Karimabad (), formerly known as Baltit, is the capital of Hunza District, in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. An article on The Guardian ranked it as one of the five "Best Tourist Sites" in Pakistan. Etymology Karimabad was named in honour of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the current spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Nizari community, though locals often still refer to Karimabad by its older name Baltit. Geography Karimabad town, located on the west bank of the Hunza River, is in the Northern Areas of the Pakistan, in a valley which is at elevation. The town is made up of stone walled steep sloping large terraces. The town was a caravan halting place for people who were traveling through the Hindu Kush mountains to the Vale of Kashmir. It is set amidst snow clad mountain peaks of Rakaposhi (altitude of about ), and glaciers like the Ulter Nala as a backdrop, and deep gorges. Access is by hill road from Gilgit. Flora and fauna The floral vegetation in the wild consist of roses, pansies, lilies, zinnias, and cosmos, along with trees such as apple, apricot, walnut, mulberry, willow, fir, and poplar trees. The fauna recorded in the village consist of ibex (Capra (genus), duck, red-striped fox, snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn. Uncia uncia), markhor (Capra falconeri) (wild goat), Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii), and yak (Bos grunniens and Bos mutus). History Karimabad, previously known as Baltit, was originally ruled by a monarch, the Mir of Hunza. The Baltit Fort was built at that time to function as the Mir's palace. The location was known as a caravan resting stop, and for its slave trade. Baltit served as the capital of Hunza valley for over 750 years, until the middle of the 20th century. After Pakistan became an independent country in 1947, the Hunza province controlled by the Mir voluntarily joined Pakistan. Earlier, the capital had been shifted from the area around Balit down to the lower part of the hills where new buildings were erected, which became the new capital, Karimabad. The new town has developed into a tourist place, following the development of the Karakoram Highway, with a number of shopping complexes dealing in handicrafts, hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. Both Baltit Fort and Karimabad village received the World Award of Tourism in 2000 when Indonesia, Australia, India, and Britain and other countries competed. Demographics The population of