Pakistan
 Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.
Map of Pakistan
Population: 144,616,639 (July 2001 est.)
Capital: Islamabad
Area: total: 803,940 sq km; land: 778,720 sq km; water: 25,220 sq km (slightly less than twice the size of California)
Government: federal republic; [interim military government] led by Chief Executive Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 12 October 1999)
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Economy: GDP - purchasing power parity US$282 billion (2000 est.); GDP (real growth rate) 4.8% (2000 est.); GDP per capita - purchasing power parity US$2,000 (2000 est.)
Import partners: Saudi Arabia 8%, UAE 8%, US 6%, Japan 6%, Malaysia 4% (FY99/00)
Export partners: US 24%, Hong Kong 7%, UK 7%, Germany 6%, UAE 6% (FY99/00)

Source: CIA World Factbook (2001)