Where Is The World's Highest ATM Located?
ATM stands for Automated Teller Machine, and it refers to an electronic device that allows customers of a particular financial institution to carry out financial transactions. The transaction that a customer can perform includes funds transfer, cash withdrawal, and obtaining account information at any time of the day without the need for direct contact with the banking staff. As of 2015, it was estimated that there were a total of 3.5 million ATMs installed all over the world. The highest one among them is located in Pakistan-China border.
The Highest ATM In The World
A new record was set by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by installing the highest ATM in the world. The ATM was set up at the Pakistani-China border at the Khunjerab pass which stands at an elevation of 15,397 feet above sea level. The bank wanted to show their skills by installing the ATM at the highest altitude possible as part of the Green-initiative by the bank. The ATM uses solar and wind turbine for power. It is at the starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPEC), a region thriving with tourists, and typically the tourists are the primary users of the ATM. It is operational around the clock, and special attention is given during winter when the temperature drops below the freezing point. The ATM is maintained and monitored 24 hours a day by the nearby branch located in Sost City. It was installed on September 6, 2016. On November 18, 2016, it was awarded the Guinness Book of Records title. Initially, the title of the highest ATM was held by the Union Bank of India who installed their ATM in 2007 at Nathu-La pass. The pass is a centuries-old mountain pass found along the Silk Road, and it is about 14,300 feet above sea level at the Kupup area.
Khunjerab Pass
Khunjerab Pass is a mountain pass found in the Karakoram Mountains in the northern border of Pakistan and southwest border of China. It is the highest paved international border crossing in the whole world having an elevation of 15,397 feet above sea level. It is also the highest point along the Karakoram highway, and the construction of the roadway was completed in 1982. On the Pakistani side, the pass is 26 miles from the National Park station and about 540 miles from Islamabad. On the Chinese side, the pass forms part of the China National Highway 314. During winter, the pass is often covered with snow, and it is closed for heavy vehicles starting from November 30 to May 1, and for all vehicles between December 30 and April 1. From June 1, 2006, there has been a daily bus service crossing the border from Gilgit in Pakistan to Kashgar in Xinjiang, China.
An Interesting Fact About The Pass
This is one of the interesting border crossing points in the world because traffic switches from left hand driving to right-hand driving as they cross from one side of the border to the other. On the Pakistani side, all traffic is left-handed, while on the Chinese side the traffic is right-handed. Therefore, all traffic has to switch from right-hand driving when they are crossing from China to left-hand driving when they are on the Pakistani side.
