Pakistan The full name of Pakistan is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which interprets as "Land of the Pure" and "Country of Islam". Over 95% of the population believes in Islam, making it a multi-ethnic Islamic country. Its national language is Urdu. Pakistan is situated in the northwest of the South Asian Subcontinent. It borders the Arabian Sea to the south, India to the east, the People's Republic of China to the northeast, Afghanistan to the northwest, and Iran to the west. It has a coastline of 980 kilometers. The southern region has a tropical climate, while the rest of the country has a subtropical climate. The capital is Islamabad, and Karachi, the former capital, is the largest city of Pakistan. Three-fifths of the country’s territory is covered by mountains and hills. The southern coastal area is dominated by deserts, and stretching northward are continuous plateau pastures and fertile lands. The country's highest peak is K2 (Qogir Peak), with an altitude of 8,611 meters. Three world-famous major mountain ranges—the Himalayas, Karakoram Mountains and Hindu Kush Mountains— converge in northwestern Pakistan, forming a spectacular landscape. The Indus River, which originates in China, enters Pakistan and flows southward for 2,300 kilometers, finally emptying into the Arabian Sea. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. Pakistan is a developing country and a member of the World Trade Organization, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Nations.