Pakistan Study: Geography, History, Economy, and Culture

Pakistan Study

Geography

• Location: South Asia, bordered by India, Afghanistan, Iran, and China
• Terrain: Mountains (Himalayas, Karakoram), plateaus, and plains (Indus River)
• Climate: Varied, ranging from tropical to temperate and arctic in the north

History

• Ancient civilizations: Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE), Gandhara Civilization
• British colonial rule (1858-1947)
• Independence: August 14, 1947, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the first Governor-General
• Early years: Islamic Republic of Pakistan (1956), Constitution of Pakistan (1956)

Economy

• Agriculture: Major sector, with crops like cotton, wheat, and rice
• Industry: Textiles, food processing, and pharmaceuticals
• Natural resources: Natural gas, coal, and iron ore

Politics and Government

• Federal parliamentary republic with a president as head of state
• Bicameral legislature: National Assembly and Senate
• Provincial governments: Four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan) and two territories (Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan)

Culture

• Islamic Republic with a majority Muslim population
• Urdu as the national language, with English as the official language
• Rich cultural heritage, with influences from Mughal, Persian, and Arabic traditions
• Festivals: Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and Independence Day (August 14)