It is the purpose-built capital of Pakistan. It lies against the surroundings of the Margalla Hills at the northern end of Pothowar Plateau. The city was built intentionally to serve as the capital city of Pakistan in 1960 by the orders of then President General Ayub Khan.

The capital is full of natural terraces and meadows and the southern plain drained by the Kurang River with the Margalla Hills in the north east.

Area and Population

The city is divided into eight basic zones:

  • Administrative

  • Diplomatic Enclave

  • Residential Areas

  • Educational Sectors

  • Industrial Sectors

  • Commercial Areas

  • Rural Areas and

  • Green Areas

Each sector has its own shopping area and public park. The population of the city is around 9,50,000 people with an area of about 910 square kilometers. The city lies at latitudes 33° 49' north and longitudes 72° 24' east with altitudes ranging from 457 to 610 meters.

 Climate

It offers a healthy climate, pollution free atmosphere, plenty of water and lush green area. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide tree-lined streets, large houses elegant public buildings and well-organized bazaars/markets/shopping centers.

The average humidity level is 55% with an average rainfall of 1150 millimeters each year. The city is quite moderate in case of its whether. The maximum average temperature is 29C and goes down to average minimum of around 14C.
 

Education

Islamabad has some of the fine educational institutes of Pakistan. Some of them are like Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University and National University of Science and Technology.

Quaid-e-Azam University offers courses in a number of subjects. The institute is located in a semi hilly area, east of the Secretariat buildings and near the base of Margala Hills. This Post-Graduate institute is spread over 1500 acres.

Major buildings of the campus have been designed in such a way as to form an axial spine with the library in the center. Quaid-e-Azam University now occupies an enviable position in the academic world.
 

International Islamic University university is well known all over the world and offers courses in all subjects of Islamic Theology, Law and Jurisprudence.

Places to Visit

Though the straight, tree-lined avenues of Islamabad all look confusingly similar, it is easy to find your way around by using the Margalla Hills, which rise up on the north edge of the city, as a reference point.

The sights in Islamabad include Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint, Shakarparian Park, Rose and Jasmine Garden, Parliament House, Secretariat Blocks, Rawal Lake and especially Shah Faisal Mosque, second largest mosque in the world.
 

Shah Faisal Mosque

The enormous Shah Faisal Mosque is superbly sited at the foot of the Margalla Hills. It represents an eight-faceted desert 'tent' supported on four giant concrete girders and surrounded by four 90-metre high concrete minuets. The central 'tent' is faced in white marble and decorated inside with mosaics and a spectacular chandelier.

The mosque was designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, and largely financed by donations from Saudi Arabia. It holds about 15,000 people inside, and another 85,000 in the courtyard.

Culture

Islamabad has a combination of different people from all over the world and Pakistan. As similar to many other capitals of the world, Islamabad combines traditions of many areas and thus provide cultural opportunity for everyone alike. The markets and shopping areas clearly represents the theme of different cultural values.
 

Communication

Islamabad is well connected to all parts of the country as well as to the world. The M1 and M2 motorway links connects the capital to major cities of the country like Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad. Islamabad International Airport serves all major routes to important locations with well known airlines.