Balochistan - Province of Pakistan - All About Balochistan

Pakistan

Pakistan officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistanis a sovereign country in South Asia With a population exceeding 180 million people, it is the sixth most populous country and with an area covering 796,095 km2 (307,374 sq mi), it is the 36th largest country in the world in terms of area. Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650 mi) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest and China in the far northeast. It is separated from Tajikistan by Afghanistan's narrow Wakhan Corridor in the north, and also shares a marine border with Oman. The name Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure" in Urdu and Persian. It was coined in 1933 as Pakstan by Choudhry Rahmat Ali.

Provinces of Pakistan

 Pakistan has four provinces the name of these provinces are:

 1) Punjab Punjab Pakistan - Punjabi Culture - Province of Pakistan
 2) Sindh
 3) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
 4) Balochistan

Balochistan

Literraly means the land of Balouchs, Balochistan is the area wise largest province of Pakistan, it constitutes approximately 44% of the total area of Pakistan. According to government figures 2009 estimates, Balochistan has a population of roughly 10 million. Its bordered with Iran in the west, Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province to the north, Punjab and Sindh in the east. South of Balochistan is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

Languages of Balochistan

The principal languages in the province are the native Balochi and Brahui, followed by Pashto, Sindhi, Hazaragi, and Persian.

Climate of Balochistan 

The climate of the upper highlands is characterised by very cold winters and hot summers. In the lower highlands, winters vary from extremely cold in northern districts Ziarat, Quetta, Kalat, Muslim Baagh and Khanozai to milder conditions closer to the Makran coast. Winters are mild on the plains, where temperature never falling below freezing point. Summers are hot and dry, especially in the arid zones of Chaghai and Kharan districts. The plains are also very hot in summer, with temperatures reaching 50 °C (122 °F).The record highest temperature, 53 °C (127 °F), was recorded in Sibi on 26 May 2010, exceeding the previous record, 52 °C (126 °F). Other hot areas includes, Turbat, and Dalbandin. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.

Capital of Balochistan

The capital city is Quetta, located in the most densely populated district in the northeast of the province. Quetta is situated in a river valley near the border with Afghanistan, with a road to Kandahar in the northwest.


Culcute of Balochistan

Baloch culture is opposite to the general perception about it. Though Balochistan is an area of barren lands, deserts and mountains, the Baloch culture is full of traditions, arts and crafts. Balochi embroidery is one of the most popular arts and crafts which are done by the females. Baluchistan is also known for its tribes and festivals. Another distinct feature of Baloch culture is the storytelling tradition.  Poets and story tellers are highly respected in Baloch culture.


Dresses of Balochistan

 The Balochi males who normally belong to the major ethnic communities, Baloch, Pashtoon and Brahvi, all of them wear similar clothes with little divergence. Turban is considered as an integral part of the male dress and they use loose trousers ( Shalwar ) with knee long shirts in their dress. The Baloch woman wears a dress embellished with heavy sleeves and borders. Another prominent part of the woman’s dress is the trio shaped pocket with lots of embroidery. The cultural dresses of Balochistan are prepared with glass and several colored threads. This is not really easy to make such phenomenal dress as it requires lots of hard work and designing.