Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the capital city of Pakistan?
What is the capital city of Pakistan?
Which of the following civilizations is NOT mentioned as part of Pakistan's ancient cultures?
Which of the following civilizations is NOT mentioned as part of Pakistan's ancient cultures?
Which territory gained independence from Pakistan in 1971?
Which territory gained independence from Pakistan in 1971?
In what year did Pakistan officially draft its constitution?
In what year did Pakistan officially draft its constitution?
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What type of government has Pakistan commonly alternated between since gaining independence?
What type of government has Pakistan commonly alternated between since gaining independence?
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Study Notes
Pakistan Geography and Demographics
- Located in South Asia
- Fifth most populous country, with over 241.5 million people
- Second-largest Muslim population (2023)
- Capital city: Islamabad
- Largest city and financial centre: Karachi
- 33rd largest country by area
- Borders: Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Sir Creek; India, Afghanistan, Iran, China
- Shares maritime border with Oman; separated from Tajikistan by Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor
Pakistan's Ancient History
- Site of ancient cultures like the 8,500-year-old Mehrgarh site (Balochistan)
- Home to the Indus Valley Civilization (Bronze Age) and the ancient Gandhara civilization
- Ruled by numerous empires and dynasties: Gandhāra, Achaemenid, Maurya, Kushan, Parthian, Paratarajas, Gupta; Umayyad Caliphate (southern regions), Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Delhi Sultanate, Samma, Shah Miris, Mughals, Durranis, Sikhs; British Raj (1858-1947)
Pakistan's Independence and History
- Independence gained in 1947 after the Partition of British Indian Empire
- Motivated by the Pakistan Movement and 1946 All-India Muslim League victories
- Initially a Dominion of the British Commonwealth
- Official constitution drafted in 1956 and declared an Islamic republic in that same year
- East Pakistan seceded in 1971 to form Bangladesh after a civil war
- Political history characterized by alternating civilian/military, democratic/authoritarian, secular/Islamist governments for the next four decades
- A middle power nation
- World's sixth-largest standing armed forces
- Declared nuclear-weapons state
- Considered an emerging and growth-leading economy with a growing middle class
- Still faces poverty, illiteracy, corruption and terrorism
- Member of the UN, SCO, OIC, Commonwealth, SAARC and IMCTC
- Designated as a major non-NATO ally by the US
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Description
Test your knowledge about Pakistan's geography, demographics, and rich ancient history. This quiz covers important aspects such as its location in South Asia, ancient civilizations, and the timeline of its independence. Explore the diverse cultural and historical context of Pakistan through this engaging assessment.
