Pakistan Map

Pakistan also known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the fifth most populous nation in the world and the 33rd-largest country in the world by area. It is the second-largest in South Asia, containing 881,913 square kilometers. It has a 1,046-kilometer coastline that runs along these bodies of water.

The largest city and financial hub are Karachi, while Islamabad is its capital. Indus Valley civilization from the Bronze Age and the ancient Gandhara civilization were two of the numerous ancient cultures that once existed in this region. The area that now makes up the nation of Pakistan was ruled by several empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid, Hindu Shahi, Ghaznavid, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal, Durrani, Omani, and Sikh empires.

History:

The history of what is now Pakistan spans thousands of years, beginning with the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300–1300 BCE). This advanced urban culture, known for its well-planned cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, laid the groundwork for the region's rich cultural heritage. ollowing the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, the region saw the arrival of Indo-Aryan peoples, who contributed to the Vedic culture. This era was marked by the development of early Hinduism and the formation of the Vedic texts. By the 6th century BCE, the area was influenced by the Persian Achaemenid Empire, and later by Alexander the Great's invasion in 326 BCE, which introduced Hellenistic culture. After Alexander’s death, his empire fragmented, and the region came under the control of the Maurya Empire, particularly under Chandragupta Maurya and his successor Ashoka, who spread Buddhism in the region. The following centuries saw the rise of the Kushan Empire, known for its promotion of trade and Buddhism, and later the Gupta Empire, which furthered the cultural and intellectual development of the Indian subcontinent.

The arrival of Islam in the region began in the 7th century with the Umayyad Caliphate’s incursions into Sindh. However, it wasn’t until the 11th century that significant Islamic influence began with the Ghaznavid Empire under Mahmud of Ghazni and later the Ghurid Empire. The 12th and 13th centuries saw the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, which laid the foundation for Islamic rule in the Indian subcontinent. In the 16th century, the Mughal Empire emerged as a dominant power under Babur. The empire saw its zenith under rulers like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan but began to decline in the 18th century. By the late 18th century, the British East India Company began exerting control over the Indian subcontinent. By the 19th century, the Indian independence movement gained momentum. Key figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah emerged, advocating for self-rule and the end of colonial dominance. The growing demand for independence was coupled with increasing demands for separate political representation for Muslims. The demand for a separate nation for Muslims became more pronounced in the early 20th century with the formation of the All-India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Lahore Resolution of 1940, also known as the Pakistan Resolution, articulated the desire for a separate state for Muslims in British India. The British government, dealing with the pressures of World War II and domestic unrest, decided to end colonial rule. In 1947, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, leading to the partition of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.

On August 14, 1947, Pakistan was established as a separate state, initially consisting of West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). The partition was accompanied by mass migrations and communal violence, with millions of Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs relocating across the newly drawn borders. In its brief history, the area has experienced turmoil. Fighting between the provinces and a long-standing conflict with India that resulted in a nuclear standoff prevented the country from achieving stability over the past fifty years. It alternates between military rule and democratically elected governments, between secular policies and financial support as a frontline state during the Cold War and the war on terrorism. It also alternates between secular policies and financial support.

Culture:

Its civil society is largely hierarchical and places a strong emphasis on the traditional Islamic values that underpin both personal and political life as well as the local cultural customs and etiquette. Despite a growing trend toward nuclear families due to socioeconomic factors, the extended family still serves as the fundamental unit of the family. Amid a shift in power from rural landowners to urban elites, the middle class has grown to about 35 million people in recent decades, while the upper and upper-middle classes have grown to about 17 million people.

The major ethnic groups include Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Baloch, and Muhajirs, along with various smaller communities. The architectural legacy includes majestic structures like the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, which showcase Mughal grandeur. Traditional art forms such as truck art, known for its vibrant and elaborate designs, are emblematic of Pakistan’s modern artistic expressions. The country also boasts a rich tradition in textiles, with intricate embroidery and weaving techniques practiced across various regions. Its cuisine is characterized by its use of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Popular dishes include biryani (a spiced rice dish with meat or vegetables), kebabs, and various types of curries. Each region has its culinary specialties; for instance, Punjab is known for its hearty, meat-based dishes, while Sindh offers a variety of spicy and tangy dishes. All of the major religious holidays celebrated in the country, such as Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Azha, Ramadan, Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Diwali, have their roots there. Additionally, cultural festivals like Basant, a spring festival celebrated in Lahore with kite flying, and the annual Shandur Polo Festival in the Chitral Valley, highlight the country’s diverse cultural practices. Music and dance are integral to Pakistani culture. Classical music, including genres such as Qawwali and Ghazal, has deep roots in the region. Contemporary music also flourishes, with a vibrant industry producing popular pop, rock, and folk music. Traditional dances such as the Balochi Leva and Punjabi Bhangra are performed during celebrations and cultural events, showcasing the dynamic nature of Pakistan’s performing arts.

Language:

Numerous languages are spoken as first languages in the region, a multilingual nation. The majority of its languages are members of the Indo-European language family, specifically the Indo-Iranian branch. Although it shares official status with English, Urdu is the preferred and dominant language used for interethnic communication in the province. It is the country's official language. The various ethnolinguistic groups here speak a variety of regional languages as their mother tongues. There are less than one million speakers of less than 60 local languages. Punjab province is home to the majority of speakers of Punjabi, the most common regional tongue. It has a rich literary and cultural tradition, including famous poetry and folk music. Punjabi is written in the Gurmukhi script in India and the Shahmukhi script in Pakistan, which is a variant of the Persian script. Primarily spoken in the Sindh area, Sindhi boasts a distinctive Arabic-inspired script and a thriving literary legacy. Sindhi literature, including poetry and prose, reflects the region's history and culture. Pashto, the principal language of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and parts of Balochistan, has a strong oral tradition with a long history of poetry and storytelling. Pashto is written in the Arabic script and has several dialects. Balochi, spoken in Balochistan, is another major language with its own distinct dialects and a script that has historically been Persian. In addition to these major languages, Pakistan is home to numerous minority languages, including Saraiki, which is spoken in parts of Punjab and has a significant literary presence. Other minority languages such as Brahui, spoken in Balochistan.

Geography:

In terms of latitude, It is located between 23 degrees 35 and 37 degrees 05 minutes north and 60 degrees 50 and 77 degrees 50 minutes east. Landscapes ranging from plains to deserts, forests, and plateaus can be found throughout its geography. Both the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates geologically overlap with the country. Its provinces of Sindh and Punjab are located in the northwest corner of the Indian plate, while Balochistan and the majority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are located in the Eurasian plate. The northern region is dominated by the towering Himalayas and the Karakoram Range, which includes K2, the second-highest peak in the world. This mountainous terrain gives way to the Indus River Valley, which is crucial for agriculture and civilization in Pakistan. To the west, the country features arid deserts like the Thar Desert and the Balochistan Plateau, known for its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation. The Indus River, flowing from north to south, is the lifeline of Pakistan, providing water to its agricultural heartland. In the east, the fertile plains of Punjab and Sindh support the majority of the country’s population and are pivotal for its economy. Pakistan’s southern coastline along the Arabian Sea features important ports like Karachi, which is a major economic hub.

FAQs

Q1: What is the official language of Pakistan?

Urdu is the official language of Pakistan.

Q2: What is the capital of Pakistan?

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan

Q3: What is the currency of Pakistan?

Pakistani rupee is the currency of Pakistan

Q4: What is the climate in Pakistan?

Pakistan's temperate climate is as diverse as the topography of the country; it is typically dry and hot near the coast and along the lowland plains of the Indus River, and gradually gets cooler in the northern uplands and Himalayas.