Political Map of Pakistan shows the international boundaries, provincial boundaries, national capital along with the provincial capitals.
Officially an Islamic country, Pakistan is situated in South Asia. The country’s geography is an intense amalgamation of scenes and sceneries of various types including forests, plains full of deserts; and highlands of the Arabian Sea’s coastal regions in the South and the Karakoram’s mountains of the Hindu Kush (Himalayas) in the north. The land of Pakistan can be distributed into 5 chief regions- the ranges and sub-ranges of Karakoram and Himalaya; the western mountains and the Hindu Kush; the Balochistan highland; the Indus River plain and the submontane highland (Potwar highland, trans-Indus plain, Sialkot area, and the Salt Range). Pakistan is surrounded by India in the East; Iran in the West, Afghanistan in the Northwest, and China to the northeast.
Demography of Pakistan
The total population of Pakistan as per the UN data is 222,077, 824 as of Oct 2020 which is equal to 2.83% of the overall population of the world. Pakistan’s population density is 287/SqKm on the overall land area of 770,880SqKm2 and around 35.1% of the country’s populace is urban. Life expectancy at birth is 67.79 years for both males and females. The infant mortality rate in Pakistan is 55.8 deaths/1000 births; while the death rate under age 5 is 68.2 deaths/1000 births. Pakistan is the 5th most populous nation across the world and it is the 2nd biggest country in the world with a Muslim populace.
Culture of Pakistan
The culture of Pakistan is quite vibrant, colorful, and vivacious, thanks to the country’s geographical, ethnic and historical diversity. In fact, the culture here is the melting pot of Persian, Indian, Central, South, and Western Asian and Afghan influences. The culture, customs, and tradition of Pakistan strictly follow one religion, i.e. Islam. The social protocols and the food eaten must also conform to the Islamic rules and principles. The ethnic construction of the country includes Sindhi, Punjabi, Pathan (Pashtun); Muhajir (Indian immigrants during 1947 partition), and the Baloch. Urdu is the official and most commonly spoken language across the nation. Apart from Urdu, other languages spoken in the country include Siraiki, Punjabi, Pashtu, Sindhi, Hindko, Balochi, Burushaski, Brahui, Khawar, Gujrati, Balti, and other languages with an insignificant number of speakers.
Top places to visit in Pakistan
Naltar valley
Popular for its vibrant lakes, Naltar valley is located 2.5- hours’ drive from Gilgit, the capital town of Gilgit-Baltistan (a region in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir). Naltar is considered an all-weather tourist spot; you can go skiing during winter and enjoy beautiful and lush green lake views and landscaping during summers.
Shangrila resort, Skardu
Situated in Pakistan’s extreme North location; Skardu is the central value of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is one of the grandiose places to visit across Pakistan; if you want to experience the essence of exquisiteness, wilderness, and serenity, you must certainly visit Skardu. Settled amongst some of the highest mountain peaks of the world, Skardu is reasonably called the ‘Paradise on earth.’
Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir
Another amazing valley situated in Azad-Kashmir is the Neelum Valley that hosts forests, brooks, lush green highlands, rivers, and freshwater streams of different sizes and shapes. The valley is nearly 100 km away from the Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan. If you happen to visit Pakistan, this place should top your list of places to visit.
What is the best ideal time to visit Pakistan?
The best time to visit Pakistan is in between May to October as it is very little to nil snow across the country; in fact, the summer vacation makes the place very lively and vibrant.
