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pakistan facts

Pakistan at a Glance:
Official Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Pakistan is a Parliamentary democracy: constitutionally composed of President, executive and judiciary. President is the head of the state and supreme commander of the Armed Forces; Prime Minister is the head of the Government.

Basic Facts:
Population 135.28 million
Ethnic composition 95% Muslims, 5% others
Per capita income US$ 460
Currency Pak Rupee
Exports Cotton, textile goods, rice, leather items carpets, sports goods, fruits, handicrafts
Sea Food (Fisheries)
Imports Industrial equipment, vehicles, iron ore, petroleum, edible oil
Languages Urdu (National language) English (Official)
Literacy rate 38.9%
National Flower Jasmine
Flora Pine, Oak, Poplar, Deodar, Maple, Mulberry
Fauna The Pheasant, Leopard, Deer, Ibex, Chinkara, Black buk, Neelgai, Markhor, Marcopolo sheep, Green turtles, River & Sea fish, Crocodile, Water Fowls
Popular games Cricket, Hockey, Football
Agriculture Major crops are cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane
Total cropped area 22.14 million hectares
Industry Textiles, cement, fertiliser, steel, sugar, electric goods, shipbuilding
Major Airports: 6 - Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Gwadar
Seaports International : 2 - Karachi and Bin Qasim
Domestic: 3 - Minora, Gwadar and Pasni

Pakistan National Flag
Dark green with a white vertical bar, a white crescent and a five-pointed star in the middle. The Flag symbolises Pakistan's profound commitment to Islam and Islamic world.

State Emblem
The State Emblem consists of:
1. The crescent and star which is symbol of Islam
2. The shield in the centre shows four major crops
3. Wreath surrounding the shield represents cultural heritage
4. Scroll contains Quaid's motto: Unity, Faith, Discipline

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent State on 14 August 1947. It comprises four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier and Baluchistan, besides the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Islamabad is the federal capital. Over 97 per cent of the country's population is Muslim.

Pakistan covers an area of 796,095 sq.km. lying between latitude 24 degree and 37 degree North and longitude 62 degree and 75 degree East. The country borders Iran on the West, while India in the east, Afghanistan in the north and north-west and the People's Republic of China in the north-west to north east.

Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and north- western high mountain ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months from April to September are very pleasant. The vast plains of the Indus Valley are extremely hot in summer and have cold weather in winter. The coastal strip in the South has a temperate climate. There is general deficiency in the rainfall. In the plains the annual average ranges from 13 cm. In the northern parts of the lower Indus plains to 89 cm. In the Himalayan region. Rains are monsoonal in origin and fall late in summer.

Capital Cities

Islamabad (The Federal Capital of Pakistan)
Islamabad lies at the base of the Margalla Hills adjacent to Rawalpindi, Punjab, on the north side. It became Pakistan's capital in 1959. The ground breaking started in October 1961. In relatively short span, Islamabad has become one of the most impressive capitals in the world, exuding hope and confidence in Pakistan's future.

Karachi (The capital of Sindh Province)
The capital city of Sindh was the capital city of Pakistan until 1959 and birth place of the Quaid-I-Azam. Karachi rubs shoulders with most of the industrialised cities of the world, boasting massive business and commercial centres, tall buildings and beautiful beaches. Karachi, the main seaport of Pakistan also serves as Naval Centre and houses Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

Lahore (The capital of Punjab Province)
The Capital of Punjab is historical city which proudly hosted the passing of Pakistan Resolution in 1940 by Muslims League under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-I- Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Lahore is also a proud custodian of Pakistan's historical and cultural heritage. Being the centre of cultural and literary activities it may rightly be called the cultural capital of Pakistan. The warm and receptive people of Lahore are known for their traditional hospitality.

Peshawar (The capital of Frontier Province)
Boasting of rich and varied traditions and culture, Peshawar the capital of NWFP, is city of lion-hearted people, the proud Pathans. Like other main cities, Peshawar also houses impressive historical places, like Qissakhwani Bazaar, Masjid Mahabat Khan.

Quetta (The capital of Balochistan Province)
Nestling in the picturesque valley between the Murad and Chiltan mountains, Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is located on the cross-roads leading towards Iran. Quetta takes pride in producing onyx, and onyx-products, and a variety of juicy and dry fruits.

Tourist attractions

Pakistan is a land of many splendours, with rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. With a varied terrain ranging from the snow-capped mountains in the north to the sunny beaches in the south, Pakistan abounds in tourist attractions.

What makes Quetta and Ziarat valleys the tourists' attraction is that the former is rich in archaeological sites while the latter is surrounded by one of the oldest Juniper forests in the world. Some trees are well over 5,000 years old. In addition, fruit orchards, spread in acres, provide a variety of delicious fruits as apple, black cherry, plums, peaches, pomegranate, apricots, olives etc, and enhance to the beauty of the valleys.

Murree
Murree is one of the most picturesque and well-developed hill station of Pakistan. Recently added, for the tourists, Patriata chair lifts have enhanced the beauty of the Valley. In its close proximity are Gallian which represent nature in its purest and beautiful form.

Northern Areas
The string of beautiful valleys and mountains in the Northern Areas include, Swat, Hunza, Kaghan, Chitral and Gilgit. These area are so charming and enticing that they represent paradise on earth. The People are simple, innocent and large-hearted.

Hanna Lake
The seasonal water reservoir for the city of Quetta, Hanna Lake is ideal place for fishing and boating in the summer months.

Archaeological Sites

Pakistan's archaeological sites are located at a number of places such as Moenjodaro, Harappa, Kot Diji, Taxila, Chakwal, Takht Bahi, Quetta, Dir and Swat. These remind one of the remote past starting from the Stone Age down to the prehistoric Indus Valley Civilisation and further closer to our times.

Harappa and Moenjodaro
The ancient twin cities of Harappa and Moenjodaro are relics of glorious Indus Civilisation. These represent the earlier symbols of civilised society and our living proofs that earlier civilisation was aware of need of cloths, utensils, pottery, well-aired rooms, well-conceived drainage system and sanitation.

Kot Diji
Discovered in late fifties, Kot Diji, 40 km east of Moenjodaro on the left bank, is one of the earliest sites with a wall four to five metres high. This discovery gave new evidence of pre-Harappan culture and pushed back Pakistan's history by another 500 years.

Taxila
Taxila is not just one site, in fact, it is combination of several cities built and destroyed over hundreds of years among beautiful hills, Taxila Museum houses some of the finest specimens of Gandhara sculpture, gold ornaments and scientific instruments. Taxila was site of a great centre of Buddhist learning as well.

Rohtas Fort
The Rohtas Fort, near Jhelum, was built by Sher Shah Suri and his descendants in 16th century. One important aim of its construction was to subdue the Gakhars who had refused to bow before Sher Shah Suri at the cost of their vows of friendship to the Mughals.

Khewra Salt Ranges
Lying in proximity of river Jhelum, the Salt Ranges are said to be world's oldest and largest mines producing finest quality of rock salt. Chakwal Valley The artefacts belonging to the Stone-Age have been found near village Dhoke Pathan at river Swan. The valley was inhabited by Dravidians around 1000 BC, followed in much later years by the Aryans who settled around Katas. The relics of 10thg century have also been found there.

Geographical Facts - Area (Sq.Km)

Pakistan 796,095
Provinces:
Punjab 205,344
Sindh 140,914
NWFP 74,521
Balochistan 347,190
FATA 27,220
Islamabad (Capital) 906

Mountain Peaks
Mountain Peaks--------------------Height--------------------World Rating
K-2 (Mount Godwin Austin)-------28,250 ft./8611 m---------2nd
Nanga Parbat----------------------26,660 ft./8126 m---------8th
Gasherbrum-I----------------------26,470 ft./8068 m---------11th

Rivers
Rivers Length
The Indus--1,800 miles
Jhelum--513 miles
Chenab--772 miles
Ravi--560 miles
Sutlej--964 miles
Beas (tributary of Sutlej)--247 miles

Glaciers
Siachin 75 km
Batura 55 km
Baltora 62 km

Deserts
Thar (in Sindh)
Cholistan (in Punjab)
Thal (in Punjab)

Lakes
Manchar (in Sindh)
Keenjhar (in Sindh)
Hanna (in Balochistan)
Saif-ul-Maluk (in NWFP)
Satpara (in Northern Areas)
Kachura (in Northern Areas)

Major Dams
Mangla Dam
Tarbela Dam
Warsak Dam.