| The resources of Pakistan are primarily agricultural. The country's mineral resources include salt, chromite, coal, gypsum, limestone, manganese, sulfur, clay, graphite, copper, petroleum, and natural gas. Vegetation in Pakistan varies according to elevation. Alpine flora grows on the higher slopes. Forests of spruce, evergreen oak, chir or cheer pine, and a cedar known as the deodar are found at lower elevations. Animal life abounds in Pakistan, including deer, boar, bear, crocodile, and waterfowl. In the freshwater and saltwater areas, fish of many varieties are found. Marine life includes herring, mackerel, sharks, and shellfish. The climate of Pakistan varies widely from place to place. In the mountain regions of the north and west, temperatures fall below freezing during winter; in the Indus Valley area, temperatures range between about 32° and 49°C (about 90° and 120°F) in summer, and the average in winter is about 13°C (about 55°F). Throughout most of Pakistan rainfall is scarce. The Punjab region receives the most precipitation, more than 500 mm (20 in) per year. The arid regions of the southeast and southwest receive less than 125 mm (5 in) annually. Most rain falls in July and August. |
| Full country name: |
Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
Area:
|
803,940 sq km (310,300 sq mi) |
| Population: |
144.6 million |
| Capital city: |
Islamabad (pop. approx. 350,000) |
| People: |
Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu, Baloch, Muhajir |
| Languages: |
Urdu (official), Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu, English |
| Religion: |
97% Muslim, 3% Christian and Hindu |
| Government: |
Federal Republic |
| President & Chief Executive: Gen. |
Pervez Musharraf |
| GDP: |
US$282 billion |
GDP per head:
|
US$2000 |
| Annual growth |
5% |
Inflation:
|
5.2% |
| Major industries: |
Textiles, sugar, vegetable oils, agricultural products, cement, fertilizers, steel, chemicals, sporting goods, carpets |
| Major trading partners: |
US, Japan, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE |
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