Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Urdu)Pakistan Means Land of Pure

FlagEmblem

Motto: (Urdu)"Faith, Unity, Discipline"

Area controlled by Pakistan shown in dark green; claimed but uncontrolled territory shown in light green.

Continent Asia

CapitalIslamabad

Largest cityKarachi (Previous Capital)

Official languages English Urdu

Independence14 August 1947

GovernmentFederalparliamentaryrepublic

State ReligionIslam, about 95-98% of Pakistanis are Muslims

Area

-Total796,095km (36th)307,374sqmi

-Water(%)3.1

Population

-2014estimate186,693,907[8](6th)

Drives on theleft

CurrencyPakistani rupee() (PKR)

Time zonePKT(UTC+5)

-Summer(DST)(UTC+6b)

Calling code+92

ISO 3166 codePK

Internet TLD.pk

Pakistan becameindependentin 1947 from the Indian empire ofBritish Raj. The first people in ancient Pakistan lived 9000 years ago. These people were the ones who made up theIndus Valley Civilization,which is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth.

Administrative Units of PakistanTheadministrative units of Pakistanconsist of fourprovinces, onefederalcapital territory, two autonomous and disputed territories and a group of federally administeredtribalareas. Punjab is largest in population. Balochistan is largest in area.Below this top tier, there are four more tiers of government, including 27divisions, more than a hundreddistricts(zillahs), more than four hundred sub-districts (tehsils), and several thousandunion councils.

Neighbors of PakistanLocated at the crossroads of the strategically important regions of South Asia, Central Asia and Western Asia, Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650 miles) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan to the west and north, Iran to the southwest and China in the far northeast. It is separated from Tajikistan by Afghanistan's narrow Wakhan Corridor in the north, and also shares a marine border with Oman.

Seasons in PakistanPakistan has fourseasons: Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn. A cool, dry winter from December through February; a hot, dry spring from March through May; the summer rainy season, or southwest monsoon period, from June through September; and the retreating monsoon period of October and November. The onset and duration of these seasons vary somewhat according to location.Rainfall can vary radically from year to year, and successive patterns of flooding and drought are also not uncommon.

Climate in PakistanThe climate in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan varies from an average daily low of 2 degree centigrade in January to an average daily high of 40 degree centigrade in June. Half of the annual rainfall occurs in July and August, averaging about 255 millimeters in each of those two months. The remainder of the year has significantly less rain amounting to about 50 millimeters per month. Hailstorms are common in Spring. Owing to the extreme weather conditions, floods and droughts are common phenomenon in Pakistan.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Asia and the fourth highest temperature ever recorded inthe worldwas inMohenjo-daro,Sindhat 53.5C (128.3F) on May 26, 2010.The previous record for Pakistan and for Asia was on June 12, 1919 at 52.7C (127F) in Sindh.Landforms of PakistanMountainsPakistan is home to the Earth's highest mountains, the Himalayas, which extend into northern Pakistan and its Kashmir territory. The second highest peak on the planet, K2, rises to 28, 250 feet in far northeastern Pakistan along the Chinese border.

PlateausThe immense Balochistan Plateau covers more than 40 percent of the country. Four mountain ranges -- the Makran, Kirthar, Brahui and Sulaiman -- front the plateau's eastern edge. These mountains block humid air from the Arabian Sea from streaming north and west, rendering the Balochistan Plateau quite arid. The plateau's height averages about 2,000 feet.

PlainsThe Indus River Plain extends from the Indus River eastward across Pakistan to the border with India. Silt deposited by the Indus River from upstream renders most of the area highly fertile. As the world's biggest irrigation system, the Indus River has nourished the development of agricultural societies since ancient times. The swampy delta region of the southern Indus Plain floods regularly and supports the growth of mangrove forests.

Rivers and LakesThe Indus River begins high in the Tibetan Himalayas, crosses into India and then enters Pakistan, turning toward the southwest and flowing through the heart of the country. Near its mouth at the Arabian Sea, the Indus fans out into multiple branches, forming a delta. Other significant rivers in Pakistan include the Sutlej, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi, all of which begin in India and flow southwestward into Pakistan, draining into the Indus. The arid west of Pakistan lacks major rivers.

Deserts: Pakistanhosts five majordesertswhich were historic forests. Cholistan Desert spans an area of 16,0000 square kilometers. It covers the areas of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan The desert hosts an annual jeep rally, which draws many tourists. Indus Valley Desert is located in the northern area of Pakistan. The desert spans an area of 19,500 square kilometers and is surrounded by northwestern scrub forests. Kharan Desert is located in NortheastBalochistan. The desert was used for nuclear testing by the Pakistan military, making it the most famous of the five deserts. The desert is in the center of a large empty basin.Thal Desert is located in Mianwali region of Pakistan between the Indus and Jhelum rivers. A large canal-building project is currently underway to irrigate the land. Irrigation will make most of the desert suitable for farming. Thar Desert is the world's9th largest subtropical desert. Due to the diversified habitat and ecosystem, the vegetation, human culture and animal life in this arid region is very rich in contrast to the other deserts of the world. About 23 species of lizard and 25 species of snakes are found here and several of them are endemic to the region.

Forests:Pakistan forest resources consist, among others, one of the oldest and second largest Juniper forests in the world. Juniper trees are considered among the oldest growing tree species, often termed as living fossils, and can live for more than 3000 years. Situated in Suleiman Range of Baluchistan, these Juniper forests grow in extreme dry and rugged environment between elevations 2000-3000 meters.

Alpine Forests of Pakistan are found at very high elevations in the mountainous regions of Himalaya, karakoram and Hindukash. The elevation limit of tree growth is upto 4000m above sea level. These forests are divided into Sub Alpine Forests, Alpine Scrub and Alpine Pastures.

Temperate forests are mostly evergreen natural forests of conifers, growing between elevations of 1500-4000 meters above sea level in the northern mountainous regions of Pakistan. Economically coniferous forests are more important as they are Pakistans major sources of commercial timber.

The Sub Tropical Forests are found in the lower reaches of Himalaya, Hindukush and Sulaiman Ranges between 600-1700 meters above sea level.Sub Tropical Forest Dry Tropical Forest Dry Tropical Forests are fairly large areas (2/3) od Pakistan fall under the dry tropical zone consisting of Indus Plains in Punjab and Sindh and low hills in southern and western Balochistan. Coastal (Mangrove) Forests are found in the Indus delta and coastal areas if Arabian Sea around of coast of Karachi and Pasni in Balochistan. The main species found is Avicennia marina, whixh grows in low height.

Coastal RegionPakistan has a 650-mile-long coastline along the Arabian Sea, itself part of the larger Indian Ocean. Terminating at the Arabian Sea, the great Indus River drains the entire country, with the exception of Balochistan's far western desert. A length of about 1,800 miles makes the Indus one of the longest rivers in the world, and the volume of its average annual flow is double the Nile's.

Apart from this variety of landforms, at times earth quakes in Pakistan trigger formation of new islands off the coasts, which has quickly become a global curiosity. In 2013, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck a remote part of western Pakistan, killing more than 260 people and displacing hundreds of thousands while creating a Mud Island.

Literacy RateDefinition: aged 10 and over and can read and write as of 2008-09 Total population: 57% Male: 69% Female: 45%

Languages in PakistanOfficial languages:UrduandEnglish, National Language: Urdu Religious language: ArabicLiterary Language: PersianRegional languages: Punjabi,Pashto,Sindhi,Balochi,Kashmiri,Brahui,Shina,Balti,Khowar, saraiki, potohari, hindkoandBurushaski.Minor languagesOther languages spoken by linguistic minorities include the languages listed below, with speakers ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands. A few are highlyendangered languagesthat may soon have no speakers at all. Haryanvi Aer Badeshi Bagri Balti Bateri Bhadrawahi Bhaya Brokskat Burig/Purik Burushaski Chambeali Changthang Chilisso Chitrali Dari Dameli Dogri Dehawri Dhatki/Thari Domaaki Gawar-Bati Ghera Goaria Gowro Gujarati Gojri (Gujari) Gurgula Hazaragi Jadgali Jandavra Kabutra Kachchi/Kutchi Kalami Kalasha-mun Kalkoti Kamviri Kati Khetrani Khowar Kohistani Indus Koli-Kachi Koli-Parkari Koli-Wadiyara Lasi Loarki Marwari Memoni Od/Odki Ormuri Palula Sansi Savi Swati Shina-Kohistani Sindhi-Bhil Torwali Uyghur Ushojo/Ushoji Bagri/Vagri Wakhi Waneci Yidgha Zangskari

Most of the languages of Pakistan belong to theIndo-Iranian group of theIndo-European language family. Urduis a relatively new language in the contemporary sense but has undergone considerable modifications and development borrowing heavily on the traditions of older languages likePersian,Arabic,Turkishand localSouth Asian languagesall of which can be found in its vocabulary.

Natural Resources of PakistanNatural resources include an extensive natural gas supply, oil, hydro power potential, coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone and gem stones. Agricultural products are wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane, eggs, fruit, vegetables, milk, beef, and mutton.

Primary industry includes textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, shrimp, fertilizer, and paper products.

Major exports are textiles, rice, fruits, vegetables, leather goods, sports goods, carpets, rugs, and chemicals.

Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of the following according to the different sources i.e.Food and Agriculture Organizationof The United Nations andFAOSTATgiven here with ranking:Chickpea(2nd), Apricot(6th), Cotton (4th), Milk (5th), Date Palm(5th), Sugarcane(5th), Onion (7th), Kinnow,mandarin oranges, clementine (6th), Mango(4th), Wheat (7th), Rice (14th)

Pakistan ranks 8th worldwide in farm output, according to theList of countries by GDP sector composition. Pakistan imports petroleum, machinery, plastic, edible oil, iron, steel, tea, and paper.

CULTURE, LIFESTYLE & ATTIRESindh Province: Sindhi people speak Sindhi language which is their ancient langue and wear traditional Sindhi dresses. The Sindhi dresses reflect their culture and traditions. Mostly Sindhi dresses are loose shirt (Kameez) and trouser (Shalwar). The traditional Sindhi foods are very delicious and spicy. In Sindhi people weddings mostly food items are Sindhi mutton, Palak Channa Dal and curry. The people of Sindh are very creative and hardworking. People of Sind hove to wear traditional Sindhi Cap (toppe) and stole (Ajrak). The Handicrafts made of Sindhi people are Unique and are famous all over the world for their different style. Sindhi folk Music is very rich. Punjab ProvincePunjab is the biggest province of Pakistan and its people speak Punjabi language. It is the land where five rivers flow. This province is the agricultural hub of Pakistan. Punjabi culture is among the worlds richest cultures. The Punjabi people are food lovers and are famous all over the world for their tasty food and hospitality. People from different parts of the world especially come to Lahore provisional capital of Punjab to enjoy food. The Bhangra music of Punjab is famous all over the world. The weather of Punjab is very moderate and suitable for multiple crops. Punjabi people are very friendly and hardworking. Agricultural products exhibitions, National Horse and Cattle Shows, Kite flying festivals are arranged in Punjab with the official patronage.Classical music forms, such asHindustani classical music, are an important part of the cultural wealth of the Punjab. The Muslim musicians have contributed a large number of ragas to the repository of classical music. The most common instruments used are theTablaandHarmonium. The province is a mainly a fertile region along theriver valleys, while sparsedesertscan be found near the border withRajasthanand theSulaiman Range. The region contains theThalandCholistandeserts. Balochistan ProvinceArea wise Balochistan is the largest province of our country. 48% of Pakistan area wise consists on Balochistan. The tribal culture is ruling in different areas of Balochistan. The dry fruit of this province is famous all over the world. The traditional food items of this city are very popular especially Sajji is a traditional dish of Balochistan which is liked in different areas of world and Pakistan. They wear shalwar, Kameez, frocks and men especially wear turban (traditional hat). The metal jewelry made of Balochi people is renowned all over the world.

Khaber-Pakhtun Khawa ProvinceThe people of Khaber-Pakhtun Khawa are known as Pashtun. Pashtun people strictly follow religion and Pashtun traditions. They speak Pashto language and wear traditional Pashtun dresses. They are very hardworking people. The women wear long frocks and men wear shalwar kamiz with Pashtun cap. They host polo sports festivals every year.

A Glimpse of Modern Pakistani Society

Minorities of PakistanPakistan has a multicultural and multi-ethnic society. There are a lot of religious/minority groups apart from Muslims living in Pakistan which are free to practice their religion and celebrate their festivals: Christians Hindus Sikhs Qadianis / Ahmadis Buddhists Parsis BahaisMajor portion of Hindus population has been living in the interior part of Sindh for a long times. Most of them are living in Hyderabad division. The Sikhs are mostly Punjabis with smaller traditional communities in Karachi and NWFP. There are few Sikhs in the tribal areas that are bilingual and have a close relationship with Sikh in Afghanistan. Many Sikh people come to Pakistan every year to visit their holy places situated in Pakistan.

ARTS OF PAKISTANPolitically speaking, Pakistan emerged as a sovereign state in 1947, but the roots of its performing arts and visual arts have a common background with what was known as the sub-continent of India. Arts in Pakistan can broadly be categorized in to three sections such as:1. Visual Arts: Calligraphy: The Art of Calligraphy, in particular, Arabic Calligraphy, has gained unprecedented patronage, enormous strength & support over the years at varied levels of society. In Pakistan, like in any other Islamic state, this traditional expression has retained its glory & inspired many a minds. Landscape Painting Miniature Painting Modern Art2. Pop Art:This distinct, dazzlingly colorful, bizarre and unique genre of art is an intrinsic part of our culture that we ought to take pride in but is indeed one of the most neglected one and painted by the unsung artists. So this whole section is devoted to the pop art of Pakistan. Pop Art on Wheels

The art on trucks, rickshaw and buses adds color and gaiety to our transport. Trucks and rickshaws in Pakistan are the most unique form of transport the world has seen. They are such delightfully decorated reflecting the wealth, taste and status of the owner of the vehicle. Some people even consider them to be moving art galleries depicting all themes of life through its adorned artwork. Motifs of these decorations range from flowers in vases, bouquets to the pretty little landscapes. The lettering whether in English or Urdu is always ornate. Every part of the truck, rickshaw and buses is decorated, flaps, the under carriage and the hub. Cinema Billboard Art

The art of painting film billboard emerged in 90s when the two phenomena's of the visual arts and cinema combined together to bring out a new form of art called 'Cinema Billboard Art'. Cinema billboards form an integral part of the cityscape in the sub-continent and no cinema building is complete without them. However, cinema billboard painting has taken a back seat with the coming of new generation of digital billboards and the painters are fighting a losing battle of survival these days. SculptureSculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping a material (stone, rock, marble, metal, wood, ivory or bone, plastic, clay etc.) in some form. Sculptures involve the use materials that can be molded or modulated hence it is considered one of the plastic arts. There are various forms of sculptures like: relief, statue, free standing sculpture, bas relief, fountain etc.3. Performance Arts: Drama and theatreThe concept of theatre evolved in folk forms in the performance of bards and jesters which are still popular in the rural areas of Pakistan. However, theatre properly originated at the beginning of 19th century, growing out of song dance extravaganzas staged by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Muslim King of Oudh. That was the beginning of Urdu theatre. By the end of the century, this semi-operatic drama, with its profusion of singing and dancing, its hyperbolic style of dialogue and its rhetorical technique of acting, had become the major form of entertainment in the urban centres throughout the sub-continent. The plots of these theatres derived initially from local legend and fable, and then later, from European models of the theatre. The arrival of commercial theatre in Lahore was in the early 1980s. In the sentiment of practicing and promoting drama and theatrics, Kuch Khaas, The Centre for Arts, Culture and Dialogue, a not-for-profit social enterprise, strives to be a community space for interaction, public discourse, cultural and intellectual pursuits, and civic engagement.The Pakistani drama industry is one of the most powerful industries in South Asia. For a long time, the Pakistani drama serials have enjoyed tremendous international viewership, so much so that many dramas were also translated into other languages. Our dramas were admired not only in Pakistan but across the border in India as well.

Those dramas, majority of which are based on novels written by amazing local writers, represent a typical Pakistani society and the social issues surrounding the common man with light romance and humor. The dramas leave such a deep impact on the minds of the viewers that the characters of masterpieces like 'Alpha Bravo Charlie', 'Dhoop Kinaray', 'Dhuan', 'Waris', 'Tanhaiyan' and many more have touched our hearts and souls, and are remembered. PuppetryPuppetry is called the most ancient forms of entertainment across the globe. Locally puppetry is called and famous as putli tamasha. In addition to conferring the people with the entertainment, puppetry also conveys meaningful messages.Puppets making is done with materials, like straw, cotton, rags, sponge, wood, leather and cloth pieces, etc. Its making is done depending on the required effects and the amount of its usage. There exists a number of varieties of the puppets such as finger puppet, hand or glove puppet, sock puppet, rod puppet, marionette of string puppet, shadow puppet and human puppet. The most famous puppets in Pakistan are human puppets where string, hand, and rod puppets happen to be much favorites in the country.

Art Institutes in Pakistan:The National College of Arts Lahore, or NCA, is the oldest arts institution of higher learning in Lahore, Pakistan.Long ago it was known as the Mayo School of Arts. Gazetteers written about the city of Lahore in 1915 describe the work being done at the school.

MUSIC IN PAKISTANThe music of Pakistan includes diverse elements ranging from music from various parts of South Asia as well as Central Asian, Persian, Turkish, Arabic and modern day Western popular music influences. With these multiple influences, a distinctive Pakistani sound has been formed. There are many genres of Pakistani Music right from Ghazal to Qawwalis to Sufi to Rock to Modern.Pakistan has produced many artists who has not only shined in their own country but have also made a mark around the Globe. Musicians like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jahan, Alam Lohar, Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Nazia Hassan, Khursheed Ahmad, Mohammad Tufail Niazi, Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Strings, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Call the Band and many more have successfully carved their own niche in the world music industry. Pakistani musicians have also collaborated with International artists. This shows and re-enforces their versatility as musicians. Nurat Fateh Ali Khan teamed with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ in 1985, with Canadian musician Michael Brook on the albums Mustt Mustt (1990) and Night Song (1996).

Many international singers and bands also come to Pakistan to perform.

Musical InstrumentsFlute (bansuri) is a transverse flute made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo with six or seven finger holes. An ancient musical instrument associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition, it is also depicted in Buddhist paintings from around 100 CE.

Chimta literally means tongs. Over time it has evolved into a traditional percussion instrument of South Asia by the permanent addition of small brass jingles. This instrument is often used in popular Punjabi folk songs, Bhangra music and the Sikh religious music known as Gurbani Kirtan.

Harmonium or the pump organ is a type of reed organ that generates sound with foot-pumped bellows.

Rubab, robab or rabab is a lute-like musical instrument. It derives its name from the Arab rebab which means "played with a bow" but the Central Asian instrument is plucked and is distinctly different in construction. The rubab is mainly used by Pashtun, Tajik, Kashmiri, Baluch and Iranian Kurdish classical musicians.

Tabla is a membranophone percussion instrument (similar to their Afro-Cuban/Latin-American drum-based relatives bongos), which are often used in Hindustani classical music, invented by the Indian Sufi saint Amir Khusro. It is still used in the music behind folk and sufi poetry.Dholak is a South Asian two-headed hand-drum. It may have traditional cotton rope lacing, screw-turnbuckle tensioning or both combined: in the first case steel rings are used for tuning or pegs a twisted inside the laces. The dholak is mainly a folk instrument, lacking the exact tuning and playing techniques of the tabla or the pakhawaj. The drum is pitched, depending on size, with an interval of perhaps a perfect fourth or perfect fifth between the two heads. It is related to the larger Punjabi dhol and the smaller dholki.

SPORTS IN PAKISTANOver recent years there has been an increase in sporting activity in Pakistan, with Pakistani sportsmen and women participating at many national and international events. Also, more international tournaments now take place in Pakistan. The size of the teams Pakistan sends, and the number of events they participate in, such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, World Games, and Commonwealth Games has increased since the turn of the century.Field hockey

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is the national governing body of field hockey in Pakistan. It is the national sport of Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation Women Wing (PHFWW) is the official organization of women's field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan national field hockey team has won 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games, and lifted the Hockey World Cup 4 times, a World Record. It has also won the most number of Asian gold medals, and is the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy with 3 titles. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top teams in the world. Notable players include World-Record holder Waseem Ahmad, Mohammed Saqlain, and Sohail Abbas. The player with most number of matches is none other than Waseem Ahmad.CricketCricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. Almost all districts and neighborhoods in Pakistan have a cricket team and people start playing from a young age. Imran Khan, former Pakistan Cricket team captain, has been named in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Saeed Anwar's 194 runs against India remained the record for most runs in an ODI for 11 years. Shoaib Akhtar holds the record of delivering the fastest delivery in the history of cricket. Shahid Afridi holds numerous records i.e. 2nd fastest century in ODIs, most number of sixes. Wasim Akram at the time of his retirement had most wickets in ODIs; Muhammad Yousuf has scored the most Test runs in a calendar year. The Pakistani cricket team has made their mark as one of the best cricket teams in the world. The wins of 1992 World Cup and the 2009 ICC T-20 World cup strengthen that fact.

The expertise in cricket is not only limited to the national team, but the womens team has brought home the title of 3rd runner ups in 2006 Asia Cup and Pakistan Blind Cricket team reached in the final of all the three editions of Blind Cricket World Cups (One-Day Cricket) and won the last two World Cups consecutively. SquashSquash is a popular sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the sport for a period of time. Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan are considered legends of the sport and have won several World Squash Championship and other tournaments. During his career Jahangir Khan won the World Open six times and the British Open a record ten times. Jansher Khan during his career, won the World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times. Carla Khan, one of Pakistan's most successful sportswomen, is one of a number of men and women who represent Pakistan.

Sports ClimbingThe Pakistan Sports Climbing Federation is the only governing body for sports climbing activities/sports in Pakistan. The headquarters of PSCF is in Quetta, Balochistan. Nazia Malik, National Champion for Sport Climbing 2011 & 2012 has a great knack of adventure. Besides winning 15 rock climbing competitions in a row, she got Elementary Paragliding License. She has also participated in Archery training, while trekking and camping is another area of her interest. Syed Zaki-ud-Din, an Engineer by profession is a naturally talented climber, has secured positions in various climbing competitions. Showing good performance as a skilled climber, he was selected as one of the four climbers to represent National Team for China in 2011.

Swimming: Up until recently, swimming struggled as a sport in Pakistan. But there has been a surge in interest, particularly with Rubab Raza. She was the youngest Olympic Pakistani competitor in Pakistan's history, aged 13 at the 2004 Summer Olympics.Other Traditional Games: Many other games that the locals hold expertise in are boxing, wrestling, weight lifting, canoeing, yachting, fishing, kabadi, pithu garam and Gulli Danda(This game is mostly played in villages). Other popular names include Aqib Javed, Aamir Sohail, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Aisam ul Haq and a British boxer holding a Pakistani origin, Amir Khan.INDUSTRIES IN PAKISTANPakistan ranks forty-first in the world and fifty-fifth worldwide in factory output. Pakistan's industrial sector accounts for about 24% of GDP. Cotton textile production and apparel manufacturing are Pakistan's largest industries, accounting for about 66% of the merchandise exports and almost 40% of the employed labor force. Mining and quarryingThe country has immense reserves of various minerals and natural resources. Important minerals found in Pakistan are gypsum, limestone, chromites, iron ore, rock salt, silver, gold, precious stones, gems, marble, copper, coal, graphite, sulphur, fire clay, silica. The salt range in Punjab Province has the largest deposit of pure salt found anywhere in the world. Balochistan province is a mineral-rich area having substantial mineral reserves. The province has significant quantities of copper, chromite and iron, and pockets of antimony and zinc in the south and gold in the far west. Major reserves of copper and gold in Balochistan's Reko Diq area have been discovered in early 2006. The Reko Diq mining area has proven estimated reserves of 2 billion tons of copper and 20 million ounces of gold. According to the current market price, the value of the deposits has been estimated at about $65 billion, which would generate thousands of jobs.The copper and gold are currently traded at about $5,000 per ton and $600 per ounce respectively in the international market. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province accounts for at least 78% of the marble production in Pakistan. Pakistan is home to some of the most finest and purest grades of marble, granite and slate found in the world. Much of the grades A Marble that is exported out of European countries like Italy actually have their origins in Pakistan which previously lacked fine polishing and processing machinery. The Government has taken steps to invest in this crucial sector with the recent establishment of a Marble City within Balochistan. Pakistan produced about 45 tons of Uranium in 2006. Textile IndustryThe Textile industry is the largest manufacturing industry in Pakistan. It has traditionally, after agriculture, been the only industry that has generated huge employment for both skilled and unskilled labor. Pakistan is the 8th largest exporter of textile products in Asia. Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the third largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India, and contributes 5% to the global spinning capacityFuel IndustryPakistan's first oil field was discovered in the late 1952 in Balochistan near a giant gas field at Sui in Balochistan. The Toot oil field was discovered in the early 1960s in the Punjab Province. Production has steadily increased since then. Natural gas was discovered near Sui, Balochistan in 1952. Sui gas field accounts for 6% of Pakistan's gas production. Remaining reserves are estimated to be at about 2 trillion cubic feet (57109 m3) and the daily production is around 604 million cubic feet (17.1106 m3).

AgricultureA major part of the economy depends on farming through production, processing and distribution of major agricultural commodities. About 65% of population of Pakistan live in villages and is dependent on agriculture formally or informally. It employs about 45% of the labor force and contributes 57% in total export earnings. It accounts for more than 22% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides raw material to major industries such as textile and sugar. Agriculture sector is still the largest single contributor to GDP and it will continue to absorb major labor contingent, provide food to people and raw material to industry. The country is quite rich in natural resources favorable for agricultural production. It has large areas of deep soils, favorable topography, suitable climatic conditions and water. The Indus Basin is one of the world's greatest natural resources, capable of producing over 100 million tons of food grains annually which hardly produces 50% of its potential. The country has a geographical area of 79.61 million hectares out of which 57.05 million hectares are reported with 22.17 million hectares as cultivated area which is about 39%. There is about 8.25 million hectares as culture-able waste which could be brought under cultivation by harnessing available water resources, improved water management, building additional surface storage and introduction of better adapted crops/varieties and livestock. Ninety percent of cultivated area is irrigated with canals, tube wells etc. while remaining 20% is rain-fed.

Pakistan is blessed with a variety of climatic and geographic regimes which are suitable to grow almost all kinds of food, fiber and cash crops including fruits and vegetables. Wheat and rice are the main staple food crops while cotton and sugarcane are the main cash/industrial crops and the economy of the country is purely dependent on them. The major crops include wheat, rice, maize, millets, sorghum, sugarcane, pulses, cotton, oil seeds. Pakistan is home to the aromatic long grain Basmati rice grown in the plans of north Punjab. Some of the best varieties of fruits are grown in Pakistan includes mangos, oranges, apples, peaches plums, apricots, cherries, grapes, pears, pomegranate, guava, melons and dates. A wide variety of vegetables are also produced in Pakistan. Sports IndustryThe local sports goods manufacturing industry is one of the major source of foreign exchange earnings of Pakistan. It is centralized in and around the city of Sialkot, where it has flourished as a cottage industry with most of its production by generations of skilled craftsmen. At the time of independence, this industry was in an infant stage with a nominal export of Rs. 0.82 million. The Government took immediate steps to develop this industry by providing loans and subsidies to the manufacturers and arrangements were made to market the manufactured goods. Since then, the industry has flourished locally and enjoys good reputation in the international markets as well.It is estimated that more than 75 per cent of the total production is exported every year. In fact, the export demand has acted as the main stimulus for the rapid growth of this industry because of care that goes into designing, manufacturing and selecting of raw materials. There are two factors which are responsible of this.(i) Low price as compared to general price level(ii) Durability plus good workmanshipFun fact:The Adidas Brazuca is the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in Brazil. It is made by the company Adidas, a FIFA Partner and FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball supplier since 1970. The ball was supplied for the world cup by Forward Sports of Sialkot, Pakistan. Tons of other international sporting events have availed the sports goods supplied by Pakistan.

Cottage IndustryIn Pakistan cottage or household industries hold an important position in rural set-up. Most villages are self-sufficient in the basic necessities of life. They have their own carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, craftsmen and cotton weavers. Many families depend on cottage industries for income.

Cottage industries have also gained immense importance in cities and towns. There is great demand for hand-woven carpets, embroidered work, brassware, rugs and traditional bangles. These are also considered important export items and are in good demand in international markets.

Handicrafts of PakistanThe marvelous artisanship is the most renowned cultural identification of Pakistan. The handicrafts making tradition is thousands of years oldPakistanicustom which is evident from the ancient excavations ofIndus Valley,Harappaand Mohen-jo-Darocivilizations. The handicrafts of Pakistan are particularly famous for the enchanting embellishment, attractive colors and bewitching textures. There is an ethnic division of the handicrafts making as many regions of Pakistan have their own individual handicraftsheritage.

Pakistaniartisansare very brilliant and genius in their skill.Whether it is embroidery, weaving, printing or designing, they are master in every quality. The second picture is about the traditional decorative goods have remained a phenomenal ingredient of theNorthern Pakistan. Thenext picture is the handmadewoodenpotteryespecially bowls and carves are the distinctive parts of the heritage ofHunza.

Sillanwaliis a small town located in theSargodhadistrict of Pakistan which is particularly famous for itswoodwork handicrafts, which are largely exported to other cities, provinces and even to other countries. In second picture, ahandwovenutensilis very popular not only in the rural but also in the urban areas of Sindh and Punjab in Pakistan. This is used for keepingChapati( Bread ) and commonly known asChaba.The other picture is of the traditional handmade buckets from Thatta The traditionalpenny banksormoney boxesmade ofclayhave still not lost their popularity among Pakistani kids. The handmadeKhussa shoesis the cultural footwear of Pakistan, which are made with fine leather and decorated with golden and silver threads, beads and sequins on traditional motifs.

Multanis also famous for the exotic handicrafts made with camel bones.Camel boneis considered as along lasting material for making amazing handicrafts and articles for decoration. Someclay potsare amazingly decorated with fantasticmirror workin Multan and theSouthern Punjab.

Who can deny the beauty of the superb and handmadepatchworkart of Sindh? Thehand knotted carpetsand orientalrugsof Pakistan are world famous and magnificent in their character. The people of Sindh love their traditional handwovenbucketsanddoor chimes.

Glass Bangles Industry is one of the most prominent cottage industry in Pakistan.

Image Gallery of Pakistani Wildlife and Natural HabitatPersian LeopardCaracal WildJungle cat

Fishing CatEurasian LynxPallas's cat

PakistanSand catChinkara GazelleUrial

Asiatic IbexAsiatic Black BearGolden Marmot

Wild AssDromedary camelCorsac fox

Golden jackalEgyptian fruit batIndian desert jird

Ladakh PikaHimalayan TahrArgali

BharalAlpineMarkhorsChakoors

Common MormonA common ButterflyCommon Blue Apollo

Leopard gecko Indus CrocodileAsaitic Cobra

IndusValley BullfrogIndus Valley ToadFinless porpoise

GouramiRainbow troutChaetodon collare

Blanford's foxDhole,Asiatic wild dogPersian goitered Gazelle

Rhesus macaqueGrey wolfSnow Leopard

Lahori Pigeon Wood Pigeon Common Emerald Dove

Common NightingaleRose-ringed Parakeet Bearded Reedling

Western Horned TragopanBlack FrancolinHimalayan Bulbul

Himalayan MonalHimalayan SnowcockLaggar Falcon

Common Kestrel Alexandrine Parakeet Houbara Bustard

Red-necked FalconAsiatic Peafowl Egyptian Vulture

Quick FactsPakistan has the seventh largest standing armed forces in the world and is also a nuclear power as well as a declared nuclear weapons state, being the only nation in the Muslim world, and the second in South Asia, to have that status. It has a semi-industrialized economy which is the 27th largest in the world in terms of purchasing power and 47th largest in terms of nominal GDP (as of year 2013).Pakistani artist are no strangers to filmography. Documentary film maker Mr. Nasir Malik has made films for the National Geographic channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and United Nation agencies.

The Pakistanis have also made their mark as academy award winners, Sharmeen Ubaid Chinoy for the documentary Saving face and Mir Zafar Ali, for movies The Golden Compass and the recent hit and a popular subject for internet memes, Frozen to name a few. Speaking of internet memes, "One Pound Fish" often stylised as "1 Fish" is a novelty song performed by British-based Pakistani fish trader and recording artist Muhammad Shahid Nazir, credited as 1 Fish Man. It was released on 7 December 2012 for download in the United Kingdom, reaching number 28 in the UK Singles Chart, number 5 in the UK Dance Chart, and number 1 in the UK Asian Chart. It became an internet smash and a viral video after passing customers uploaded videos of Nazir performing his song onto YouTube. A music video to accompany the release of "One Pound Fish" was first released on 10 December 2012 at a total length of two minutes and thirty-six seconds. It featured Bollywood-style dancers and an appearance from former weather forecaster Michael Fish.