Quetta

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{{Pakistani Cities | name = Quetta | flag = Pk-bal.gif | emblem = Pakistan emblem.jpg| Emblem not yet available | province = Balochistan | city_image = Pk-map.png | n1 = 30 | n2 = 21 | n3 = 36 | e1 = 67 | e2 = 01 | e3 = 12 | altitude = 1,680 metres (5,500 feet) above sea level | area = 2,653 | census_year = 1998 | estimate_year = 2006 | census_pop = 565,137 <ref name="census"> Population Census Organization, Pakistan. 1998 Census. URL accessed April 5^th, 2006</ref> | estimate_pop = 759,894 <ref name="pop_est"> World Gazetteer population estimate for Quetta. URL accessed April 5^th, 2006</ref> | density = 213 | code = 081 | towns = 2 | uc = 66 <ref name="uc"> National Reconstruction Bureau of Pakistan, list of Zila, Tehsil & Town Councils Membership for Balochistan. URL accessed April 5^th, 2006</ref> | mayor = Mir Maqbool Ahmed Lehri | footnotes = }} Quetta (کویتہ) is the capital of the province Balochistan in Pakistan. The spelling of 'Quetta' is an erroneous English derivation from kwatta meaning 'fort' in the Pushtu language. Quetta is also known as the "fruit garden" of Pakistan. It is located in the densely populated Quetta District, which lies in the northeast of the province, and is situated in a river valley near the Afghani border, with a road to Kandahar in the northwest.

1 Geography
2 Climate
3 History
4 Demography and Society
5 Culture
6 Educational institutions
7 Sites of interest
8 Sports
9 Transport
10 Famous people from Quetta
11 See also
12 References
13 External links

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Geography

Quetta city is comprised of a valley surrounded by three different mountain ranges. It is in the north west of karachi and south west of islamabad.

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Climate

Quetta has minimum winter temperatures ranging well below freezing point and are as low as -13C, while maximum winter temperatures seldom crosses 20C. Snow fall is a comon feature in month of january . While summer maximum and minimum temperature hover around 32C and 12C respectively. Unlike to the rest of the country, Quetta does not have a fertile rainy season during monsoon time . In general quetta has a dry climate whose effect is obvious from the dusty outlook of quetta valley surrounded by the barren mountains.

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History

Quetta (the word derives from kwatta, fort in Pushtu) no doubt is a natural fort, surrounded as it is by imposing hills on all sides. The encircling hills have the resounding names of Chiltan, Takatoo, Mordar and Zarghun. Quetta was first mentioned in the 11th century when it was captured by Mahmood of Ghazni on one of his invasions of the subcontinent. In 1543 the Moghul emperor Humayun rested here on his retreat to Persia, leaving his one-year-old son Akbar until he returned two years later. The Moghuls ruled Quetta until 1556, when it was taken by the Persians, only to be retaken by Akbar in 1595.

The powerful Khans of Kalat held the fort from 1730. In 1828 the first westerner to visit Quetta described it as a mud-walled fort surrounded by 300 mud houses. Although occupied briefly by the British during the First Afghan War in 1839, it was not until 1876 that Quetta came under permanent British control and Robert Sandeman was made political agent in Baluchistan. Since Partition the Population of Quetta has increased dramatically. Because of its military base and trading activities, and the introduction of commercial fruit farming, Quetta District can now support about half a million people. Quetta, before the devastating earth-quake of 31 May, 1935, was a bright and bustling city with multi storeyed buildings. It was almost completely destroyed in this earthquake and was virtually razed to the ground in the small hours of the morning of that fateful day, when about 40,000 people perished. Today, houses are generally single storey and quake proof, built with bricks and reinforced concrete. The structure is generally of lighter material. Incidentally, the bricks of Quetta have a yellowish tinge unlike the red variety of Sindh and the Punjab (Pakistan).

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Demography and Society

Quetta has a population of more than 2 million. The city is dominated by a Pashtun majority and a Balochi minority with an eclectic smattering of smaller groups. Pushto, Balochi, Persian (Hazaragi dialect), Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi and Urdu languages are spoken in large parts of Quetta, giving the city a very multicultural feel.

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Culture

Quetta tribesmen are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Making visitors comfortable is an integral part of their local traditions. The main bazaar on Jinnah Road is full of Pathan traders wearing huge turbans, Baluchi hawkers with red embroidered caps, and full-skirted nomad women carrying bundles of imported cloth for sale.

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Educational institutions

Quetta has many higher education institutions. The prestigious military Command and Staff College, which was founded by the British, recently celebrated its hundredth anniversary. University of Balochistan was established in 1974. The Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences is also located in Quetta.

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Sites of interest

Quetta is a major tourist attraction for tourists from abroad. It is advertised as a thrilling location, full of adventure and enjoyment. Some prominent bazaars of Quetta are located on the roads Shahrah-e-Iqbal (the Kandahari Bazaar) and Shahrah-e-Liaquat (the Liaquat and Suraj Gang Bazaars),Alamdar road(little Tokyo) and Hazara town. Here, tourists can find colorful handcrafted art, particularly the Balochi mirror work embroidery,Hazaragi Chapal, Hazaragi Carpet, which is admired all over the world. For those interested in local cuisine, there are many sumptuous dishes to feast upon. The "Sajji" (leg of lamb),Hazaragi Aash, Mantho is said to be very good by locals. Small and clean hotels in Alamdar road is the real comfort for tourists in peaceful environments. Pishin Valley About 50 km, from Quetta is the valley of Pishin, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of vineyards and orchards, made by boring holes into rocks to bring to the surface the deep water. The rich harvest of apples, grapes, plums, peaches and apricots is loaded at Yaru railway station, seven miles from Pishin.

The Hanna Lake nestles in the hills ten kilometer (six miles) east of Quetta, a startling turquoise pool within bare brown surroundings. There is a lakeside restaurant with picnic tables shaded by pine trees. At one end, the irrigation dam rises out of the depths like battlements of a fort. It is very attractive for holiday makers, are crowded with hikers and campers in holidays. You can hire a boat and paddle on the lake and round the island in the middle.

The Urak Tandi Valley which is to the left of the Hanna Lake for two kilometer(one mile) away, and right for the eight-kilometer (five-mile), there is another picnic spot

Bund Khushdil Khan located 16 km from Pishin is the man made lake Bund Khushdil Khan.

Places to stay

Serena Hotel
Lourdes Hotel
Islamabad Hotel
Qaser-e-Gul
Sheer
Zulfiqar

Mauxton
Fabes
Deluxe
Marina
Bloom Star
Muslim
Faran

Places to Eat

Tabaq
Leheri Sajji
Farah House
Baldia
Lal Kabab
Cafe China
Usmania

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Sports

People of Quetta are huge football fans. This city has produced more renowned footballers then any other part of Pakistan. Football is still widely played in Quetta. "Mali Bagh" is the famous foot ball ground. The famous footballers include Qayum Changezi, Taj Muhammad Senior and Taj Muhammad Junior. The most famous football clubs in Quetta are Hazara Foorball Club, Baluch Foorball Club and Afghan Foorball Club. The boxers of Quetta have earned world recognition for Pakistan. The main Olympean boxers are Syed Ibrar Ali Shah, Asghar Ali Changezi and Haider Ali Changezi.

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Transport

Image:Quetta map.jpg Although Quetta is on the western edge of Pakistan, is well connected with the country by a wide network of roads, railways and airways. Quetta is connected to Lahore by a 727 mile long railway line. Similarly it is also connected by railways with Peshawar (986 miles away) and Karachi, which is 536 miles away. Many Internet Service Providers and almost all major mobile phone companies are operating in Quetta.

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