Established in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, it is inhabited by some 140 million people belonging to many ethnic groups, speaking over 20 different languages. Islamabad, the federal capital is a modern city planned by Greek architects. Since the establishment of its constitution in 1973, Pakistan has been a federal republic. A constant source of conflict since 1947 has been the unresolved claim of both Pakistan and India for sovereignty over the province of Kashmir. Pakistan' economy is heavily dependent upon agriculture, which accounts for a quarter of the GDP and employs over half of the population.
Wheat is the principal food crop, followed by rice, millet, maize and pulses.