The population is approximately 35 million while official source (1998 census) estimated 30.439 million, with over half being urban dwellers, mainly found in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana. A large section of the population speak Sindhi and Urdu languages. Other languages spoken include Siraiki, Balochi, Brohi, Punjabi, Pakhtu, Rajasthani and Gujarati. Urban areas of Sindh are multi-ethnic c ...

See also:

Sindh, Sindh - Geography, Sindh - Climate, Sindh - Demographics and Society, Sindh - History, Sindh - Ancient history, Sindh - Arrival of Arabs, Sindh - British Era, Sindh - After Independence, Sindh - Administrative division, Sindh - Economy, Sindh - Vegetation, Sindh - Wildlife, Sindh - Education, Sindh - Art and culture, Sindh - Major attractions, Sindh - Personalities

Read more here: » Sindh: Encyclopedia II - Sindh - Demographics and Society

Sindh is located at the northeastern corner of South Asia just before the Iranian plateau in the west. It is the third largest province geographically. Its size is about 579 km north-south and 442 km (extreme) or 281 km (average) east-west, with an area of 140,915 km². Sindh is bounded by the Thar Desert to the east, the Kirthar Mountains to the west, and the Arabian Sea in the south. In the center is the fertile plain where the Indus river runs through. Largely irrigated, the Indus' devast ...

See also:

Sindh, Sindh - Geography, Sindh - Climate, Sindh - Demographics and Society, Sindh - History, Sindh - Ancient history, Sindh - Arrival of Arabs, Sindh - British Era, Sindh - After Independence, Sindh - Administrative division, Sindh - Economy, Sindh - Vegetation, Sindh - Wildlife, Sindh - Education, Sindh - Art and culture, Sindh - Major attractions, Sindh - Personalities

Read more here: » Sindh: Encyclopedia II - Sindh - Geography

A subtropical region, Sindh is hot in the summer and cold in winter. Temperatures frequently rise above 46 celsius (115 fahrenheit ) between May and August, and the minimum average temperature of 2 celsius (36 fahrenheit) occurs during December and January. The annual rainfall averages about seven inches, falling mainly during July and August.The southwesterly monsoon wind begins to blow in mid-February and continues until the end of Semptember, whereas the cool northerly wind blows during te winte ...

See also:

Sindh, Sindh - Geography, Sindh - Climate, Sindh - Demographics and Society, Sindh - History, Sindh - Ancient history, Sindh - Arrival of Arabs, Sindh - British Era, Sindh - After Independence, Sindh - Administrative division, Sindh - Economy, Sindh - Vegetation, Sindh - Wildlife, Sindh - Education, Sindh - Art and culture, Sindh - Major attractions, Sindh - Personalities

Read more here: » Sindh: Encyclopedia II - Sindh - Climate

Around the 5th century BCE, the northern Indian subcontinent was invaded by the Achaemenid Empire and the Greeks of Alexander the Great's army. This had important repercussions for Indian civilisation, as the political systems of the Persians would have an influence on later Indian political philosophy, including the administration of the Mauryan dynasty, and a melting pot of Indian, Persian, Central Asian and Greek culture was created in the modern region of Afghanistan, producing a unique hybrid culture. History of India - Achaemenid EmpireSee also:

History of India, History of India - The Paleolithic era, History of India - The Neolithic era, History of India - The Bronze age, History of India - Indus Valley Civilization, History of India - Vedic civilization, History of India - The Mahajanapadas, History of India - Persian and Greek invasion, History of India - Achaemenid Empire, History of India - Alexander the Great, History of India - Greco-Buddhist period, History of India - The Magadha Empire, History of India - Shishunaga dynasty, History of India - Nanda Dynasty, History of India - Maurya dynasty, History of India - Shunga dynasty, History of India - Early Middle Kingdoms - the golden age, History of India - Satavahana Empire, History of India - Kushan Empire, History of India - Gupta dynasty, History of India - Huna invasion, History of India - Indo-Sassanians, History of India - Late Middle Kingdoms - the classical age, History of India - Harsha's empire, History of India - The Chalukyas and Pallavas, History of India - Chola empire, History of India - The Pratiharas Palas and Rashtrakutas, History of India - The Rajputs, History of India - Vijayanagar Empire, History of India - The Islamic Sultanates, History of India - Delhi Sultanate, History of India - The Mughal era, History of India - Mughal Empire, History of India - The Maratha confederacy, History of India - The Kingdom of Mysore, History of India - The Punjab, History of India - Durrani Empire, History of India - Colonial era, History of India - Company rule, History of India - The British Raj, History of India - The independence movement, History of India - Republic of India, History of India - Textbooks and surveys

Read more here: » History of India: Encyclopedia II - History of India - Persian and Greek invasion

There are many popular figures from Sind. The following is brief list: Pre-Independence (pre-1947) Sufi Sahah Innayat (The 1st Socialist Sufi) Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (the national poet) Sachal Sarmast (the sufi poet) Tipu Sultan (the greatest warrior) Mohammad Ali Jinnah (father of the nation) Sir S.M.S Agha Khan III Fatima Jinnah Post-Independence (post-1947) Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Benazir Bhutto Allama I.I.Qazi G.M.Syed Alhan ...

See also:

Sindh, Sindh - Geography, Sindh - Vegetation And Animal Life, Sindh - Climate, Sindh - Demographics and Society, Sindh - History, Sindh - Ancient history, Sindh - Arrival of Arabs, Sindh - British Era, Sindh - After creation of Pakistan, Sindh - Administrative division, Sindh - Economy, Sindh - Education, Sindh - Art and culture, Sindh - Major attractions, Sindh - Personalities

Read more here: » Sindh: Encyclopedia II - Sindh - Personalities

Main article: Constitution of Afghanistan According to the 2004 constitution, Afghanistan is run by a president, who is elected by direct popular vote to a five-year term. The president may only serve two terms. A candidate for president must be at least forty years of age, a Muslim, and a citizen of Afghanistan. The country has two vice-presidents. The president serves as head of state and government, and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president makes appointments for his cabinet, as well as posts in the military, police force, and provincial gov ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Constitution

Main article: Demographics of Afghanistan The population of Afghanistan is divided into a wide variety of ethnic groups largely composed of Iranian and Turkic peoples. Because a systematic census has not been held in the country in decades, exact figures about the size and composition of the various ethnic groups are not available.[13] Therefore most figures are approximations only. According to the CIA World FactBook (updated on 17 May 2005), the ethnic group distribution is as follows: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Ai ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Demographics

Main article: Economy of Afghanistan Although Afghanistan has significant amounts of natural resources, it is a poor country, highly dependent on farming and livestock raising. Two-thirds of the population lives on less than US$2 a day. The economy has suffered greatly from the recent political and military unrest since the 1979-80 Soviet invasion and subsequent conflicts, while severe drought added to ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Economy

Main article: Culture of Afghanistan Afghans display pride in their country, ancestry, military prowess, and above all, their independence. Like other highlanders, Afghans are regarded with mingled apprehension and condescension, for their high regard for personal honour, for their clan loyalty and for their readiness to carry and use arms to settle disputes. (Heathcote, 2003). As clan warfare / internecine feuding has been one of their chief occupations since time immemorial, this individualistic trait has made it difficult f ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Culture

Main article: Education in Afghanistan In the spring of 2003, it was estimated that 30% of Afghanistan's 7,000 schools had been seriously damaged during more than two decades of Soviet occupation and civil war. Only half of the schools were reported to have clean water, while fewer than an estimated 40% had adequate sanitation. Education for boys was not a priority during the Taliban regime, and g ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Education

Emperor - Emperors of traditional empires. Persian Empire (559 BC–330 BC) - see List of kings of Persia Empire of Alexander the Great (334 BC–281 BC) Mauryan Empire (321 BC–185 BC) - see Mauryan dynasty Chinese Empire (221 BC–1911) - see Table of Chinese monarchs Roman Empire (27 BC–476) - see List of Roman Emperors Holy Roman Empire (800 and 962–1806) - see List of Holy Roman Emperors Byzantine Empire (395–1453) ...

See also:

Emperor, Emperor - Distinction between Emperor and other types of monarch, Emperor - Imperium maius, Emperor - Historical development, Emperor - Europe, Emperor - The Americas, Emperor - Africa, Emperor - Asia, Emperor - Persian tradition, Emperor - Pre-Columbian American traditions, Emperor - Other traditions, Emperor - Lists of emperors, Emperor - Emperors of traditional empires, Emperor - Emperors of short-lived 'empires', Emperor - Self-proclaimed emperors, Emperor - Fictional emperors, Emperor - Notes, Emperor - Trivia

Read more here: » Emperor: Encyclopedia II - Emperor - Lists of emperors

Both kings and emperors are monarchs. There is no single rule to distinguish the one from the other: several factors, like interpretations of historians, the size and characteristics of the governed realm, and the title(s) chosen by the monarch play a part in distinguishing the one from the other. General characteristics indicating that a monarch is to be considered an emperor rather than a king include: The monarch chose a title that usually translates as "emperor" in English, and/or is accepted as the equivalent of "emperor" i ...

See also:

Emperor, Emperor - Distinction between Emperor and other types of monarch, Emperor - Imperium maius, Emperor - Historical development, Emperor - Europe, Emperor - The Americas, Emperor - Africa, Emperor - Asia, Emperor - Persian tradition, Emperor - Pre-Columbian American traditions, Emperor - Other traditions, Emperor - Lists of emperors, Emperor - Emperors of traditional empires, Emperor - Emperors of short-lived 'empires', Emperor - Self-proclaimed emperors, Emperor - Fictional emperors, Emperor - Notes, Emperor - Trivia

Read more here: » Emperor: Encyclopedia II - Emperor - Distinction between Emperor and other types of monarch

Main article: Geography of Afghanistan Afghanistan is a land-locked mountainous country, with plains in the north and southwest. The highest point, at 7485 m (24,557 ft) above sea level, is Nowshak. Large parts of the country are dry, and fresh water supplies are limited. Afghanistan has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The country is frequently subject to earthquakes. The major cities of Afghanistan are its capital Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif and Kandahar. See also List of citi ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Geography

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces (velayat) which are further divided into districts. Main article: Provinces of Afghanistan Main article: Districts of Afghanistan The 34 provinces are: 1 Badakhshan 2 Badghis 3 Baghlan 4 Balkh 5 Bamiyan 6 Daikondi 7 Farah 8 Faryab 9 Ghazni See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Subdivisions

Pakistan-administered Kashmir (containing Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir) contain a 99% Muslim majority. Settlers encouraged by the Government of Pakistan include the Pathan and Punjabi communities. China-administered Kashmir (Aksai Chin) contains an extremely small population of Tibetan origins. Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (containing Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh) contain an approximately 70% Muslim majority (according to Indian sources in 2001). The rest of the population are Buddhist, Hindu and others. The ...

See also:

Kashmir, Kashmir - History, Kashmir - Modern history, Kashmir - Area and Subdivisions, Kashmir - Indian-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Chinese-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Demographics, Kashmir - Culture, Kashmir - Economy, Kashmir - Tourist attractions

Read more here: » Kashmir: Encyclopedia II - Kashmir - Demographics

Kashmir - Indian-administered Kashmir. India controls approximately 45.5% (101,387 km²) of the disputed territory. Indian-administered Kashmir, known as the state of Jammu and Kashmir, includes 3 main regions: Kashmir Valley Jammu Ladakh Indian-controlled Kashmir is divided into 14 administrative districts: Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajauri, Srinagar and Udhampur. Major cities include Srinagar, Jammu and Leh. See also:

Kashmir, Kashmir - History, Kashmir - Modern history, Kashmir - Area and Subdivisions, Kashmir - Indian-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Chinese-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Demographics, Kashmir - Culture, Kashmir - Economy, Kashmir - Tourist attractions

Read more here: » Kashmir: Encyclopedia II - Kashmir - Area and Subdivisions

Agriculture is the mainstay of economy here Historically, Kashmir came into economic limelight when the world famous Cashmere wool was exported to other regions and nations. Kashmiris are well adept at knitting and making shawls, silk carpets, rugs, kurtas and pottery. Kashmir is home to the finest saffron in the world - the Kashmir/Indian saffron. Efforts are on to export the naturally grown fruits and vegetables as organic foods mainly to the middle east. The Kashmir valley, is a fertile area that is the economic backbone for Indian ...

See also:

Kashmir, Kashmir - History, Kashmir - Modern history, Kashmir - Area and Subdivisions, Kashmir - Indian-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Chinese-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Demographics, Kashmir - Culture, Kashmir - Economy, Kashmir - Tourist attractions

Read more here: » Kashmir: Encyclopedia II - Kashmir - Economy

The scenic setting of Kashmir itself has been a major tourist attraction despite the ever present danger. The mode of travel itself is a picturesque sight with many house boats and boat taxis ferrying passengers and goods alike. The famous Amarnath Cave Temple is one of the revered pilgrimage sites of India tucked away in the mighty Himalayas. Open only for a few months during the year, Amarnath enshrines a natural Shivalingam of ice, and is reached after an arduous trek through the mountains of Kashmir. The Vaishno Devi cave shrine is nestled in the mighty Trikuta mountain at a height of 5, ...

See also:

Kashmir, Kashmir - History, Kashmir - Modern history, Kashmir - Area and Subdivisions, Kashmir - Indian-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Chinese-administered Kashmir, Kashmir - Demographics, Kashmir - Culture, Kashmir - Economy, Kashmir - Tourist attractions

Read more here: » Kashmir: Encyclopedia II - Kashmir - Tourist attractions

Main article: Politics of Afghanistan Afghanistan is currently led by president Hamid Karzai, who was elected in October of 2004. Before the election, Karzai led the country after having been hand-picked by the administration of United States' President Bush to head an interim government, after the fall of the Taliban. His current cabinet includes members of the Afghan Northern Alliance, and a mix from other regional and ethnic groups formed from the transitional government by the Loya jirga (grand council). Former monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah returned to the country, but was not reinstated as king, and o ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Politics

The current name of Afghanistan derives from the alternative name for the Pashtuns: Afghan, being the founders of modern Afghanistan. The Pashtuns appear to have begun using the term Afghan as a name for themselves from the Islamic period onwards. According to the writer W.K. Frazier Tyler, writing in his book Afghanistan, "The word Afghan… first appears in history in the Hudud-al-Alam in 982 AD." There are several views regarding ...

See also:

Afghanistan, Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name, Afghanistan - History, Afghanistan - Politics, Afghanistan - Subdivisions, Afghanistan - Geography, Afghanistan - Economy, Afghanistan - Economy References, Afghanistan - Demographics, Afghanistan - Constitution, Afghanistan - Culture, Afghanistan - Education, Afghanistan - Additional references

Read more here: » Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - Afghanistan - Origin and history of the name

Main article: Pre-Islamic period of Afghanistan Afghanistan's known pre-Islamic past began with Aryan invasions around 2000 BCE and continued with Persian, Median, Greek, Mauryan, Bactrian, and other phases in its history. Following the defeat of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, in 328 BC, Alexander the Great entered the territory of present-day Afghanistan to capture Bactria (present-day Balkh). ...

See also:

History of Afghanistan, History of Afghanistan - History of Afghanistan, History of Afghanistan - Pre-Islamic period of Afghanistan before 651, History of Afghanistan - Islamic conquest of Afghanistan 642-1747, History of Afghanistan - The Durrani Empire 1747-1826, History of Afghanistan - European influence in Afghanistan 1826-1919, History of Afghanistan - Reforms of Amanullah Khan and civil war 1919-1929, History of Afghanistan - Reigns of Nadir Shah and Zahir Shah 1929-1973, History of Afghanistan - Daoud's Republic of Afghanistan 1973-1978, History of Afghanistan - Soviet intervention in Afghanistan 1978-1992, History of Afghanistan - History of Afghanistan 1992 to present

Read more here: » History of Afghanistan: Encyclopedia II - History of Afghanistan - Pre-Islamic period of Afghanistan before 651

States and realms that disappeared in ancient history. List of extinct states - Ancient Europe North Africa and the Near East. Adiabene Akkad Aksu Assyria Axumite Kingdom Babylonia Carthage Chaldea Dacia Etruria Egyptian Empire Hellenic city-states (Athens, Sparta, Syracuse, etc) and their allied cities/colonies/territories. Hellenistic Empires (Ptolemaic, Seleucid, Antigonid,etc.) Hit ...

See also:

List of extinct states, List of extinct states - Ancient and medieval states, List of extinct states - Ancient Europe North Africa and the Near East, List of extinct states - South Asia, List of extinct states - China and South East Asia, List of extinct states - Pre-Columbian Americas, List of extinct states - Medieval Europe North Africa and the Near East, List of extinct states - Modern states, List of extinct states - States and territories grouped by geographical location, List of extinct states - States and territories grouped by type

Read more here: » List of extinct states: Encyclopedia II - List of extinct states - Ancient and medieval states