Here we are with another blog on the series “KNOW OUR WORLD”. In this blog, we will talk about a country, globally famous for colorful trucks around the globe and hence, it is one of those tourist attractions that make it a unique country, i.e., Pakistan.
Pakistan is a country in South Asia. It is the world’s fifth-most populous country and has the world’s second-largest Muslim population. Pakistan is the 33rd-largest country by area.
Table of Contents
Major Statistics:
Let’s discuss some important aspects of this country first.
- Official Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Capital city: Islamabad
- State Religion: Islam
- National Anthem: Qaumī Tarānah, also known as, Pak Sarzamin (written by Hafeez Jalandhari)
- National Motto: Īmān, Ittihād, Nazam (Faith, Unity, and Discipline)
- Official Language: Urdu and English
Recognized languages: Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi
Sub-provincial languages: Saraiki, Shina, Kashmiri - Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
- National Flower: Common Jasmine
- National Tree: Himalayan Cedar
- National Fruits: Mango (summer), Guava (winter)
- National Animal: Indus River Dolphin (national mammal), Snow Leopard and Shaheen Falcon (national predators)
- National Bird: Chukar Partridge
- National Sport: Field Hockey
- National Flag:
- The National Flag of Pakistan was designed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to represent Pakistan’s commitment to Islam and the rights of religious minorities. The dark green background represents the Muslim majority, the thinner white vertical stripe represents other religious minorities. The white crescent represents progress and the five-pointed star represents light and knowledge.
- National Day: 23 March
Geography:
Pakistan is a South Asian country. It has the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to its South, India to the East, Afghanistan in the West, Iran in the Southwest, China in Northeast. It is separated from Tajikistan by Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor in the Northwest.
- Largest city: Karachi
- Largest state (by area): Balochistan
- Smallest state (by area): Islamabad Capital Territory
- Ethnic groups: Punjabis (majority), Pashtuns, Sindhis, Saraikis, Muhajirs, Balochs and others.
- Major mountain peaks: The major mountain ranges are Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Pamir Mountain ranges. 5 of the 14 highest peaks in the world are in Pakistan. They are, K2, K5 (Gasherbrum I), K4 (Gasherbrum II), Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak
- Rivers: Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, and Indus are the major rivers.
Polity:
- Current President (ceremonial head and civilian commander-in-chief of the army): Arif-ur-Rehman Alvi
- Current Prime Minister: Imran Khan
- First President: Iskander Ali Mirza
- First Prime Minister: Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan
- Political Parties: Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf (ruling party), Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Pakistani Muslim League – N, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).
Some Interesting Facts:
- The name Pakistan derives from two words, “Pak,” which is Persian for holy, clean or pure, and “istan” derives from the Hindi word “isthan“, which means a place.
- Pakistan has six designated UNESCO World Heritage sites: the archaeological ruins at Mohenjo-Daro, the Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and neighbouring city remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol, the fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, the monuments at Makli, Fort Rohtas, and the ancient ruins of Taxila.
- Pakistan has the world’s largest contiguous irrigation system, according to the United Nations.
- Some of the highest mountains in the world are located in Pakistan. The world’s second-tallest mountain is in the country and has many names: Dapsang or Chogori locally, Mount Godwin-Austen in English and Qogir Fengin Chinese. But most people know it simply as K2, standing at 8,611 meters, or 28,251 feet.
- The national anthem is ranked the world’s best country anthem, and Pakistan also holds the record for the highest number of people singing the anthem together.
- The country has the 6th biggest population in the world.
- The people of Pakistan have been polled as the fourth most intelligent people worldwide. The Institute of European Business Administration ranked 125 countries. Pakistan has the seventh largest collection of scientists and engineers.
- Pakistan is also home to the world’s highest ATM. It belongs to the National Bank and is at 4963m, at the Khunjerab Pass.
- Pakistan is home to the world’s third largest glacier, Biafo Glacier, which is 63km long. It’s the largest glacial system outside of the polar regions.
So, this is all for this blog. We’ll keep updating you with such interesting blogs in future as well so that you don’t face any difficulty while appearing for competitive exams such as SSC CHSL, NET JRF, etc.
In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the country Bangladesh. Click here to Know Country – ‘Bangladesh’.
