Pakistan at a Glance

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• Location:  just west of India.
  
  
• Population:  162 million, the sixth most populated country in the world.
  
  
• Size:  slightly larger than twice the size of California.
  
  
• Languages:  Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (the language of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), and other languages 8%.
  
  
• Religions:  Muslim 97% (Sunni 77% and Shi’a 20%); Christian, Hindu and other, 3%.
  
  
• Life expectancy:  62 years for men, 64 for women.
  
  
• Number of people affected by earthquake of October 8, 2005:  At least 73,000 killed and more than 3 million left homeless.
  
  
• Literacy rate:  45% overall  (men 60%, women 30%).
  
  
• History:  Originally part of India, Pakistan became a separate country when India gained independence from the British in 1947.  The reason for the split was religious:  Pakistan was the predominantly Muslim area of India and wanted its own country.  It was created as East and West Pakistan; one country in two sections separated in-between by India.  A war between Pakistan and India in 1971 led to East Pakistan breaking off and becoming Bangladesh.  (See map above).

Ever since 1947 there has been tension between Pakistan and India over a disputed border in the Kashmir area in northern Pakistan, which led to two wars between the countries in 1947-48 and 1965.  Tensions continue to this day between the two countries, though in 2005 some progress has been made towards trying to resolve the Kashmir issue.