Balochistan is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. It is the largest province in terms of land area, forming the southwestern region of the country, but is the least populated. Its provincial capital and largest city is Quetta. Balochistan shares borders with Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the northeast, Sindh to the east and southeast, the Arabian Sea to the south, Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north and northwest.
The main ethnic groups in the province are the Baloch people and the Pashtuns, who constitute 52% and 36% of the population respectively (according to the preliminary 2011 census). The remaining 12% comprises smaller communities of Brahuis, Hazaras along with other communities such as Sindhis, Punjabis, Uzbeks and Turkmens.
Astola Island
Island of the Seven Hills
Astola Island is situated in Balochistan Province of Pakistan. It is also known as ‘Jezira Haft Talar’ or ‘Island of the seven Hills. It is an uninhabited island in the Arabian Sea. The Island is a part of Pasni sub-district of Gwadar District.
The island is 6.7 kilometres in length and a maximum width of 2.3 kilometres. The highest point of the island is 246 feet above sea level. Astola Island maintains endemic life because of its isolated location. It is a very important area for endemic life. It is also support a large number of breeding water birds and many other creatures. There is no source of fresh water on the island. That is the reason that there are no trees on the island. The vegetation depends on the occasional rainfall and soil moisture for survival.
Gwadar
warm water deep sea port of Gwadar
Gwadar city, renowned for the warm water deep sea port of Gwadar, is found on the south-western Arabian Sea shore in coastal area of Balochistan, Pakistan. It is located about 460 kilometers from the city of Karachi and seventy five kilometers from Iranian border. It is the capital of Gwadar District. It additionally works as winter capital for the province of Balochistan.
For many years, Gwadar remained under the rule of many colonial and regional states, one after another. It came under the administrative management of government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1958.
Hanna lake
The man-made Hanna lake
The man-made Hanna lake, located near Quetta is ranked as one of the most beautiful lakes of Pakistan and the jewel in the crown of beautiful Balochistan.There is a lakeside eating place with picnic tables shaded by using way of pine timber at the prevent of the river wherein households can enjoy the meals and weather at the jap factor the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA) the first and handiest rowing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing education and championships establishing centre in Balochistan Province with provision of difficult swimming facility. Hanna Lake is one of the maximum visited and accessible lakes in Balochistan.
Hingol National Park
largest park in Pakistan
Hingol National Park is the largest park in Pakistan. It is located on the Makran coast approximately 190 kilometers from Karachi. Hingol is known to support a wide range of wildlife in addition to a variety of bird species. One reliable source informed that the park has been an excellent habitat for wild animals including over 3000 ibexes, 1500 Urials, and more than 1200 Chinkara, besides a number of residents and many migratory birds, which makes it one of the largest wildlife parks in Pakistan.
