Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide
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About Pakistan
Although security issues can hamper travel and tourism in Pakistan, the country has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and a beautiful natural landscape.
Popular tourist destinations in Pakistan include the Neelum Valley, Skardu, Shogran Valley, Hunza Valley, and Fairy Meadows.
Countries neighbouring Pakistan: Iran, Afghanistan, China and India.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan became an independent state in 1947, and until December 1971 it included the province of East Pakistan; now Bangladesh.
About Pakistan
Although freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, the amended constitution defines Pakistan as an Islamic nation; with Islamic Shana law the supreme law of Pakistan.
Hindi, Urdu & Bengali
Phrasebook:
Filled to the brim with Hindi, Urdu and Bengali phrases on everything from hiking to
shopping and eating out, this essential phrasebook will make your trip to India and
Pakistan much more enjoyable.
The official language of Pakistan is English. While the national language of Pakistan is Urdu, Punjabi is probably the most widely spoken.
Hindu Kush Mountains
The Hindu Kush mountains extend through parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.
Over twenty peaks exceed 7,000 m. The highest point, Tirich Mir (7,690 m), is in Pakistan.
Peshawar
You're entering another world when you come to the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan; it's almost Afghanistan.
The religion of Islam is so strong here, that even the three-wheeler motorbike taxis have covers on the passenger sections to hide the women from view.
Near the entrance to the Khyber Pass, this ancient trading settlement was known as Purushapure. Today there are many gun shops in Peshawar, and they do a roaring trade with their neighbours.
The Peshawar Museum houses an important collection of sculpture from the ancient Gandhara civilisation.
Khyber Pass
This is the most important pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan; Peshawar to Kabul.
For centuries the Khyber Pass was used by aggressors heading to India.
During the Afghan Wars, in the 19th century, there were many skirmishes here between the armies of the British Raj and native Afghans.
In January 1842, about 16,000 British and Indian troops were killed.
In the 1980s, when Afghanistan was occupied by the Soviets, the Khyber Pass was a major supply route to the Afghan guerrillas.
Islamabad
The capital of Pakistan, is in the north of the country; on the Potwar Plateau, near Rawalpindi.
The site of Islamabad was chosen to replace Karachi as the capital of Pakistan in 1959. Urban planners set to work, and the new city became the official capital in 1967.
A lot of the construction work wasn't completed until the mid-1970s though.
Of the modern buildings in Islamabad, the most notable are the National Assembly Building, and the home of the President; known as Pakistan House.
The Faisal Mosque, built in 1985, was designed to look like a desert tent. Its four surrounding minarets are all about 90 m high.
Where to Stay in Islamabad
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi was used as the provisional capital of Pakistan from 1959 to 1967, while construction was being completed in Islamabad.
The distinct culture that flourished on the Rawal Plateau some 3,000 years ago attracts the curious tourists today.
Where to Stay in Rawalpindi
Lahore
Lahore is the cultural capital of Pakistan; offering a wide range of cultural activities.
Lahore was probably at its greatest during the time of the Mughal Empire (1526- 1707) and there are many architecturally significant buildings and monuments from this time.
Getting to Lahore
Mini-coaches run to Lahore from Karachi.
Where to Stay in Lahore
Karakoram
The Karakorum mountain range is in the Himalayas, between the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and north-western Pakistan.
The range includes K2 (8,611 m), the second highest peak in the world.
The Kahmir border area between Pakistan and India has also been the scene of snowy gun- battles between the two disputing cousins.
Karachi
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, located on the Arabian Sea.
The port, centred on the island of Kiamari, also serves as an outlet for landlocked Afghanistan.
Karachi was a small fishing and trading centre when the British captured it in 1839. Karachi grew in importance under the British; for the export of cotton and grain from the Indus Valley.
There is a long beach in Karachi, but it is rather dirty and better suited to camels. It can get busy on a Sunday.
After independence many Muslim refugees from India settled in Karachi, and in recent years the former capital has seen bombings and riots between rival political, religious, and ethnic groups.
Karachi Attractions
The tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, is in Karachi.
Indus Valley Civilisations
The National Museum of Pakistan displays important materials from the Indus Valley civilisations; one of the world's first great civilisations, similar to the Bronze Age cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete.
Mohenjo-daro Ruins
The Indus Valley ruins of the ancient city, Mohenjo-daro (in the southern province of Sind, south of Sukkur), date back to 2500 BC.
Where to Stay in Karachi
Pakistan Maps and Travel Guides
Pakistan Travel Guides - Pakistan Maps.
Weather in Asia:
Local weather forecasts for destinations around Asia.
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