# Islamabad: Pakistan's Planned Capital City ## History Islamabad was established in 1966 as Pakistan's new capital, replacing Karachi. The city was designed by Greek architect Constantinos Doxiadis according to his Ekistics theory, aiming to distribute development more evenly across the country. President Muhammad Ayub Khan initiated the move to address Karachi's congestion and strategic vulnerabilities. The city officially became the national capital on 14 August 1967. ## Geography and Climate Located on the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau, Islamabad is surrounded by the Margalla Hills National Park. Its climate is milder than most of Pakistan, with average temperatures ranging from 14.4°C to 28.9°C. The lowest recorded temperature was -4°C in January, while the highest reached 45°C in June. Annual rainfall averages 1,143 mm. ## Transport Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) serves as Pakistan's largest airport, located 14 km southwest of the city. The airport opened officially on 20 April 2018 and features two runways on a 14.45 km² site. ## Education Islamabad hosts several universities, including: - Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University - Ripah International University - Iqra University - Quaid-i-Azam University - Allama Iqbal Open University ## Landmarks and Tourism Key attractions include: - Faisal Mosque (national mosque) - Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) - Pakistan Monument Museum - Shakarparian Park - Rawal Lake ## Sports The city features Jinnah Stadium, a multi-purpose sports complex hosting cricket and football matches. ## International Partnerships Islamabad maintains sister city relationships with: - Beijing, China - Ankara, Turkey - Amman, Jordan - Paris, France - Frankfurt, Germany - Cologne, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Seoul, South Korea - Madrid, Spain ## Infrastructure - Population: 2,017,000 (2017 census) - Founding Date: 1966 - Region: Pothohar Plateau, Punjab Province - Primary Color: #2E86AB (Islamic green) - Logo URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Islamabad_logo.svg - Additional Images: - Faisal Mosque: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faisal_Mosque_Islamabad.jpg - Margalla Hills: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Margalla_Hills_National_Park.jpg - Jinnah Stadium: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jinnah_Stadium_Islamabad.jpg - Rawal Lake: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rawal_Lake_Islamabad.jpg - Pakistan Monument: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pakistan_Monument_Islamabad.jpg ## Key Facts - Established: 1966 - Population: 2,017,000 (2017) - Area: 1,300 km² - Climate: Mediterranean - Airport: Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) ## Notable People - Muhammad Ayub Khan (former president who initiated the capital relocation) - Constantinos Doxiadis (architect who designed the city) - Pervez Musharraf (former military ruler who expanded the city) ## Key Events - 1966: Establishment of Islamabad as capital - 1967: Official inauguration - 2018: Opening of Islamabad International Airport ## Culture and Religion Islamabad is predominantly Muslim (97% Sunni), with significant Christian and Hindu minorities. The city reflects Islamic architectural influences in its design and landmarks. Urdu and English are widely spoken. ## Economy The city's economy is driven by government services, education, and technology sectors. It hosts numerous multinational corporations and is a hub for IT and telecommunications. ## Unique Style Islamabad features a modern, planned layout with wide avenues, green spaces, and Islamic-inspired architecture, contrasting with Pakistan's more traditional cities. ## Interesting Facts - The city was designed to be earthquake-resistant - It has one of the highest literacy rates in Pakistan - The Margalla Hills are home to the Himalayan black bear ## Quotes - "Islamabad is a city of dreams, where the future of Pakistan is being built." - Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ## Sentiment Analysis - Positive: 50% - Neutral: 50% - Negative: 0% ## Trust Profile - Reliability: 85% - Transparency: 75% - Expertise: 90% - Influence: 85% - Stability: 75%