Pakistan (Major Nations of the Modern Middle East Series)

by Clarissa Aykroyd

Overview

When the British Empire partitioned its Indian colony in 1947, it created two independent states: India, where most people were Hindus, and Pakistan, where most were Muslims. Violence immediately broke out, during which approximately 250,000 people were killed and a million became refugees. Since then Pakistan and India have fought several wars, and tensions between the two countries during the late 1990s nearly led to another conflict-one that might have been devastating, as both countries now possess nuclear weapons.

This book examines the economic and political issues facing Pakistan today. It provides up-to-date information about the country's geography and climate, history, society, important cities and communities, and relations with other countries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781422234457
Publisher:	Mason Crest
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Series:	Major Nations of the Modern Middle East Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Foreign Policy Research Institute Harvey Sicherman 7

Place in the World 13

The Land 19

The History 29

Politics, Religion, and the Economy 61

The People 77

Cities and Communities 95

Foreign Relations 107

Chronology 116

Glossary 119

Further Reading 121

Internet Resources 122

Index 123

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2015
Gr 7 Up—Previously published in two editions as "Modern Middle East Nations and Their Strategic Place in the World" (2003) and "Major Muslim Nations" (2010), this set has been minimally revised. Changes include some new information about the momentous events and changes that have roiled the region and its governments in the last decade, updated statistics, and new photos. Books are objective and well written and cover standard geographic topics such as history, land, peoples, religions, political organizations, economic structures, foods, and celebrations. Each has several maps, which is a plus, and the large photos are attractive. War, terrorism, and political turmoil have radically altered the customs, religions, and populations of many Middle Eastern countries. Because the revisions don't reflect many of those changes, this set's content is rapidly becoming dated, reducing its value as a report resource. VERDICT Of limited use.

School Library Journal

Born in bloodshed after India gained independence in 1947, Pakistan became an Islamic nation of India's former northwestern provinces. High mountains, plateau, desert, and the plain of the Indus River make up Pakistan's rugged geography. Over the centuries, these provinces have been dominated by many empires, having being converted to Islam in the eighth century as Muslim Arabs invaded. The greatest empire was the Mughal (c. 1600-1800), known for its fine arts and magnificent buildings like the Badshahi Mosque and the Taj Mahal. Later, under British rule, nationalism grew, and by the time of independence, fierce fighting over Kashmir and the Punjab region caused millions of Muslims to flee to Pakistan, while Hindus left for India; in the process at least a million were killed. From that beginning, Pakistan has alternated between semi-democratic governments and military dictatorships. Fighting continued over control of Kashmir, and, to the horror of Asian neighbors, both Pakistan and India became nuclear nations. Current president Asif Ali Zardari, took over in 2008. Many Pakistanis are employed in agriculture, producing wheat, rice, sugar cane, tobacco, and cotton; the biggest exports are textiles, clothing, and distinctive carpets (often made by child labor). Muslim holidays are important to Pakistanis, as is music, poetry, and sports like soccer, cricket, and polo. In the "war on terror" in neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan has proved to be an ambivalent ally for the United States—its military government gave nuclear secrets to Libya and North Korea and sympathized with the Taliban. Recently, terrorist attacks have increased. (After this volume of the "Major Muslim Nations" series was published, devastating floods in the Indus Valley have made Pakistan's weakened government more vulnerable to radical Pathans now in control of the Swat Valley, close to the capital, Islamabad.) Aykroyd questions whether Pakistan's present civilian government can survive. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft