The Islamic republic of Pakistan came into being as an independent sovereign state on 14th August 1947, as a result of the division of former British India. It lies between 23-35 to 37- 05 north latitude and 60-50 to 77- 50 east longitude touching the Hindukush Mountains in the north and extending from the Pamirs tothe Arabian Sea. Pakistan covers 796,095 sq.km with a population of 132.35 million according to population census 1998. It is divided into four provinces:
Punjab
Sindh
Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa
Balochistan Gilgit Baltistan Azad Kashmir 
Pakistan has an agricultural economy with a world’s largest network of canals irrigating a major part of its cultivated land. Wheat, cotton, rice and sugar cane are the major crops. Among fruits: mangos, oranges, bananas and apples are grown in abundance in different parts of the country. The main natural resources are natural gas, coal, salt and iron. The country has an expanding Cotton, Textiles, sugar, cement, and chemicals industry, play an important role in its economy.
Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and north western high mountainous ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months of April to September are very pleasant.
The country consists of a vast area that was the great center of ancient civilizations of the world. Its historical sites beginning with stone-age to Twentieth Century A.D are a mirror of the life of its people who were, by nature, simple, hospitable and hard working. Ancient sites revealed in Taxila, Harappa, and Moenjodaro speak for Pakistan’s rich cultural background dating back to 3,000 B.C.
Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan, based on its varied cultures, peoples and landscapes. Himalayan hill stations attract those interested in field and winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000 m, which attracts adventurers from around the world. The northern parts of Pakistan have many old fortresses, towers and other architecture as well as the Hunza and Chitral valleys, the latter being home to the small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community who claim descent from the army of Alexander the Great. In the Punjab is the site of Alexander's battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital with many examples of Mughal architecture such as the Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Jahangir;s tomb and the Lahore Fort. 
For those with an intrinsic love of mountains, Pakistan offers the unique pleasure of its northern mountain ranges, the Himalayas, the Hindukush and the Karakorams - with such formidable peaks as the K-2, the Nanga Parbat, the Rakaposhi, and the Trichmir. These ranges present an awesome challenge for those looking for trekking, mountaineering or jeep safaris.
Pakistan is a country with a rich heritage and culture. This section highlights the country's key factual information, and the top reasons why Pakistan is a great country to visit. The wide variety of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows for a wide variety of wild animals and birds. The forests range from coniferous alpine and subalpine trees such as spruce, pine, and deodar cedar in the northern mountains to deciduous trees such as the mulberry-type Shisham in the Sulaiman range in the south.
In the south, there are crocodiles in the murky waters at the mouth of the Indus River whilst on the banks of the river, there are boars, deer, porcupines, and small rodents. In the sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are found jackals, hyenas, wild cats, panthers, and leopards while the clear blue skies abound with hawks, falcons, and eagles. In the southwestern deserts are rare Asiatic cheetahs. In the northern mountains are a variety of endangered animals including Marco Polo sheep, Urial sheep, Markhor and Ibex goats, black and brown Himalayan bears, and the rare Snow Leopard. Another rare species is the blind Indus River Dolphin of which there are believed to be about 1,000 remaining, protected in two major sanctuaries. In recent years the number of wild animals being killed for leather trading led to a new law banning the hunting of wild animals and birds and the establishment of several wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.
