LOCATION

14 kms north east of Rawalpindi on the north eastern fringe of the Potohar plateau of the province of Punjab.

MAP REFERENCE

Northern latitudes 33^o 49' and longtitudes 72^o 24' east of Greenwhich.

ALTITUDE

Lying at altitudes ranging from 457 to 610 metres.

AREA

The area of Islamabad is 906.50 square kilometres. A further 3626 square kilometres area is known as the Specified Area, with the Margala Hills in the north and northeast.

Islamabad city is divided into five major zones: Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, & Zone V. Zone IV is the largest in area while Zone I is the largest developed residential area. Zone 1 is divided into sectors. Each residential sector is identified by a letter of the alphabet and a number, and covers an area of approximately 2 km × 2 km.

CLIMATE

Islamabad features an atypical version of a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers accompanied by a monsoon season followed by cool winters.

RAINFALL

Average yearly rainfall 1143 milimetres.

HUMIDITY

Average yearly humidity: 55%

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Islamabad is Pakistan's most diverse metropolis in terms of the population makeup of the city
• It has the largest expatriate and foreigner population in the city. The reasons are simple: its inviting and reasonably temperate climate, its lush green scenery and excellent basic infrastructure
• The city is also a stopping point for tourists who desire to proceed to the Northern Areas of the country for trekking, hiking, adventure sports and mountaineering
• Since the city has been growing into a major business and commerce centre, it has attracted a large highly skilled workforce from other major cities including Karachi, Lahore and Quetta
• All of the country's diplomatic ties are maintained and exercised from Islamabad, as all major embassies, consulates and missions are operating from the city, as is the Foreign Office