| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Asia |
| Geographical Location |
30° 00' North Latitude
70° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
803,940 sq km |
| Climate |
Mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north |
| Natural Resources |
Land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone |
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| Political Information |
 |
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| Country Name |
Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| Capital City |
Islamabad |
| Government Type |
Federal republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh |
| Independence Day |
14 August 1947 (from UK) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
162,419,946 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Pakistani |
| Ethnic Groups |
Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants) |
| Religion |
Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% |
| Languages |
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%,
English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% |
| Population Growth Rate |
2.03% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Pakistani rupee (PKR) |
| Industries |
Textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp |
| Labor Force |
45.43 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 42%, industry 20%, services 38% (2004 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs |
| Export Commodities |
Textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs |
| Export Partners |
US 21.3%, UAE 9.8%, UK 7.1%, Germany 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea |
| Import Partners |
China 10.8%, US 10.2%, UAE 9.3%, Saudi Arabia 9%, Japan 7%, Kuwait 5.3%, Germany 4.2% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
8,163 km |
| Highways |
257,683 km |
| Pipelines |
Gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2004) |
| Airports |
131 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+92 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.pk |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved,
and India and Pakistan have fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India
capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to
Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but recent discussions and confidence-building
measures may be a start toward lessened tensions. |
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