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Islamabad, with an area of 906.5 kms, is situated at the foot of Murree Hills, and forms the northeast part of the Potwar Plateau. The capital area is bordered to the northeast by hills and hillspurs of Margalla range with elevation of 762 to 1,615.5 meters. The Margalla range takes sharp curve at its eastern side and assumes an almost north-south direction. The area enjoys a pleasant climate. The idea for Islamabad emerged after a few years after Pakistan's independence in 1947. Even though Karachi was by all means Pakistan's commercial capital it had a few shortcomings as an administrative center. Initially the Capital was shifted from Karachi to Rawalpindi in 1959. Hence master plans for this city were laid out and a new city was created against the backdrops of the breath-taking Margalla Hills. The city's site was chosen by a commission in 1959. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) was constituted and entrusted with the planning and development of Islamabad. The responsibility has remained with the CDA since, including all Municipal services. Construction began in 1961 with an effort to blend traditional Islamic architecture with modern patterns and requirements. Such world-renowned names in town planning and architecture as Konstantínos Doxiádes, Edward Durell Stone, and Gio Ponti have been associated with the city's development. It is a compact city (area 25 square miles [65 square km]), lying at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 feet (450 to 600 m). The second phase
of construction ended with completion of the Secretariat, Pakistan
House, President's House, National Assembly Building, Grand National
Mosque, and housing for government staff. The University of Islamabad
was established in 1965 and the People's Open University (later renamed
the Allama Iqbal Open University) in 1974. The war with India in 1971
slowed construction temporarily. However, by 1963, the new city came to life with the shifting of the pioneer residents. Until 1981, Islamabad was part of the Punjab Province, when Islamabad Capital territory was demarcated and placed under Federal jurisdiction and administration. Travelers entering Islamabad for the first time are struck by its greenness. More than six million trees have been planted here since the foundations were laid. The result is that, from the air, the capital seems to have been thrown down in the midst of virgin forest. The best viewpoint is from Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden on the Margalla hills, from where it is possible to see the whole of Islamabad spread out in front, dominated by the towering minarets of the new Shah Faisal Mosque. The air, at some 1700 feet above sea-level is fresh and bracing. The nights are cool throughout the year and there are even occasional snowfalls in the winter. The urban area is
divided into eight zones: administrative, diplomatic, residential,
institutional, industrial, commercial, a greenbelt, and a national park
that includes an Olympic village and gardens and dairy, poultry, and
vegetable farms, as well as such institutions as the Atomic Research
Institute and the National Health Centre. The name Islamabad (City of
Islam, or City of Peace) was chosen to reflect the country's ideology.
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Shakarparian Hills |
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Rawal Lake |
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| Daman-e-Koh | ||
| Marghazar Zoo | ||
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Sports Complex |
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| Lok Virsa | ||
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Islamabad Museum |
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| Fatima Jinnah Park | ||
| Shah Faisal Mosque | ||
| Margalla Pass | ||
| Chattar Bagh | ||
| R & J Garden | ||