Green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam.
4 provinces, 2 centrally administered areas*, one territory**, and one capital territory***: Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas**, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory***, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. The Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan.
Population:
147,663,429 (July 2002 est.)
Languages:
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Geographic coordinates:
30° 00' N, 70° 00' E
Area total:
803,940 sq. km
Land area:
778,720 sq. km
Water area:
25,220 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
6,774 km
Borders with neighbor countries:
Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:
1,046 km
Elevation extremes:
Indian Ocean 0 m - K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Internet country code:
.pk
Currency:
Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Name - conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Name - conventional short form:
Pakistan
Former name:
West Pakistan
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from UK)
Constitution:
10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985, suspended 15 October 1999