Where in the World? Two-hundred and fifty of the world’s highest peaks are in this country, as well as the elusive and endangered snow leopard. Created from another country as a home for Muslims, this new nation, too, had a piece of it become yet another county. The first woman ever elected prime minister of a modern Islamic state came to power here in 1988.

Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place? Pakistan

Welcome to Pakistan

In 1947, the same time that India received independence from Britain, a partition took place in which India was divided into two sections. Pakistan, one section, was created as a homeland for India’s Muslims. Its birth resulted in a great exodus. Some 7.5 million Muslims fled to Pakistan, and about 10 million Hindus left Pakistan for the new India. It was a terrible and violent time. There were instances where trains carrying Hindus out of Pakistan were stopped by Muslims, and every passenger was murdered, and vice versa. In total, over one million people died. When Pakistan was created, it consisted of two parts, with 1,000 miles of India in between. In 1971, East Pakistan, with the backing of India’s army, became what country? East Pakistan became Bangladesh. This war cost one million lives, and Pakistan lost half its population and a seventh of its area.

The Indus Plain is the most prosperous agricultural region of Pakistan, in part due to the tributaries of the Indus River that run through it. Because of this water, Pakistan has been able to create one of the largest artificial irrigation systems in the world. Yet successful irrigation has created excessive salinity. Because the rate of evaporation is greater than the rate of rainfall, mineral salts accumulate in the water and ultimately into the soil. Scientists are working on ways to neutralize the salinity, as well as developing new plants that aren’t affected by saline soils.

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world K2 is the second highest mountain in the world. Professional mountaineers consider this mountain in Pakistan to be much more difficult and dangerous to climb than Mr. Everest. K2 (so named because it was the second mountain measured in the Karakorams) may be more difficult, but attention goes to Everest because of its height. Most people want to climb the highest and gain the fame that comes with it. Which would you climb?

Some women in Pakistan live in purdah. What is purdah? Purdah is a form of apartheid in which women are kept separated from men. In extreme forms, a woman may not leave the house unless completely covered, including the face, by a burquah. A woman’s husband or another close relative must accompany her. Would the rule about females having to be accompanied by males change or restrict the way you live? Different levels of purdah are practiced throughout the Islamic world.

On December 2, 1988, Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as prime minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of an Islamic state. She has worked hard to try to end gender in equality in Pakistani society. She has also promoted health and education reform.

FAST FACTS – Pakistan Capital city: Islamabad; 698,000 Language: Punjabi, Sindhi, Siraiki, Pashtu, Urdu, English Religion: Sunni and Shiite Muslim, Christian, Hindu Currency: Pakistani rupee Life Expectancy: 60 Literacy Percent: 46 Head of the Government: General Pervez Musharref is the President of Pakistan. The prime minister of Pakistan is named Shaukat Aziz. Popular sports: for Pakistan citizens include Cricket, Hockey and Football. The national flower: of Pakistan is the Jasmine. The official name: for Pakistan is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Where in the World? It’s your turn: Complete your “Where in the World?” page. 1 – fill in the country and continent. 2 – write a paragraph about Pakistan with at least 5 interesting details (important details). 3 – colour in Pakistan on the world map.