Geography and Culture

• Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north

• Flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistanplateau in west

• Climate:

• Mostly hot, dry desert;

temperate in northwest;

arctic in north

• Islamabad

• 2 million people live here

• Population is 181 million,

more than half of the

United States.

• 2nd Largest Muslim

country in the world,

behind Indonesia.

• 43% of the population is

under 15.

• U.S. 20% under 15.

• Median Age: 19

• 95% Muslim (75% Sunni;

20% Shiite)

• Punjabi 44%,

• Pashtu 15% (mostly in

West, near Afghanistan

(Tribal reserve, Swat

Valley, Taliban),

• Balance made up of

various smaller ethnic

groups.

• GDP: $2600 ($U.S.: 46000)

• Life Expectancy: 65 years

• Below poverty: 24%

• Unemployment: 15%

• Literacy rate: 50% (63% male, 36% females)

• Although the majority of Pakistanis live in cities or established

areas, there are some that live in the tribal region as well

• The area is in the Northwestern part of the country that

boarders Afghanistan

• The territory is almost exclusively inhabited by the Pashtuns, who

also live in neighboring province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and

Afghanistan and are largely Muslims.

• 3,341,070 people, or roughly 2% of Pakistan's population.

• 34% managed to rise about the poverty line

• Per capita income $663

• Water pollution from

raw sewage, industrial

wastes, and agricultural

runoff; limited natural

fresh water resources; a

majority of the

population does not

have access to potable

water; deforestation; soil

erosion; desertification

• Inflation rate 14%,

• National debt 50% of GDP

• Growth 4.8%, largely because of U.S. aid

• Underdeveloped, huge inflation rate, dependent on foreign aid.

• In 2008 U.S. gave them 12 billion in aid about ½ their budget.

Name Global rank

Apricot 3rd

Buffalo Milk 2nd

Chickpea 3rd

Cotton, lint 4th

Cotton, Seed 3rd

Dates 5th

Mango 6th

Onion, dry 4th

Oranges 11th

Rice, paddy 11th

Sugarcane 5th

Tangerines 9th

Wheat 10th

• Pakistan is an ideological

Islamic state. Its very

existence is due to Islam.

So Pakistani culture is

primarily based on the

Islamic way of life.

• Dress is an important

part of culture. Nudity is

prohibited in Islam.

People therefore wear

simple and grateful

dress.

• Women wear burqas or

hijabs

The Pakistani cuisines are rich in oil and chilies. Pakistani dishes must include meat, chicken and beef, though pork is totally forbidden as per Islamic teachings. Although eating habits differ from regions to region, the mainstay of the Pakistani diet is "chapatti or roti" made from flour. "Lassi" ( Butter Milk) a usual drink made like a milkshake in a homemade utensil from curd/yogurt and water is usually taken at lunch time, especially during the summers as it beats the effects of hard weather. It is usually customary to eat a dessert after the dinner, which mainly comprises "Kheer" (made from rice and milk) and sweetened rice "Zarda". Rice though scarcely eaten in many parts, pulla´o (lightly fried rice with vegetables) and biryani (rice with meat or vegetables and spices) are the two very favorite dishes of rice, especially in marriages. "Mithai" a kind of sweet made of corn flour, sugar and milk is the favorite sweet for all ages.

• Many games are

played in Pakistan which

reflects cultural identity.

Wrestling, Hockey,

Cricket, Basketball,

Kabaddi and Squash

are some of the games

played all over the

country.

• Language is one of the basic factor in culture. The regional languages of Pakistan are Sindhi, Punjabi, Baluchi, Pushto, Saraiki, Brahvi, Gojriand Hindku are the product of the same cultural background which brought Urdu into existence and later Urdu was adopted as a national language and chief vehicle of cultural and National Society.

• Allowed up to 4 wives

• Can be arranged

• Have to pay a bride

dowry – 12% on annual

income

• Dating is frowned upon

• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience.

• On 14 August, the people of Pakistan celebrate the day when Pakistan gained its independence from British India, and formed an independent state for Muslims. There are many celebrations all over the country, with people singing and dancing in the streets. Concerts are held with many pop and classical singers. Parades are held in Islamabad. Many people decorate their houses and fly the flag of Pakistan. At night, fireworks are used in many cities. Many people pray for the country and reflect on their pride in the country of Pakistan.