Rawalpindi located in the nothernmost part of Punjab province, was the capital of Pakistan from 1959 to 1969. The city lies on the Potwar Plateau 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Islamabad, the national capital. The district has an area of 5,286 square kilometre (2,041 square mile). Originally, its area was 6,192 square kilometre (2,391 square mile) until the 1960s when Islamabad Capital Territory was carved out of the district, giving away an area of 906 square kilometre (350 sq mi). It is situated on the southern slopes of the north-western extremities of the Himalayas, including large mountain tracts with rich valleys traversed by mountain and rivers. The chief rivers are the Indus and the Jhelum, it is noted for its milder climate and abundant rainfall due to its proximity to the foothills.
Rawalpindi is the fourth populous city of Pakistan. As per the 1998 census of Pakistan, the demographics of the Rawalpindi district, by spoken language is Punjabi language (90%) and others (10%). Inhabitants of Rawalpindi district speak a great variety of Punjabi dialects:
- Pothohari (Tehsils of Gujar khan, Potohar Town & Kallar syedan)
- Pahari (Tehsil Muree, Kotli Sattian & people of AJK living in the district)
- Majhi or Standard (Tehsil Rawal town & in cities)
- Chachi (A variety of hindko spoken in Tehsil Taxila)
- Ghebi (South western border areas to Attock district)
- Dhani (Southern borders near district Chakwal)
- Shapuri (People of Sargodha division living in the district).