ولسوالۍ‬, pronounced 

[ˈswaːt̪ ]) is a district in the

Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. With a population of 2,309,570 per the
2017 national census, Swat is the 15th-largest district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Swat District is centered on the Valley of Swat, usually referred to simply as Swat, which is a
natural geographic region surrounding the Swat River. The valley was a major centre of early
Buddhism under the ancient kingdom of Gandhara, and was a major centre of Gandharan
Buddhism, with pockets of Buddhism persisting in the valley until the 10th century, after which
the area became largely Muslim.[4][5] Until 1969, Swat was part of the Yusafzai State of Swat, a
self-governing princely state that was inherited by Pakistan following its independence from
British rule. The region was seized by the Tehrik-i-Taliban in late-2007 until Pakistani control
was re-established in mid-2009.[6][7]

The average elevation of Swat is 980 m (3,220 ft),[5] resulting in a considerably cooler and wetter
climate compared to the rest of Pakistan. With lush forests, verdant alpine meadows, and snow-
capped mountains, Swat is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.[8][9]

Etymology
The name "Swat" is derived from the Swat River. The Swat River referred to as the Suvāstu in the Rig
Veda, with a literal meaning "of fair dwellings". Some have suggested the Sanskrit name may mean
"clear blue water."[10] Another theory derives the word Swat from the Sanskrit word shveta (lit. 'white'),
also used to describe the clear water of the Swat River. [11] To the ancient Greeks, the river was known as
the Soastus.[12][13][14][11] The Chinese pilgrim Faxian referred to Swat as the Su-ho-to

Climate

Climate in Swat is a function of altitude, with mountains in the Kohistan region snow-clad year
round. The upper areas of the region are relatively colder and often get snowfall in the winter.
Drier, warmer temperatures in the lower portions in the Yousafzai Plains where summer
temperatures can reach 105 °F (41 °C), although the lower plains experience occasional snow.[17]
Both regions are subject to two monsoon seasons - one in winter and the other in summer. Swat's
lower reaches have vegetation characterized by dry bush and deciduous trees, while the upper
areas mostly have thick pine forests.[18]

Falak Sar, Swat's tallest mountain at 5,957 metres (19,544 ft)



Mount Mankial, which rises to 18,600 feet (5,700 m)

Pine forests occur in Swat at altitudes over 5,000 feet (1,500 m)

The northernmost region of Swat - a region known as Kohistan - has high alpine valley at
the base of tall mountains

Jarogo Waterfall, in middle Swat

Alpine lakes, such as Mahodand Lake are found in the mountains of Swat Kohistan.


Alpine meadows in Utror