803,950 sq km (502,469 sq miles).

130,579,571 (1998).

164.0 per sq km.

Islamabad.

799,000 (1998).

Pakistan has borders to the north with Afghanistan, to the east with India and to the west with Iran; the Arabian Sea lies to the south. In the northeast is the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, bounded by Afghanistan, China and India. Pakistan comprises distinct regions. The northern highlands – the Hindu Kush – are rugged and mountainous; the Indus Valley is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers dominating the upper region, eventually joining the Indus River and flowing south to the Makran coast; Sindh is bounded on the east by the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch, and on the west by the Kirthar Range; the Baluchistan Plateau is an arid tableland encircled by mountains.

Federal Islamic Republic since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1947. Head of State: President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar since 1997. Head of Government: Following a military coup in October 1999, General Parvez Musharraf took over as the leader of the new military regime.

Urdu is the national language. English is widely spoken. Regional languages include Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baluchi. There are numerous local dialects.

97% Muslim, the remainder are Hindu or Christian.

GMT + 5.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2- or 3-pin plugs are in use.