Pakistan
Asia · Southern Asia
Overview
Pakistan lies in South Asia, between India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran, with a coastline on the Arabian Sea. The country was a central territory of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished as early as around 3300 BC, and modern Pakistan was created in 1947 through the partition of British colonial India, when the subcontinent was divided along religious lines into India and Pakistan, a process accompanied by severe ethnic and religious conflict. The territory also played a significant role during the Mughal Empire, and this architectural legacy remains a defining part of the country's cultural landscape today. The official languages are Urdu and English, and the majority of the population is Muslim.
Mohenjo-daro, one of the best-excavated cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, built around 2500 BC with advanced drainage and urban planning systems, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980 and preserves one of the earliest examples of Bronze Age urbanization. Lahore Fort and the adjoining Shalimar Gardens, masterpieces of Mughal-era architecture, also form a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside the Badshahi Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world at the time of its opening in 1673. Taxila, an ancient Buddhist center of learning that served as a meeting point of Greek, Persian, and Indian cultural influences in the region, is also on the UNESCO list. Islamabad, the relatively young, planned capital, home to the Faisal Mosque, the largest mosque in the world at the time of its completion, is a symbol of modern Pakistan.
Northern Pakistan, where the Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges meet, is home to two of the world's five highest peaks, including K2, the second-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest and considered by mountaineers to be a technically even more challenging climb. The Hunza Valley, with its scenic mountain landscape and local population known for longevity, is one of the region's most popular tourist destinations. The Karakoram Highway, connecting Pakistan with China, is one of the highest-elevation international roads in the world, offering dramatic mountain scenery. Local cuisine is built around rice and meat dishes, with biryani, a spiced rice dish with meat, and nihari, a slow-cooked spiced meat stew, as signature dishes, traditionally served with naan bread.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
The Buddhist monastic complex of Takht-i-Bahi (Throne of Origins) was founded in the early 1st century. Owing to its location on the crest of a high hill, it escaped successive invasions and is still exceptionally well preserved. Nearby are the ruins of Sahr-i-Bahlol, a small fortified city dating from the same period.
Taxila
From the ancient Neolithic tumulus of Saraikala to the ramparts of Sirkap (2nd century B.C.) and the city of Sirsukh (1st century A.D.), Taxila illustrates the different stages in the development of a city on the Indus that was alternately influenced by Persia, Greece and Central Asia and which, from the 5th century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D., was an important Buddhist centre of learning.
Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
The ruins of the huge city of Moenjodaro – built entirely of unbaked brick in the 3rd millennium B.C. – lie in the Indus valley. The acropolis, set on high embankments, the ramparts, and the lower town, which is laid out according to strict rules, provide evidence of an early system of town planning.
Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta
The capital of three successive dynasties and later ruled by the Mughal emperors of Delhi, Thatta was constantly embellished from the 14th to the 18th century. The remains of the city and its necropolis provide a unique view of civilization in Sind.
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
These are two masterpieces from the time of the brilliant Mughal civilization, which reached its height during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort contains marble palaces and mosques decorated with mosaics and gilt. The elegance of these splendid gardens, built near the city of Lahore on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and large ornamental ponds, is unequalled.
Rohtas Fort
Following his defeat of the Mughal emperor Humayun in 1541, Sher Shah Suri built a strong fortified complex at Rohtas, a strategic site in the north of what is now Pakistan. It was never taken by storm and has survived intact to the present day. The main fortifications consist of the massive walls, which extend for more than 4 km; they are lined with bastions and pierced by monumental gateways. Rohtas Fort, also called Qila Rohtas, is an exceptional example of early Muslim military architecture in Central and South Asia.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Pakistan?
The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.
What is the area of Pakistan?
The area of Pakistan is 881,912 km².
What is the population of Pakistan?
The population of Pakistan is 251,269,164.
What is the currency of Pakistan?
The currency of Pakistan is Pakistani rupee (PKR).
What is the official language of Pakistan?
The official language of Pakistan: English, Urdu.
What side of the road does Pakistan drive on?
Pakistan: Left-hand traffic.
Is Pakistan a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Pakistan is a member of the United Nations.