A Peek at Pakistan

Pakistan makes world news headlines all the time. You know that the nuclear-armed nation is both a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda and a major base for al-Qaeda. But what else do you know about it?

Find out what you should know now
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Pakistan, By the Numbers

With nearly 165 million people, Pakistan is the world's sixth most populous country. Only China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil have more people. Among mainly Muslim countries, Pakistan is the second largest (after Indonesia), and the only one with nuclear weapons.

Put Pakistan squarely on your mental map--
with our summary of its key stats

Pakistan, On the Map

The news often talks ominously of "instability in Pakistan." With our Pakistan slideshow, you'll understand why. We'll show you--using seven different maps--how the nation emerged from British India just 60 years ago and why it faces challenges from practically every side now.

Learn visually about Pakistan--
with our slideshow of detailed maps

Why Kashmir Gives People the Sweats

For 60 years, India and Pakistan have been on the brink of war in Kashmir. Why have both nuclear nations been willing to risk the ultimate conflict? The territorial tiff goes back to Britain's imperial shrinkage after World War II. Yet the conflict's cultural roots go far deeper.

Learn why India and Pakistan fight
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Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?

Who knows! But lots of experts think he's holed up somewhere in the arid, punishing, mountainous terrain along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border--hiding in a tiny crack in colonial history. Here's how that crack came to be.

Learn why Pakistan has "tribal areas"
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--Michael Himick and Steve Sampson