Punjab

Punjab

The Punjab (sometimes spelt Panjab) is a region straddling the border between India and Pakistan. Once a single entity, it is now split between two nations: see Punjab, India and Punjab, Pakistan. Punjab, India covers an area of 50,362 square kilometres (19,445 square miles). Punjab, Pakistan is 205,344 square kilometres, (79,284 square miles). Population: 24,000,000 (2000) in India: 70,000,000 (1994) in Pakistan.

The region came under British rule when the East India Company annexed the Punjab on March 29, 1849. The region was divided between India and Pakistan when they gained independence in 1947.

The name "Punjab" means "land of five rivers." The rivers, tributaries of the Indus, are the Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej. The five rivers, now divided between India and Pakistan, merge to form the Panjnad, which joins the Indus.

Most of the Punjab is an alluvial plain, bounded by mountains to the North. Despite its dry conditions, it is a rich agricultural area due to the extensive irrigation made possible by the great rivers.

Sikhism is the main religion of the Indian Punjab. About 60% of the population are Sikhs. Islam is the religion of about 97% of the population of Punjab, Pakistan. The language of the region is Punjabi.

Chandigarh city is the capital of the Indian state of Punjab. Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab.