Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 17, 2026
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, located within the Islamabad Capital Territory in the northern part of the country. Situated at approximately 33.6844° N latitude and 73.0479° E longitude, the city covers about 906 sq km (350 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 1.2 million people.
Location Map of Islamabad, Pakistan
About Map: The map shows the location of Islamabad in the Pakistan.
Where is Islamabad Located?
Islamabad is quite old capital city of Denmark; it was incorporated as capital city of Denmark in 15th century. Since, then it has been experiencing growth of all sectors. Above all, the construction of Oresund Bridge in 2000, Islamabad has become significant economic and commercial center in the region.
Moreover, because of all these reasons, Islamabad has become the significant center of politics, business, media, Science, and culture. In the city, Life science, information technology, and shipping are areas of significant research and development that substantially contributes in the total revenue of the country.
Likewise, city has very much strategic location and well developed infrastructure with the largest airport in Scandinavia. It technological advancement has been done in such a way that it did not let to lose the natural beauty of the city. This is the reason that it is one of the most environmental friendly cities of the world. As per the report given by the research organization, Islamabad has repeatedly been listed as one the cities with the best quality of life.
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Islamabad |
| Administrative Division | Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Country | Pakistan |
| National Capital | Islamabad |
| Region | Northern Pakistan |
| Latitude | 33.6844° N |
| Longitude | 73.0479° E |
| Elevation | 1,772 ft (540 m) |
| Land Area | 351 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes reservoirs, streams and urban water bodies |
| Total Area | 351 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 1.2 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 3,400 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | 44000-45750 |
| Area Code | +92 51 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No daylight saving time observed |
| Currency | Pakistani Rupee (PKR) |
| Administrative Code | Islamabad Capital Territory Administration |
| National Representation | National Assembly Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Islamabad, Pakistan
- Rawalpindi, Pakistan - 9 mi South
- Taxila, Pakistan - 20 mi Northwest
- Wah Cantonment, Pakistan - 19 mi Northwest
- Murree, Pakistan - 37 mi Northeast
- Attock, Pakistan - 50 mi West
- Haripur, Pakistan - 29 mi North
- Hasan Abdal, Pakistan - 28 mi Northwest
- Abbottabad, Pakistan - 71 mi North
- Jhelum, Pakistan - 65 mi Southeast
- Chakwal, Pakistan - 68 mi South
Islamabad, Pakistan Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63 | 39 | 2.3 |
| April | 86 | 58 | 2.8 |
| July | 95 | 76 | 10.5 |
| October | 84 | 58 | 1.2 |
| Annual | 82 | 59 | 45.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Cwa - Humid Subtropical |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 45 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 220 sunny days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | Rare in the city, occasional nearby hills |
Driving Distances from Islamabad, Pakistan
| City | Province/Territory | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawalpindi | Punjab | 9 | 20 min |
| Wah Cantonment | Punjab | 19 | 30 min |
| Taxila | Punjab | 20 | 30 min |
| Hasan Abdal | Punjab | 28 | 40 min |
| Haripur | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 29 | 40 min |
| Murree | Punjab | 37 | 1 hr |
| Attock | Punjab | 50 | 1 hr 10 min |
| Jhelum | Punjab | 65 | 1 hr 30 min |
| Chakwal | Punjab | 68 | 1 hr 35 min |
| Abbottabad | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 71 | 1 hr 40 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Islamabad, Pakistan
| Airport Name | Islamabad International Airport |
| IATA Code | ISB |
| Port | No Seaport |
| Major Highways | M-1 Motorway, M-2 Motorway, Srinagar Highway, Islamabad Expressway |
| Train Service | Pakistan Railways via Rawalpindi Station |
| Local Transit Service | Metro Bus, Public Buses, Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services |
- M-1 Motorway - Connects Islamabad with Peshawar and northwestern Pakistan.
- M-2 Motorway - Links Islamabad with Lahore and central Punjab.
- Srinagar Highway - Major urban corridor connecting key sectors of the capital.
- Islamabad Expressway - Main route between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
- Margalla Road - Important connector serving northern sectors and suburbs.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Islamabad, Pakistan
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Faisal Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Pakistan Monument | National Monument |
| Daman-e-Koh | Scenic Viewpoint |
| Lok Virsa Museum | Museum |
| Rawal Lake | Recreation Area |
| Margalla Hills National Park | National Park |
| Centaurus Mall | Shopping Destination |
| Shakarparian | Hill Park |
| Rose and Jasmine Garden | Botanical Garden |
| Trail 5 Margalla Hills | Nature Attraction |
Places to Visit in Islamabad, Pakistan
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Faisal Mosque | Religious Landmark |
| Pakistan Monument | National Monument |
| Daman-e-Koh | Scenic Viewpoint |
| Lok Virsa Museum | Museum |
| Rawal Lake | Recreation Area |
| Margalla Hills National Park | National Park |
| Centaurus Mall | Shopping Destination |
| Shakarparian | Hill Park |
| Rose and Jasmine Garden | Botanical Garden |
| Trail 5 Margalla Hills | Nature Attraction |
Colleges and Universities in Islamabad, Pakistan
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quaid-i-Azam University | Public | University | Research excellence |
| National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) | Public | University | Engineering and technology |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | Public | University | Science and IT |
| International Islamic University Islamabad | Public | University | Islamic and social studies |
| Air University | Public | University | Aerospace and technology |
Waterbodies in Islamabad, Pakistan
Rawal Lake, Korang River, Soan River, Simly Dam Reservoir, Khanpur Dam, Kurang Stream, Ling Stream, Rawal Dam Lake, Shahdara Valley Streams, Haro River Basin
Golf Courses in Islamabad, Pakistan
Islamabad Golf Club, Islamabad Club Golf Course, Margalla Greens Golf Club, Defence Raya Practice Facility Islamabad, Naval Anchorage Golf Course, Rawalpindi Golf Club
Islamabad, Pakistan - Key Historical Facts
- Islamabad was planned and constructed during the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital.
- The city was designed by Greek architect and planner Constantinos Doxiadis.
- Islamabad was strategically located near Rawalpindi to improve administrative efficiency.
- The capital developed rapidly as government institutions and diplomatic missions relocated to the city.
- Faisal Mosque, completed in 1986, became one of the most recognizable landmarks in Pakistan.
- Today, Islamabad serves as Pakistan's political center and is known for its organized layout, green spaces and proximity to the Margalla Hills.
References
- Islamabad Capital Territory Administration
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
- Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Islamabad