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  About Pakistan
The Islamic republic of Pakistan emerged on the map
of the world as an independent sovereign state on 14th August
1947, as a result of the division of former British India. It lies between
23-35 to 37- 05 north latitude and 60-50 to 77- 50 east longitude touching
the Hindukush Mountains in the north and extending from the Pamirs to the
Arabian Sea. It is bounded by Iran in the west, Afghanistan in the
north-west, India in the east and south east and Arabian Sea in the south.
There is a common border with China alongside Gilgit and Baltistan in the
north.
  Pakistan covers 796,095 sq.km with a population of
132.35 million according to population census 1998. It is divided into four
provinces: Sindh, Punjab, North West Frontier Province and Balochistan. It
consists of such physical regions as a) the western offshoots of Himalayas
which cover its northern and north western parts of which the highest peak
K-2 rises to 8611 meters above sea level; b) the Balochistan plateau c) The
Potohar Plateau and salt range and d) The Indus plain, the most fertile and
densely populated area of the country getting its sustenance from the Indus
River and its tributaries.
Religiously Pakistan is an Islamic country where 96.28 %
of population prays towards Makkah. Christians are 1.95 % of the population
whereas Hindus are 1.60 % and schedule Hindus represent 0.25 %. Qadiyanis
have relatively small community with only 0.22 % representing the new
religion. Others are 0.07 % which includes Sikhs and other religious
communities.
  Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of
variety. North and north western high mountainous ranges are extremely cold
in winter while the summer months of April to September are very pleasant.
The plains of the Indus valley are extremely hot in summer with a cold and
dry weather in winter. The coastal strip in the South has a moderate
climate. There is a general deficiency of rainfall. In the plains annual
average ranges from 16 centimeters in the northern parts of lower Indus
plain to 120 centimeters in the Himalayan region. Rains are monsoonal in
origin and fall late in summers. Due to the rainfall and high diurnal range
of temperature, humidity is comparatively low. Only the coastal strip has
high humidity. The country has an agricultural economy with a network of
canals irrigating a major part of its cultivated land. Wheat, cotton, rice,
millet and sugar cane are the major crops. Among fruits: mangos, oranges,
bananas and apples are grown in abundance in different parts of the country.
The main natural resources are natural gas, coal, salt and iron. The country
has an expanding industry. Cotton, Textiles, sugar, cement, and chemicals
play an important role in its economy. It is fed by vast hydroelectric
power.
Urdu is the national language and is used as a medium of
understanding throughout the country. Pakistan is culturally divided into
four bilingual provinces. Punjabi is spoken in the Punjab, Sindhi in Sindh,
Pashto in NWFP, and Balochi in Balochistan. The country comprises of a vast
area that was the great center of ancient civilizations of the world. Its
historical sites beginning with stone-age to Twentieth Century A.D are a
mirror of the life of its people who are by nature simple, virile,
hospitable and hard working. Ancient sites excavated in Taxila, Harappa, and
Moenjodaro speak volumes for Pakistan rich cultural background dating back
to 3,000 B.C.
WEB Sites About Pakistan
Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV)
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http://www.ptv.com.pk/
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/law-division/publications/constitution.pdf
[PDF]
Pakistan
International Airline (PIA)
- http://www.piac.com.pk/
Government of
Pakistan News Portal
- http://www.infopak.gov.pk/
Economy of
Pakistan
- http://www.finance.gov.pk/
Hotels and Travel
in Pakistan
- http://www.tourism.gov.pk/
Pakistan
travel guide
- http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/tourism-division/index.jsp
History of Pakistan
- http://www.heritage.gov.pk/html_Pages/history_of_pakistan.htm
Cultural
Heritage
- http://www.heritage.gov.pk/html_Pages/culture.heri.html
Festivals
- http://www.tourism.gov.pk/events.asp
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