Capital of Pakistan: Islamabad — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad. Pakistan sits in Asia, has a population of 235,824,862, and uses the PKR. Official languages include Urdu, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Islamabad
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~235,824,862
- Area: 881,913 km²
- Population density: 267 people per km²
- Official languages: Urdu, English
- Currency: PKR
- ISO code: PK
How big is Pakistan?
By population, Pakistan ranks 5th in the world, holding roughly 2.96% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 33rd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Pakistan has 267 people per square kilometre, which is about 4.5 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Pakistan is the 4th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Pakistan in population are Nigeria (218,541,212) and Brazil (215,313,498).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Venezuela (916,445 km²) and Nigeria (923,768 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Urdu is listed as an official language of Pakistan alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Pakistan uses the PKR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Pakistan
Islamabad was built as a planned city in the 1960s and replaced Karachi, the largest city, as the capital. The name starts with 'Islam', which links to the green and the crescent on the flag.
The flag of Pakistan: green and white
🇵🇰 The flag is a dark green flag with a white vertical stripe at the flagpole and a large white crescent and five-pointed star. The crescent, the star and the colour green are traditional symbols of Islam. The white stripe stands for the country's religious minorities.
Region and neighbours
Pakistan is a country in South Asia, stretching from the high mountains of the north through the Indus River plain to the Arabian Sea in the south. It shares land borders with 4 countries: India, China, Afghanistan and Iran.
- India 🇮🇳 — capital New Delhi
- China 🇨🇳 — capital Beijing
- Afghanistan 🇦🇫 — capital Kabul
- Iran 🇮🇷 — capital Tehran
Three facts about Pakistan
- Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country in the world.
- K2, 8,611 m high in the Karakoram, is one of five peaks over 8,000 m in Pakistan.
- The Indus Valley Civilisation of the Bronze Age grew up in what is now Pakistan.
Sources: Wikipedia: Pakistan, Wikipedia: Flag of Pakistan, Wikipedia: Islamabad, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Pakistan
- Asian capitals quiz — match Pakistan to Islamabad
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Pakistan flag among its neighbours
Pakistan capital quiz
What is the capital of Pakistan 🇵🇰?
- Astana
- Beijing
- Islamabad
- Kuwait City
Show answer
Islamabad
What is the capital of Indonesia 🇮🇩?
- Jakarta
- Malé
- Yerevan
- Pyongyang
Show answer
Jakarta
What is the capital of Bangladesh 🇧🇩?
- Colombo
- Taipei
- Tbilisi
- Dhaka
Show answer
Dhaka
What is the capital of Japan 🇯🇵?
- Tokyo
- Naypyidaw
- Seoul
- Colombo
Show answer
Tokyo
What is the capital of Philippines 🇵🇭?
- Beirut
- Tehran
- Singapore
- Manila
Show answer
Manila
Pakistan in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Pakistan belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Pakistan?
The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.
What is the population of Pakistan?
About 235,824,862, making it the 5th most populous country in the world.
How big is Pakistan?
881,913 square kilometres, ranking 33rd by land area, at a density of 267 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Pakistan use?
The PKR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Pakistan flag?
The flag of Pakistan is a dark green flag with a white vertical stripe at the flagpole and a large white crescent and five-pointed star. The crescent, the star and the colour green are traditional symbols of Islam. The white stripe stands for the country's religious minorities.
Which countries border Pakistan?
Pakistan shares land borders with India, China, Afghanistan and Iran.
How can I remember the capital of Pakistan?
Islamabad was built as a planned city in the 1960s and replaced Karachi, the largest city, as the capital. The name starts with 'Islam', which links to the green and the crescent on the flag.
More capitals to learn
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