Quick answerKarachi is the largest city of Pakistan, with 18,868,021 people inside the city limits in 2023. The wider metropolitan area had about 20.4 million people in 2023. It is best known for the Mazar-e-Quaid, the Clifton Beach and the Frere Hall. Its official languages are Urdu and English, and its currency is the Pakistani rupee.
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, with about 18.9 million people in the city and about 20.4 million in the Karachi Division (2023). It stands on the Arabian Sea coast in the south and is the country's main port, financial centre and most cosmopolitan city.
Key facts
| Country | Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 18,868,021 (2023) |
| Population (metro) | 20,382,881 (2023) · Karachi Division, 2023 census |
| Elevation | 10 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Karachi |
| Language | Urdu, English |
| Currency | Pakistani rupee (PKR, ₨) |
| Coordinates | 24.86° N, 67.01° E |
Overview
Karachi is the capital of Sindh province and the largest city in Pakistan, on the Arabian Sea coast in the south of the country. The city proper had 18,868,021 residents in the 2023 census, while the Karachi Division held 20,382,881 people, and the city sits about 10 metres above sea level. It was Pakistan's federal capital from 1947 until 1959, when the capital moved to Islamabad.
Karachi was formally founded as the fortified village of Kolachi in 1729, and it grew into a major port under British rule in the 19th century. Its landmarks include the Mazar-e-Quaid, the white marble tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, the colonial-era Frere Hall and Empress Market, the Mohatta Palace, and Clifton Beach on the Arabian Sea.
Today Karachi is Pakistan's main port, its financial centre and its most cosmopolitan city, home to the stock exchange, the headquarters of most banks and big companies, and Jinnah International Airport. It is one of the most linguistically and ethnically diverse places in the country, and it is known for its street food, its markets and its busy port.
What Karachi is known for
- Mazar-e-Quaid
- Clifton Beach
- Frere Hall
- Empress Market
- Port of Karachi
- Street food
Landmarks
- Mazar-e-Quaid
- Frere Hall
- Mohatta Palace
- Empress Market
- Clifton Beach
- Port of Karachi
- Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Karachi?
About 18.9 million people live in Karachi (18,868,021 in the 2023 census). The wider Karachi Division had about 20.4 million people. That makes Karachi the largest city in Pakistan and the 11th-largest city proper in the world, and the country's main port and financial centre.
What is Karachi famous for?
Karachi is famous as Pakistan's biggest city, its main port and its financial centre, and for the Mazar-e-Quaid, the tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is also known for Clifton Beach, Frere Hall, the Empress Market and its street food, and as one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country.
Where is Karachi located?
Karachi is in southern Pakistan, on the Arabian Sea coast, at the southern tip of the country. It is the capital of Sindh province and was Pakistan's first capital, from 1947 to 1959. Its coordinates are 24.86° N, 67.01° E, and its time zone is Pakistan Standard Time.
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Keep exploring
- Pakistan — the country Karachi is in
- Lahore — another city in Pakistan
- Faisalabad — another city in Pakistan
- Islamabad — another city in Pakistan
- All cities in Pakistan
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.