During the 1800's and early 1900's, Great Britain ruled the region that is now Pakistan. The region formed part of India. When the British granted India independence in 1947, they divided the country according to the religion of its people. Pakistan was created out of northwestern and northeastern India. The two sections of the new nation were over 1,000miles(1,600 Km.) apart. The majority of the people of both regions of Pakistan were Muslims. Most of the people of the remaining territory of India were Hindus.

The two sections of Pakistan were called West Pakistan and East Pakistan. Although the people of both regions shared the same religion, cultural and geographical differences led to the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971.

Cultural differences remain a problem in Pakistan today. The population consists of a number of cultural groups, each with its own language. The official language of Pakistan is Urdu, but large parts of the population speak Baluchi, Punjabi, Pushtu or Sindhi. Such language barriers, plus other divisions among its people, have made it difficult for Pakistan to develop into a unified, progressive nation.