Pakistan: holidays, national customs, climate
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
13th February | Eid ul-Azha (Festival of Sacrifice) |
March 23 | Package day |
the 14th of March | Ashoura |
May 15 | Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed) |
August 14 | Independence day |
October | Beginning of Ramadan |
November | Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) |
November 9 | Allama Iqbal day |
25 December | Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday; Christmas |
December 31 | holiday |
Source: Countryaah – Pakistan Holidays
Cultural event
March
Pakistani Day events. Mela Chiraghan (Lantern Festival) in Lahore.
August 14th
Independence Day events.
October/November
Shag-e-Barat (The Night of Forgiveness, Islamic Festival).
Sporting events
- Golf: There are golf clubs in the major cities of Pakistan that have to be introduced to by a member. Often one can also purchase a temporary membership.
- Tennis: There are tennis courts in the sports clubs in the larger cities, but you have to be introduced by a member. However, there is the possibility of obtaining temporary membership through the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.
- Water sports: In addition to the beaches, there are swimming pools in larger cities, clubs and larger hotels. You can rent sailing and motor boats.
- Fishing: Night fishing on the sea is a special experience. The freshwater lakes also offer good fishing opportunities.
- Cricket is the national sport; in the bigger cities you can almost always watch a game.
- Soccer and hockey are becoming increasingly popular.
- Horse races and polo games take place in Lahore and Karachi.
Special national customs
Women should not wear tight dresses and make sure that their arms and legs are covered. Pakistani society is divided into classes, and within each class there are subtle social differences. The Koran, on which Islamic law is based, influences all aspects of daily life.
According to Islamic law, a man is allowed to marry up to four women, provided that he can treat all of them equally; yet few men in Pakistan have more than one wife. Even today honor killings are still taking place in Pakistan, in which female family members are murdered by their families to “save the family honor”.
Elderly people are very respected in Pakistan and treated with a lot of respect.
Pakistan: climate
The best time to travel to Pakistan
The ideas of what is meant by a particularly favorable travel climate depend on a number of factors. For example, cultural travelers see the climate very differently than people who want to spend a pure beach holiday, for example. The state of health or age can also play an important role. Therefore, our travel time recommendations are divided into the following two categories:
For people who are not sensitive to the sun
For people who like to enjoy a lot of sun and who do not have any problems with higher temperatures, the whole year is suitable for a visit.
For people who prefer a temperate climate
People who prefer a moderate climate and lower temperatures should use the following seasons to stay in Pakistan: spring, autumn and winter.
Climate table
The following table shows a range of climate data for the country. It should be noted, however, that the climatic conditions in different regions of the country can differ considerably from one another and thus also from the values shown. In addition, such monthly temperature averages say little about the possible current minimum or maximum temperatures. It is not uncommon for average temperatures of around 30 °C to reach maximum values of 40 °C or even more on a number of days. The table therefore only provides a general overview of the climatic conditions in the country.
Month | Average number of rainy days | Mean maximum temperatures in (°C) | Mean minimum temperatures in (°C) |
January | 01-02 | 18-19 | 12-13 |
February | 01-02 | 18-19-27 | 14 |
March | 0-01 | 20-22 | 19-20 |
April | 0-02 | 29-30 | 21-23 |
May | 0-01 | 33-34 | 26-27 |
June | 01-02 | 34-35 | 28-29 |
July | 02-03 | 32-33 | 27-28 |
August | 01-02 | 31-32 | 24-26 |
September | 01-02 | 30-31 | 24-25 |
October | 0-01 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
November | 0-01 | 26-27 | 18-20 |
December | 01-02 | 20-21 | 14-15 |
Pakistan: Sightseeing
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that PK stands for the nation of Pakistan as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Silk Road in the Tian Shan Mountains
- Rohtas fortress
- Ruins and necropolis of Thatta
- Fortress and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore
- Moenjo-Daro (also Mohanjo-Daro or Moenjodaro)
- Buddhist ruins at Takht-i-Bahi
- Taxila ruined city
Bigger cities
Faisalabad
The former Lyallpur is Pakistan’s third largest city and is inhabited by about 2 million people. The city spreads west of Lahore and belongs to the Punjab province. Faisalbad is an important industrial center (including textile factories and rice) and an important traffic junction.
Islamabad
Islamabad, the young capital of a young state, is the man-made economic and political center of Pakistan. Work on the planned city began in the 1960s, with the conception of the city going back to the Greek architect Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis (1913-1975).
For more information on Islamabad, see Goruma under Islamabad
Lahore
“Lahore, Lahore aye” – “Lahore is Lahore.” With these simple words, the Lahori underscore the chaotic hodgepodge uniqueness of their lively, lovable and invigorating city with justified pride. Lahore, the old and second largest city after Karachi in the actually still young state of Pakistan, is a motley, personable, not always easy to understand, but pleasantly wild mixture of colors, shapes, transfigurations, historical kicks, culture, lust for life and many others People…
You can find more information about Lahore at Goruma under Lahore
Karachi
Karachi is a veritable giant. The largest city in Pakistan and the second largest city in the world acts as the capital of Sindh Province and was the country’s capital until 1959. Karachi spreads out where the Indus flows as a delta into the Arabian Sea. It is estimated that around 20 million live in the city, making it an octopus-like urban chaos that never stands still. Karachi is the economic, trade and production center of Pakistan as well as a transport hub and cultural center. Several renowned research institutions as well as museums, galleries, sights and the largest port in the country are outstanding characteristics of a city that appears threatening to many (and not entirely without good reason).
Peshawar
The “city on the border” acts as the capital of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. About 3,055,000 people live in the city located near the Afghan border, which for many travelers has a mysterious and mysterious reputation. Peshawar spreads out at the eastern exit of the Chaiber Pass and serves as a simple border crossing between Pakistan and war-torn Afghanistan.
Quetta
Quetta is a tough and simple border and the capital of the province of Balochistan. Around 900,000 people live in crisis-ridden Quetta near the Afghan border. The city is an important military base and the third important center of the Pashtuns. It is also an important hub for the supply of Western troops in Afghanistan who are stationed in connection with the war in Afghanistan and for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Special structures
Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi
The university hospital near Karsaz was planned and built by Payette Associates. It is known for its modernist architecture, which take into account and combine history, climate, environment and the spiritual values of Islam.
Fort of Lahore
The Fort of Lahore, made of shimmering white marble, was transformed from a functional military building into a rich work of art, a place of representation with a beautifully decorated fortress wall, parks and filigree audience buildings. The 17th century Mirror Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings that make up the fort.
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore
The large Gaddafi Stadium dedicated to cricket was developed by the architect and engineer Nasreddin Murat-Khan, who also let Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan (see above) shoot up. It was realized by Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company in 1959. In 1996, the stadium was extensively renovated, which was due to the Cricket World Cup, which took place in the same year. At that time, the final of the major sporting event was hosted in Gaddafi Stadium. With seating for around 60,000, it is also the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan. It also hosted the 1990 Hockey World Cup Final. Back then, the Pakistani hosts were unfortunately beaten 3-1 by the Dutch.
Minar-e Pakistan in Lahore
The 60 meter high Minar-e Pakistan is the official landmark of Pakistan. It rises in the lively Iqbal Park in downtown Lahore and was completed after eight years of construction. The white tower was constructed on the spot where the Muslim League passed the so-called Lahore resolution in 1940, which called for the establishment of an independent Pakistan. The imposing tower was designed by the Turkish architect Murad Khan, who made it resemble a flower. The 99 names of God are depicted on the outer walls of the tower base. While it was still possible to climb the tower until 2003, it was forbidden afterwards. The tower is the venue for an amusement festival between December and January and concerts by Pakistani singers on national holidays.
National Monument in Islamabad
The National Monument represents the four provinces (Balochistan, north-west border region, Punjab and Sindh) and three territories of Pakistan (the northern territories, Azad Kashmir and the tribal regions). It was designed according to the plans of the renowned architect Arif Masood, who chose a flower shape for his building, which is supposed to symbolize the rapid flowering of the developing Pakistan. Otherwise, the building reflects the country’s culture and civilization and honors all those who have sacrificed themselves for Pakistan’s future. The monument, which is located at the western lookout point of the Shakar Parian Hills, spreads over an area of 2.8 hectares and was built between 2004 and 2006.
‘Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi
‘ Mazar-e-Quaid is one of the main attractions in Karachi. This is the tomb of Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1876-1948), the founder of independent Pakistan. It was designed in white marble in the 1960s and placed in the city center. The architect Yahya Merchant was responsible as designer. Arched arches, tiered chandeliers, copper decorations make the ‘Mazar-e-Quaid an impressive work of art. The tomb, which also serves as a museum, is surrounded by a large park and illuminated at night with powerful spotlights. There is a changing of the guard at the tomb three times a day.
Ocean Tower in Karachi
The former Sofitel Tower belonged to the International Hotels Chain, but was no longer planned as a hotel due to the fragile security situation. The private company Siddiqson Group and Triple Tree Associates took over the still unfinished tower and completed it in 2012. The Ocean Tower is now about 130 meters high and is Pakistan’s largest building and houses restaurants, shopping centers, offices, a club and cinemas on 28 floors
Saudi-Pak Tower in Islamabad The
Saudi Park Tower, created by Nayyar Ali Dada, is an office building in the Blue Area. Company offices are housed there as well as UN premises. The tower is a local landmark and impresses with its massive exterior. Its beige construction was decorated with traditional Islamic blue tiles. The tower, which is one of the largest structures in Islamabad, is also one of the best-secured structures in the city.
The Centaurus in Islamabad
This project in Islamabad’s Blue Area, which is currently under construction, was designed by WS Atkins PLC, which has also designed such giants as the Burj al-Arab in Dubai and the Bahrain World Trade Center in Bahrain. The Centaurus is not only intended to serve as a residential, residential, commercial and conference building, but also symbolize the growth of Pakistan. By 2010, the 37-story, $ 350 million-consuming monster will be completed. At this point in time it will contain a 7-star deluxe hotel, two 21-storey residential towers, an office tower with 25 floors and a 5-storey shopping center.
Sacred buildings
Badschahi Mosque in Lahore
The sacred heart of Lahore is the beguilingly beautiful Badschahi Mosque, the “Imperial Mosque”. After the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, it is the second largest church in Pakistan and one of the largest mosques in the world. There is space for around 50,000 believers in its square forecourt. The imposing three-domed structure stretches towards the urban sky opposite the Lahore Fort and stands on a platform that is accessible via stairs. The Badschahi Mosque was built in 1673 and 1674 at the behest of the Mughal Mughal at the time, Aurangzeb, who built one of the most famous works of Indo-Islamic sacred architecture by the Mughals. The gigantic marble domes the octagonal minarets with their attached pavilions and the symmetry of the red and white sandstone facade are just a few of the architectural features of this exceptional building. A small museum can be visited near the entrance which (allegedly) contains relics, including a turban of the Prophet Mohammed.
Masjid-e-Tooba in Karachi
The mosque, made of white marble in 1969, rises in the Defense district. It is said to be the largest single-coupling mosque in the world. The minaret is 70 meters high. The central prayer hall offers space for around 5,000 people.
Shah Faisal Mosque (Shah Faisal Masjid) in Islamabad
The impressive national mosque of Pakistan rises in white pride in the northwest of Islamabad directly in front of the majestic Margalla Hills. The architecturally highly remarkable and gold-decorated sacral monument is the undisputed landmark of the Pakistani capital and is one of the largest mosques on earth. Around 74,000 devout Muslims can be found in the building, which was completed in 1984. The construction of the huge mosque goes back to Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz, the then king of Saudi Arabia, who, during a visit to Islamabad in 1966, suggested the construction of a gigantic place of worship for Muslims.
The construction of the mosque was made according to the ideas of the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay and financed by the Saudi Arabian government (and above all King Faisal himself). Not only the mosque, but also the road leading to it were named after Faisal after he was murdered in 1975.
The fascinating structure covers an area of 5,000 square meters and has four 90 meter high minarets. The shape of the prayer hall is based on the triangular tents of the Bedouins and shoots 40 meters into the sky at its highest point. In the interior there is an oversized, 30-ton chandelier that was made in Austria. And the inner walls of the mosque are decorated with calligraphy and mosaics by the famous Pakistani artist Sedeqain. Carrara marble slabs set into the floor limit the individual prayer rooms.
The mosque, which is a central place of Pakistani life in the capital, is located at the end of Islamabad and finds a breathtaking backdrop in the Margalla hills behind it.
Cathedral of the Resurrection (Kukar Girja) in Lahore
This Anglican cathedral in the heart of Lahore rises on Mall Road and dates back to 1887. It faces the Lahore High Court and acts as the seat of the Diocese of Lahore. The imposing building was designed in a neo-Gothic style and was refined in 1898 with the two charismatic towers. The church’s greatest treasure is the Taxila Cross, which was found in the ancient city of Sirkap in 1935.
Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum (also Begum Shahi Mosque) in Lahore
Inside the old town of Lahore is the Begum Shahi Mosque, an architectural child of Mughal ruler Nuruddin Salim Jahangir. It rises in the Masti Gate and is one of Lahore’s oldest mosques. It was built for the mother of the ruler, Mariam-uz-Zamani, whose tomb can be found in Sikandra (near the Indian city of Agra).
Moti Masjid in Lahore
The Moti Masjid is located within the Lahore Fort and was built in the 17th century. The rather small, white marble construction goes back to the orders of Shah Jahan and is one of his famous additions to the Lahore Fort. The so-called “Pearl Mosque” has three large domes and a five-arched facade.
Pakistan, Lahore, Sikh Temple, Gurdwara by Arjan Dev
Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore
The main church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lahore is a rapturously magnificent structure that was consecrated in 1907. The Sacred Heart Cathedral was designed by the Belgian architect Dr. Dubbeleim designed in the imposing style of Roman Byzantine studies.
Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore
The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is a magnificent temple that contains the cremation urns of the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). It is enthroned in good neighborhood, namely near the fort and the Badschahi mosque. The temple was started by Ranjit Singh’s son, Kharak Singh, and completed in 1848 by his youngest son, Duleep Singh. The Samadhi is shown in the typical Sikh construction and is particularly impressive with its golden domes and artfully decorated balustrade.
Cultural institutions
Lahore Museum (also Central Museum) in Lahore
The renowned Lahore Museum was opened in 1894. It shows itself as a majestic Mughal building and is dedicated to the history of Pakistan. The museum designed by the architect Ganga Ram can be found in Mall Road and there you can see works and finds, particularly from the Mughal period. In front of the museum is the famous Zamzama cannon, one of the largest in the entire subcontinent.
Mughal Museum in Lahore
The Mughal Museum was established in Poonch House on Multan Road in 1950 and is dedicated to the industry and economy of Pakistan. The collections are arranged in a large hall and around a gallery and consist of such exhibits as lamps made of camel skin, musical instruments and embroidery.
National Museum of Pakistan in Karachi
The National Museum of Pakistan is particularly dedicated to anthropology, archeology, Islamic art and the history of the country. The museum was established in the Frere Hall in 1950 and replaced the former Victoria Museum. It is in the Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road and is currently being restored. With a little friendliness, however, the caretakers are happy to open some of the dusty and dilapidated rooms.
Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad
This museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the country and offers countless insights and information about the different lifestyles in the parts of Pakistan. The museum, located near the Shakar Parian Hills, displays jewels, paintings, ivory and knucklework, clothing, metalwork and much more.
National Art Gallery in Islamabad
The four-story National Art Gallery faces the Pakistani Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) and the President’s House (Aiwan-e-Sadr). It unites 14 individual galleries under the roof of a modernist cube building that was developed by the architects Naeem Pasha and Suhail Abbasi.
Pakistan’s Natural History Museum in Islamabad
This museum in the Pakistani capital has exhibits on the country’s rich flora and fauna. Furthermore, minerals and fossils can also be seen.
Universities in the country
Punjab University (also PU or University of Punjab) in Lahore
The state university of Punjab is not only the oldest, but also the largest in all of Pakistan. About 30,000 students are enrolled at it; another 442,000 off-campus students learn by distance learning or similar. These make the university one of the largest universities in Asia. It was founded in 1882 as the fourth university in British India and was the university for north-west India until the Punjab was divided in 1947. The university’s most famous graduates include Nobel Prize winner Abdus Salam (physics) and Syed Babar Ali, the former Pakistani finance minister.
University of Engineering & Technology in Lahore
The university, one of the oldest institutions, has existed since 1921 and is dedicated to technology and engineering. Students from all over the world learn here. The university also includes the National Museum of Science and the National Library of Sciences.
University of Lahore
The University of Lahore is one of the city’s newer foundings. She currently offers courses and seminars in medicine, law, economics and computer science.
University of Management and Technology in Lahore
The Management and Technology University is still quite young. It owes its reputation to courses in business, economics and computer science.
University of Karachi
The State University of Karachi is one of the largest and best universities in the country. Around 20,000 students are currently enrolled at the university and are trained by around 1,000 employees. Incidentally, the university was opened in 1951.
University of South Asia in Lahore
The relatively young university has its roots in the National College of Computer Sciences (NCCS) and offers students seminars in social, legal, computer and economic sciences.
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore
In 1882 the veterinary university was established. This makes it one of the oldest and most renowned veterinary institutions not only in Pakistan, but in all of Asia.
natural beauties
Bagh-e-Jinnah (also Jinnah’s Garden) in Lahore
The former Lawrence Gardens are named after Pakistan’s founding father Mohammed Ali Jinnah and spread out near Mall Road. The historical park is a large green area with a botanical garden, the Masjid Dar-ul-Islam and the Quaid-e-Azam library. Numerous sports and entertainment options make the park a popular destination, which also includes an open-air theater, tennis courts, a restaurant and the Gymkhana cricket ground. Joggers, couples, families, students and old people – all love their Jinnah Park and jog, picnic or relax in other ways.
Damam-e-Koh in Islamabad
The Damam-e-Koh is a terraced garden that is five minutes’ drive from the gigantic Faisal Mosque of Islamabad in the Magallah Hills. Wonderful hiking trails, picnic areas and elevations make the gem, together with its cheeky monkeys, a popular excursion destination not only for capital city dwellers.
Hingol National Park
Pakistan’s largest national park is made up of volcanoes and remnants of ancient civilizations. It stretches along the Hingol River in Beluchistan Province and was launched in 1997. The 6100 km² area has been officially protected since 1988. The Dhrun Game Reserve also belongs to it.
Keenjhar Lake Resort
About 100 km from Karachi is this resort with its idyllic cottages (huts), where travelers like to stay overnight and take a break from the strenuous travel. Boating, bird watching, fishing – the stay can best be booked through the offices of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). These are located in Karatschis Stratchen Road, opposite the Hotel Metropole.
Kirthar National Park
The Kirthar National Park extends in the southwest of Sindh. It was created in 1974 and covers a total area of 3,087 km². This makes it the second largest national park in Pakistan after the Hingol National Park. Wolves, gazelles, leopards, striped hyenas, honey badgers, horned sheep, Sind wild goats and stag goat antelopes can be admired there.
Nanga Parbat
The Kashmir region is home to some of the highest mountains in the world, the most famous of which is Nanga Parbat, which is 8,125 meters high. The mountain was climbed for the first time on July 3, 1953 by the Austrian Hermann Buhl (1924-1957). It is also worth mentioning that the most important mountaineer of all – the South Tyrolean Reinhold Messmer (born 1944 in Brixen) – lost his brother Günther on this mountain when he descended on June 28, 1970.
K2
The K2 is the highest mountain in Pakistan with a height of 8,611 m. The mountain lies on the border between Pakistan and China in the Karakoram Mountains. It was climbed for the first time on July 31, 1954 by the two Italian mountaineers Achille Compagnoni (1914-2009) and Lino Lacedelli (born 1925).
Fatima Jinnah Park (also F9 Park) in Islamabad
The public “green lung” of Islamabad is located in Sector F-9 and is said to be one of the largest parks in Southeast Asia. It was named after the “Madre Millat” (= mother of the nation) Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of the Pakistani founder. In addition to pleasant meadows, the huge area also offers areas overgrown with bushes and trees and a living animal kingdom. It is also used by walkers and joggers. While some parts of the park look planned and are very well-kept, others stand out for their impressive wild growth.
Attractions
Silk Road in the Tian Shan Mountains
The Silk Road crosses borders and includes the following core areas.
– the province of Xinjiang in China
– Afghanistan
– Kashmir
– the north of India
– the northern parts of Pakistan
– Tajikistan
– Kyrgyzstan
– Uzbekistan
– Turkmenistan
– Iran’s Khorasan province in the northeast of the country
The Silk Road is an old caravan route. According to our era, it has been known since the year zero.
The Silk Road led from China to West Asia and India, bypassing the Gobi Desert. For example, the cities of Antioch and Damascus became rich through constant trade with other countries – and also gained political importance.
City-states such as Turfan and Chotan emerged along the Silk Road.
A trip from China to the Mediterranean took about three to four years. In this way, China supplied silk, glass and precious metals, among other things. In return, cultivated plants were brought to China from the west.
The tracks of the later railways were largely laid along the old Silk Road. It is hoped that by preserving and renewing the Silk Road, Afghanistan will become a hub between Central and South Asia and the Middle East. The Silk Road was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2014.
Fortress and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore
The Shalimar Gardens are located on large marble terraces, there are numerous ponds with fountains.
The gardens were irrigated through three cisterns, two of which were destroyed because a road was being built there. The Pakistani government then put the gardens on the Red List of UNESCO World Heritage in Danger.
In the 16th century the military fortress was restored.
It is a red sandstone fort.
Later everything was covered with white marble. The Spiegelpalast was built in the 17th century.
The Lahore Fortress and Shalimar Gardens were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981
Moenjo-Daro (also Mohanjo-Daro or Moenjodaro)
About 40 km away from the city of Larkana, this historical settlement spreads out, which was part of the Indus culture between 2600 and 1800 BC.
The abandoned place was rediscovered in 1922. Moenjo-Daro, in English: “Hill of the Dead”, was probably the main center of the Harappa or Indus culture. This belonged to the three early advanced cultures of mankind. A bath is the central building of the settlement. A citadel rises 15 meters and is the highest point on the plain. The ruined city of Moenjo-Daro was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1980
Buddhist ruins at Takht-i-Bahi
Takht-i-Bahi is a Buddhist monastery in the Gandhara region. The ruins are located on a 150 m high mountain northeast of Mardan. The place probably already existed in the 1st century BC. Chr.! In the 6th and 7th centuries AD. more buildings arose. In the center of the complex is a stupa, a symbol for Buddha, around which smaller stupas are grouped. There are monk cells in a courtyard. The complex has numerous statues and there are reliefs on the walls.
The Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980
Ruined city Taxila
In the year 326 BC. Chr. Reached Alexander the Great Taxila, he occupied the local municipal Bhir Mount.
It is the oldest settlement, of which only wall foundations still exist. It was built around the 5th century BC. Chr..
The resulting at the same time there Sirkap settlement is still intact, unlike Bhir Mount. In it you can feel the life of that time well. In the area around Taxila Greek and Indian cultures are united. Buddha statues were shown with a face for the first time, which was not common at the time.
The folds of his robes are reminiscent of Greek statues. More monasteries were built in the valleys around Taxila, the ruins of which still breathe the tranquility of the former residents. To this day, one believes to feel the serenity of a teaching that is closer to nothing than the world.
The ruined city of Taxila was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1980.