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The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (پاکستان in Urdu) is a nation in south-central Asia bordering Iran, Afghanistan, China, India, and the Arabian Sea. Pakistan is home to around 140 million people, most of whom are Muslim, which is the state religion.

Pakistan is an Urdu term meaning land of the pure. The suffix -istan, common to many countries in the region, means "land of" in Persian (e.g Afghanistan = Land of Afghans).

اسلامی جمہوریت پاکستان
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

File:Pakistan flag medium.png coat of arms (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: None (?)
Official languages	Urdu, English
Capital	Islamabad
Largest City	Karachi
President	Pervez Musharraf
Prime Minister	Zafarullah Khan Jamali
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 34th 803,940 km² xx% / Negligible
Population  - Total (2000)  - Density	Ranked 7th 141,145,344 184/km²
Independence  - Declared  - Recognised	From the UK: August 14, 1947 (Year)
Currency	Pakistani Rupees
Time zone	UTC +5
National anthem	Pak sarzamin shad bad (Blessed Be The Sacred Land)
Internet TLD	.PK
Calling Code	92

Main article: History of Pakistan, History of South Asia

The people of Pakistan are predominantly Muslim. Prior to 1947, Pakistan was a part of British colonial India. As they withdrew control of India, the British partitioned it into two countries: India, which had a Hindu majority, and Pakistan, consisting of most of the Muslim-majority territories of colonial India. However, more Muslims reside in India than in Pakistan, making India the country with second largest Muslim population in the world. From 1947 until 1971 the nation consisted of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, separated from one another by India. In 1971 East Pakistan rebelled, and with the help of India became the independent state of Bangladesh.

Main article: Politics of Pakistan

Although officially a federal republic, in October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf overthrew the civilian government and assumed executive authority. He declared himself president in 2001. A new parliament was elected in 2002 and Zafarullah Khan Jamali, a loyal follower of Musharraf, has been appointed Prime Minister. Pakistan has had a long history of military dictatorships from General Ayub in the 1960s to General Zia Ul Haq in the 1980s, and presently General Parvez Musharraf.

Main article: Subdivisions of Pakistan

Pakistan has 4 provinces, Balochistan, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh. Other territories include the Islamabad Capital Territory, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.

Main article: Geography of Pakistan

A country slightly less than twice the size California, Pakistan is located in Southern Asia. It borders the Arabian Sea to the south, and is positioned between India to the east and Iran and Afghanistan to the West. Its Northern border is shared with China.

Main article: Economy of Pakistan

Pakistan is a poor, heavily populated country, suffering from internal political disputes, lack of foreign investment, and a costly confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's economic outlook continues to be marred by its weak foreign exchange position, notably its continued reliance on international creditors for hard currency inflows.

Main article: Demographics of Pakistan

Main article: Culture of Pakistan

• Pakistani literature
• Music of Pakistan
• Languages of India and Pakistan

• Communications in Pakistan
• Transportation in Pakistan
• Military of Pakistan
• Foreign relations of Pakistan

• Literature of Pakistan