Pakistan

(Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islāmī Jumhūrī-ye Pākistān اسلامی جمہوریۂ پاكِستان)

General Information:

Location: South Asia
Capital: Islamabad
Language(s): Urdu, English, Balochi, Pashto, Punjabi
Population: 220,892,331
Total Area: 796,095 sq km
Currency: Pakistani Rupee
Curious Alcohol Fact: Although Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country, locally-brewed drinks are widely sold.
Annual Average Liquor Consumption Per Capita: 0.05 liter
Most Popular Drink(s): Tea

Pakistan Travel Video

Video Courtesy: korkolti

The Country

Located in South Asia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is one of the most populous nations in the world. The country has its coastline along two bodies of water –Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The other nations that surround Pakistan are Afghanistan, China, India and Tajikistan. The nation has four provinces and four territories that are administered by the federal government. Colonized by Britain, the nation became independent in 1947 after concerted efforts by the nationalists. There is a wide variety of landscapes in the country, and these include hills, plains, deserts, mountains and plateaus. One of the best known deserts in the region, the Thar Desert is located in the country. There are also important rivers in the nation, and the most important of these hydrographic features is the Indus River.

The People

Pakistan is one of the most populous nations in the world with a staggering population of over 170 million. There are various ethnic groups and tribes in the country and the most important of these are the Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Seraikis, Muhajirs, Kashmiris and the Balochs. The tally of the languages spoken comes to about sixty while the official language is English. The national tongue is Urdu while Punjabi, Saraiki and Balochi are spoken in other areas in the countries. When it comes to religion, close to 100% of the citizens are Muslims but there are other faiths such as Sikhism, Christianity and Hinduism.

Places to Visit

Pakistan is a place of unending beauty and as a tourist, you can explore as many sites as possible in the country. You can start your tour of the country from the bustling port city of Karachi, which is the largest in the country. For those in love with nature, you can take time to see the Deosai National Park and even visit K2, which is the second highest mountain in the world. Other places of outstanding beauty in the country are Shah Faisal Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world), Tomb of Jahangir. Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens.

Eating

To consume Pakistani food is to immerse yourself in the spirit of the nation. The meals reflect the multifaceted influence of other cultures in the region. However, one thing that you will always note with the foods is that they are hot and spicy, and that is not a new thing in Asia. There is a particular dish called biryani, and is a combination of spiced rice, meat, chicken and milk.

Drinking

As a tourist in a foreign country, one must always be conscious of the regulations of the host country. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and that means there will be certain restrictions on the consumption of alcohol. Wines are sold in hotels and bars that have been issued special permits, and even in such places, alcohol can be quite expensive. On a lighter note, locally-produced beer is widely available.

Sports

Without any doubt, the most popular sport in Pakistan is cricket. In cricket, Pakistan can be considered a superpower. Other popular sports in the country include field hockey, boxing, athletics and squash. If you are interested in football, I really don’t think Pakistan is the place to go.

Interesting Facts

Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the world and only Indonesia has more Muslims.
Pakistan has always been locked in conflict and distrust with its larger neighbor, India.
The name of the country is said to be an acronym meaning Punjab, Afghan Province, Kashmir, Sind and Baluchistan.
Pakistan is one of the few Muslim countries to have been ruled by a woman, Benazir Bhutto.
It is the only Muslim country known to have sufficient nuclear weapons although these serve mainly as a deterrent to India.

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Special thanks to our contributors:
Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria)