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PAKISTAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN)CAPITAL: ISLAMABADAREA: 881.913 km²POPULATION: 216,565,318 (2019)> Here are some Amazing / Surprising Facts about PAKISTANOne constant in modern journalism, the brunt of which has been felt by many nations like PAKISTAN, is the negative bias in reporting. When discussing politics and social trends with international friends/colleagues often Pakistanis find themselves either at the butt of ignorant jokes or having to explain the reality of their country and culture. Here are some positive and unique aspects of Pakistan that add richness and beauty to our world.One of the world’s earliest and largest civilizations flourished in the regionThe Indus Valley Civilization, which blossomed around the Indus river and delta, is one of the world’s oldest societies whose traces in form of constructions, relics and fossils are preserved today at the site of their cities and in many museums around the world. The Indus civilization along with the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilization are the earliest three civilizations of the old world from which the Indus was the most widespread. The civilization comprised of dozens of well-planned cities and towns with baths, urban drainage and water supply systems and many large nonresidential building grouped together indicating government systems. With its peak population at 5 million the locals of the valley invented new types of handicrafts and metallurgy many of which were still intact when excavated along with children’s toys and very few weapons.Home to the youngest Nobel LaureatePakistan’s pride Malala Yousufzai is the youngest Nobel Prizewinner in the world who was awarded the honor for championing universal education even after being shot by the Taliban at the age of 15 for reporting on the situation of girl’s education in her city. Shot on the way to school, Malala was brought to hospital in Birmingham after being briefly treated in Pakistan for the critical head injury and fortunately went through a miraculous recovery. She is currently studying at Oxford while continuing her work for the rights of children to gain education.Home to the second-highest mountain K2, third-highest Tirich Mir and the three highest mountain ranges in the worldPakistan’s killer K2 or Godwin Austin is the world’s second-highest peak and is part of the Greater Himalaya Mountain range also called the Karakoram Range which extends to China and India as well. The world’s third and next highest Tirich Mir is also found in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush Range. This way, three of the world’s highest mountain ranges the Himalaya, the greater Himalaya or Karakoram and the Hindukush are found in Pakistan making it a premier but challenging destination for serious mountaineers and winter sports professionals.The world’s largest deep sea port in sizePakistan’s superior position in Asia makes it a center of trade in the region and that is to increase further in the coming years as the country is working hand in hand with China on CPEC plan to develop the infrastructure of the Gwader port at Arabian Sea, Balochistan which is the largest natural deep port of the world. The port will act as portal for western China and possibly for the landlocked central Asian countries through the important sea route of the strait of Hormuz.World’s highest paved roadAlso called the eighth wonder of the world or the China-Pakistan friendship highway the Karakoram Highway is the highest road ever built. The road runs for 800 miles from Abbottabad in Pakistan to Kashgar in Xinjiang, West China. The highest point of the road lies at the Khunjerab Pass at 4800 meters. Every turn of the highway is accompanied by incredible views as the path runs though hills, mountains, valleys, glaciers and along lakes and rivers.The largest volunteer ambulance service in the worldPakistan’s Edhi Foundation proudly runs the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service, which is a record that has been held by Pakistan since 1997. Head quartered in Karachi the foundation runs the 24 hour emergency ambulance service along with providing other services like shelter for the homeless, free health care, drug rehabilitation, orphanage and adoption services, and local and international disaster relief. In 2005 the foundation donated $100,000 in aid for the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina. Started by the late Abdul Sattar Edhi as a single room shelter the foundation now operates over 300 centers throughout Pakistan.Pakistan’s Sialkot produces over half the world’s footballsIt was the British back in the days of colonial rule who grew impatient with the waiting time for the shipments of footballs, and so tried out local repairs for punctured balls. Pleased with the results, they placed some manufacturing orders which kick-started the industry to become of the largest in the world today.The fourth largest irrigation system in the worldAs most of Pakistan’s population depend on a livelihood in agriculture the country had to develop a complex and massive system of irrigation to cultivate 202,000 square kilometers of land. The system runs on the Indus Basin.World’s second largest salt minesKhewra Mines of Pakistan produce 325,000 tons of salt per year and are fabled to be discovered by Alexander’s Army through chance when their horses began licking the salts while the troops rested. Thus, resulting in the discovery of the modern world’s second largest salt mine. The mammoth mines have over 40 km of tunnels along with their own mosque inside. To attract tourists salty miniature versions of the Great Wall of China, Minar-e-Pakistan and Badshahi Mosque are also found inside.The highest polo ground in the worldLocated at Shandur Top is the highest polo ground at 3700 meters, where the traditional game of polo was started by Balti Prince Ali Sher Khan. Held annually since 1936, the Shandur Polo Festival is a tournament between local teams that invites visitors to view the game along with shows of folk music, dance and celebration. The tournament is featured in the opening episode of the show The Himalayas with Michael Palin.Pakistani culture is very diverseThanks to its historical, geographical and ethnic diversity, Pakistan’s culture is a melting pot of Indian, Persian, Afghan, Central Asian, South Asian and Western Asian influences. There are over 15 major ethnic groups in Pakistan, which differ in physical features, historical bloodlines, customs, dress, food and music. Some of these include Punjabis, Sindhis, Baloch, Pashtuns, Kashmiris, Hazaras, Makranis and Baltis, coming from regions as close to home as the Indus Valley or as far as Africa or Tibet. Other than ancient ethnic elements, the religious influence of Islam has also strongly shaped Pakistani culture since it first came to the region in AD 700.Many different languages are spoken in PakistanThe official number of languages actively spoken in Pakistan is between 73 and 76. This means that within hours as you travel between the country’s districts, there are languages that other groups in different regions do not speak. The most popular languages, however, belong to the largest ethnic groups with their own modern and ancient literature. Most languages in Pakistan belong to the Indo-Iranian language group, including Urdu, the national language.The people are friendly, but gender segregation still existsDue to Islamic and tribal influences, non-urban regions of Pakistan have varying levels of gender segregation, while big cities too have conservative expectations in terms of interactions between men and women. Couples usually don’t hug or kiss in public in a non-platonic way. Regardless of that, the people of Pakistan are helpful, friendly, approachable and humble.Pakistanis love listening to – and making – musicDiverse culture has exposed Pakistani musicians to many different poetic forms and styles, along with languages and literature. Qawwali and Ghazal are the nation’s auditory treasures. Building on that, Pakistani TV shows, like Coke Studio, have amassed millions of fans internationally and locally, from non-Pakistanis to non-Urdu speakers. The nation has also produced legendary singers, like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and poets like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who have left a tremendous influence on the culture and the collective conscience of the people. Contemporary musicians too play with modern styles and develop fusions in the Urdu language, of blues, funk, rock and jazz.Family bonds are strong in PakistanFamily comes first in Pakistan due to religious, cultural, economic and societal values. Pakistani society is not led by individualism but rather by collectivism, where family and other relationships stand strong.Pakistani culture includes excellent craftsmanshipPakistani truck art is not the only world-famous example of craftsmanship. Passed down through generations, Pakistani craft includes a plethora of styles, materials and aesthetics. Calligraphy in Arabic is one of the most prominent skills found in many local buildings and sites and wall hangings, like copper work, paintings and carved wood. Pottery, especially blue pottery, typical of Sindh and Multan, is loved all over the world for its look. Naqashi, or the art-making of camel-skin lamps, is another example of local craft, along with colourful tile work, which is a Mughal legacy.Sufism has given birth to beautiful poetry and musicMainstream Islam and Islamic mysticism are both prevalent in Pakistan, but often, hard-line clerics, who follow the Wahhabi school of thought, reject the tradition of mysticism or Sufism that has added great beauty to the already unique Islamic flavour of the country. Sufis show their devotion through many means like dance, poetry, whirling, meditation, etc. Some of the country’s most spiritually advanced and unifying messages of love are found in Sufi poetry. The hard-liners may try to isolate them, but the population cannot help but be entranced by them.Pakistanis love chai a little too muchChai is everywhere in Pakistan, probably in a similar sense to how beer is in alcohol-consuming countries. In fact, Pakistan is the third-largest importer of tea, although some tea is grown locally too. Pakistanis make their tea strong and sweet in either milk or diluted milk depending on their preference. Sometimes cardamom and other spices are added to tea on special occasions. Black tea was introduced to the country by the English during the colonial years, but green tea has been a part of the local culture for thousands of years. Tea time is such an important time of day that many people enjoy high tea in five-star hotels, which basically include a buffet of teas and all the complimentary snacks that go with it.Pakistanis are very hospitableGuests, tourists and visitors, whether domestic or international, are always welcomed with open arms. Even the poorest labourers go out of their way to help new visitors. Cultural and religious beliefs encourage Pakistanis to show love and respect towards guests. In Islam especially, a guest is a blessing from God, and it is taught that they must be given the best treatment possible.Pakistanis love sports, especially cricketCricket may have been a sport that was introduced to Pakistan by the British, but today, the country has not only made it its own but has also raised one of the world’s best cricket teams. Other sports, like hockey, squash and badminton, are also widely played and appreciated. Polo has a special place in northern Pakistan too, with one of the highest polo grounds in the world situated here.Pakistanis are resilient and hard-workingIt is common knowledge that the Pakistani nation has suffered from the country’s economic situation with rampant poverty and high illiteracy. Terrorist attacks and misgovernment have also led to terrible consequences. Regardless of these sufferings, Pakistan’s spirit lives on and the nation continues to hope and work for a better future. The people of Pakistan would soar high if they got the sincere political effort and leadership they deserve.Pakistanis have big weddingsPakistani weddings epitomise the richness of the culture. A single wedding will introduce you to the many elements of these local traditions. Pakistani weddings are laden with a multitude of colours, beautifully embroidered flowing fabrics in silks and chiffon, tantalizing food, traditionally decorated stages and a lot of music and dance. Weddings in Pakistan are a serious deal, with preparations starting months before. After all, most local weddings last anywhere from three to six days. The celebrations usually start with a day dedicated to henna application, followed by a musical night and a night of traditional rituals to bless the couple. Then, there are dinner parties that last two days thrown by the bride and groom’s side of the family.Pakistanis don’t keep calm and have no chillPakistanis are a passionate, emotional, expressive and colourful people – just like their culture. Whatever they love, they do with plenty of zest and excitement. They love to celebrate, no matter the occasion, and feasting, giving presents, throwing parties and having regular large gatherings with friends and family are all very common.some beautiful Picture you may like:No more limit to upload Pictures…