Assalam-o-Alaikum! Welcome to the land of pure peaks and ancient civilizations—Pakistan, a South Asian nation that bridges the Middle East and Central Asia. There are around 250 million people living here, and the capital is Islamabad, a planned city known for its greenery and the iconic Faisal Mosque, though Karachi is the sprawling coastal megacity and economic engine. The official languages are Urdu and English, while dozens of regional languages like Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Balochi are spoken by millions.
Pakistan covers about 796,095 square kilometers (307,374 square miles). It’s roughly twice the size of the state of California in the U.S., or about the same size as Turkey. The landscape is incredibly diverse, stretching from the Arabian Sea in the south to the Karakoram mountains in the north, home to five of the world’s 14 “eight-thousander” peaks.
The most popular sport is Cricket, which is a national passion, though Field Hockey is the official national sport and the country has a rich history of squash champions. Their national animal is the Markhor, a majestic wild goat with spiral horns that live in the high mountains of the north.
The flag consists of a dark green field with a vertical white stripe on the left and a white crescent and star in the center, where the green represents the Muslim majority, the white stripe symbolizes the religious minorities, and the crescent and star represent progress and light.
The food is a spice-rich journey of deep flavors. You must try Biryani, a fragrant layered rice dish with meat and aromatic spices. Another staple is Nihari, a slow-cooked beef stew that is often eaten for breakfast with fresh Naan. For a grilled treat, try Sikh Kebabs or Chappli Kebabs. Because of the tea culture, you’ll find locals enjoying Chai (strong milk tea) or Kashmiri Chai, which is naturally pink and topped with crushed pistachios.
Pakistan is home to K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth, and the Baltoro Glacier, one of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions. The country features the ruins of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, which were part of the Indus Valley Civilization—one of the oldest urban civilizations in the world. You can visit the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture made of red sandstone. For a unique experience, witness the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border, a high-energy display of military precision. Interestingly, the Karakoram Highway is often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” because it is the highest paved international road on the planet.
From the bustling food streets of Lahore to the serene, blue waters of Attabad Lake, Pakistan is a land of profound history and legendary mountain hospitality. Shukriya! That means “Thank you!”