Abbottabad is the principal city of the Abbottabad District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. It is 4120 feet (1256 m) above sea level, and is located 63 miles (101 km) from Rawalpindi, 52 miles from Kohala Bridge, Bakote and Birote in East and is undoubtedly one of the cleanest, the most beautiful cities of Pakistan. The city is much like a valley with scenic beauty and beautiful romantic weather at its peak. The city is also called “The City of the Maple Tree”.
Abbottabad, the headquarters of Hazara Division, situated at an altitude of 1,225 m (4002 ft) above sea level and surrounded by refreshing green hills of Sarban, is one of the best-known hill resorts of Pakistan. It is situated on the Karakoram Highway (Silk Route) to China, 120 Km from Rawalpindi/Islamabad and 205 Km from Peshawar. The climate is temperate with 4 distinct seasons-spring, summer, autumn and winter. The summer is pleasant while the winter is moderately cold with occasional snowfall. The city is non-industrial, situated in the green Orash valley and is free from environmental pollution. It has a population of over 300,000.
Like Hazara, Abbottabad has seen many invasions from outside by the conquering forces of diverse races, tribes and kingdoms. The modern city of Abbottabad was founded by Major Abbott, the British deputy commissioner of Hazara (1849 to 1853) during British rule in the subcontinent. Major Abbott is credited with making major changes in the administrative setup in the region, so that after his departure, the city was named after him. The British maintained a sizeable military presence here, evidenced even today by the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), which has remained as the major training academy for military officers. The PMA provided fame to Abbottabad for many years, prior to the recent development of the city, from a non-industrial backward area, to a busy modern business, economic and academic centre. The creation of Ayub Medical Complex has once more brought the city into the national limelight and spurred a lasting chapter of growth and development.
Abbottabad has a natural beauty endowed by its location amid surrounding mountains and high altitude. It is neither too cold in winter, nor too hot in summer and enjoys a refreshing spring season. Gradually it has become one of the most sought after summer resorts of Pakistan.