Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan lies at the foot of the Margalla Hills in northeast Pakistan. A planned city, Islamabad was built to replace the former Pakistani capital, Karachi, which was deemed too distant from the nation’s heartland. Construction of the new government seat commenced in 1961 and continues today. The name Islamabad was chosen to reflect the country's ideology.

Islamabad is lush green, spacious and peaceful. It is a city of wide, tree-lined streets, large houses, elegant public buildings and well-organized  shopping centers. Islamabad is divided into eight zones, each characterized by its specific function, such as government, commerce, or light industry. These zones include a greenbelt and a national park that contains farms, gardens, and research institutes. In anticipation of expansion, a sizeable area surrounding the city has been designated for future development. The Rawal Dam, which creates a lake on the nearby Kurang River, provides Islamabad with its water supply. Modern Islamabad presents a blend of traditional Islamic and contemporary architectural styles.