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Karachi - Pakistan
  Pakistan stretches 1,000 mi. (1,600 km.) from the Arabian Sea in the south to the great Himalayan Mountains in the north. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the south, Iran in the west, Afghanistan in the northwest, China in the north, and India in the east and southeast. Part of the northern boundary covers the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim. Pakistan calls the self-governing section it has long occupied Azad ("free") Kashmir. Pakistan's four provinces are the Punjab, Sind, the North-West Frontier, and Baluchistan. The North-West Frontier contains several Tribal Areas, which Pathan (or Pashtun) tribes largely govern themselves. Geographically, Pakistan can be divided into three main regions. First is the region of the northern highlands, the site of some of the world's tallest mountains. K-2, the world's highest peak after Mt. Everest, is located in the remote Himalayan region of Baltistan. The north's rugged and well-forested mountains abound in wildlife—everything from the majestic Marco Polo sheep to the endangered snow leopard. To the west of the Indus River is the second main region, made up of the Baluchistan Plateau. High mountain ridges rise from the plateau and reach a maximum height of 11,290 ft. (3,441 m.) at Takht-i-Sulaiman. The Baluchistan Plateau is mostly arid and barren, although some valleys have water and are cultivated. This region is home to the world's largest juniper forest. Pakistan's third major region is the Indus River plain on the river's eastern side. The plain is fertile near the reaches of the Indus River and its tributaries; it becomes drier as it approaches the Thar Desert in the southeast. A second desert, the Thai, lies just west of the Indus River, bordering the fertile plains of Punjab. Wildlife such as bears, wildcats, and hyenas live in the plains area. The most important river in Pakistan is the Indus, which rises in Tibet and, after flowing through mountains and ravines, enters the plains of Pakistan. The Indus, together with its tributaries, is the mainstay of Pakistan's agriculture, which depends upon an extensive network of irrigation canals. Because of limited rainfall, mountain snow is an important source of water for the rivers that feed the canals. Pakistan's present culture bears the bold imprint of its past. Four-thousand-year-old toy carts dug out of the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro could be copies of the bullock carts still plying Sind province's dusty roads. Many pots used today by the village folk around Harappa, an ancient site in Punjab province, are direct descendants of those used 4,000 years ago. Pakistani Muslims still respond to daily calls to prayer, just as their ancestors did many centuries ago, and their way of life is profoundly influenced by Islamic law. Amid these ancient places and traditions are the cities where 30 percent of all Pakistanis live. Their streets are crowded with automobiles and with men and women rushing to and from work in offices and in factories. The "noise of democracy"—the give-and-take of public debate —has brought the mass media to life since the end of authoritarian rule in the late 1980s. Despite widespread poverty and illiteracy and one of the world's fastest-growing populations, Pakistan is in rapid transition, trying to adapt its traditional culture to the demands of modern economic development. Climate Pakistan's climate is dominated by the Asiatic monsoon. The hottest season stretches from mid-April to mid-July. Dry winds that often carry sand fan the Indus Valley in the south, where the temperatures are highest. Rain falls steadily from mid-July to mid-September. Summer rains and winter snow cool the mountains and foothills of the north and west, where subfreezing winter temperatures are common. Temperatures on the eastern plains also vary widely from season to season, ranging from 114° F. (46° C.) in June to 40° F. (4° C.) in January. If you have a home in Pakistan, you will either have an inadequate to opulent living conditions. Wealthy landowners, industrialists, and others may live in large, comfortable villas with all modern conveniences, including swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Middle-income families often live in apartments in the cities of Pakistan, while some have saved enough money to build houses. In the villages, the more typical houses are built of well-kneaded mud or unbaked bricks and usually have flat roofs. Many villages receive no electric service, and villagers must draw their water from wells rather than from pipes brought into the home. Food. Wheat bread is Pakistan's staple food. Chapati, flat wheat bread baked in a tandoor, or brick oven, are eaten at practically every meal. The breads are supplemented with meat and vegetables. Pakistanis drink tea in great quantities. They often serve it with milk and sugar. On special occasions, they will flavor it with cardamom or other spices. Dahi, the Pakistani form of yogurt, is also popular. For meat, kabobs—broiled, baked, or fried meat, either cut into cubes and pieces or minced—are popular. Pakistanis also eat gormas and salans, which are sautes or stews made of meats, vegetables, and sometimes eggs and fish. Pakistanis avoid pork, which is forbidden under Muslim religious law. Importantly, pack some medicine for your stomach because you might come across with a case of the runs. Dress. The shawar kameez is the common form of dress for both men and women. The outfit consists of baggy, pajamalike pants (shawar) and a long tunic (kameez). In keeping with tenets of Islamic modesty, women wear a dupatta, a long scarf that is draped across the bosom and hangs behind the back on two sides. Women often cover the head with the dupatta. Some women are required to live in purdah ("curtain"), where they remain in seclusion with other females. When they go out, these women cover their faces with a veil, or with the tentlike burka, which covers the entire body and allows vision through a net screen. Men often wear some form of headdress particular to their locale. In the cities, a considerable number of men wear European clothes. Festivals. Pakistani festivals are mostly religious in nature. The greatest occasion is the Id al Fitr, "the festival of the breaking of the fast." It follows Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. Early in the morning during this holiday, the family will have a light breakfast of a thin spaghetti, vermicelli, and sweet milk, pistachios, raisins, and dates. The mosques then fill with worshipers, all wearing their most festive clothing. This is followed by visits to friends and relatives, and all visitors are offered sweets. The other id, or festival, is the Id al Adha, "the feast of sacrifice." The Id al Adha commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son at God's command. Pakistanis also celebrate national holidays, such as Pakistan Day, a commemoration of March 23, 1956, when Pakistan proclaimed itself an Islamic republic. Streams of colored lights adorn buildings on Pakistan Day, and people light fireworks and shoot guns into the air. Language. Urdu, spoken as a first language by about 9 percent of the population, is Pakistan's official language. About 64 percent speak Punjabi, 12 percent Sindhi, and 24 percent a variety of other languages, including Pashto, Baluchi, and Brahui. All but Brahui (which is Dravidian) belong to the large Indo-European language family. English is officially recognized as an associate language. | |
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Article Contributors Anonymous user updated 1 year ago Anonymous user updated 1 year ago |
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