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 the former British India.
Located in South Asia, Pakistan shares an eastern border with
India and a north-eastern border with China. Iran makes up the
country’s south-west border, and Afghanistan runes along
its western and northern edge. The Arabian Sea is Pakistan’s
southern boundary with 1,064 km of coastline.
Map courtesy of http://www.irinnews.org
PDF version
of the map available at http://www.irinnews.org/pdf/map/Pakistan.pdf
The country has a total area of 796,095 sq km and is nearly four
times the size of the United Kingdom. From Gwadar Bay in its
south-eastern corner, the country extends more than 1,800 km to
the Khunjerab Pass on China’s border.
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 Mohenjodaro speak volumes for Pakistan’s rich
cultural background dating back to 3,000 B.C – and sites such as Mehrgarh
as far back as 8,000 BC.
Please follow the links on the left to learn more about Pakistan.
