History
The name Quetta originates from the Pashtoo word Kwatta which means a fort. In the beginning, the town was situated within the walls of fort “A Miri” which is now used as an arsenal. The district is bounded on the north by district Pishin; on the east by Ziarat; on the south by Mastung and on the west by district Killa Abdullah.
In 1883, Quetta was formed into a separate single administrative unit (Quetta – Pishin district). Due to its geo-strategic importance, the British built Quetta as a garrison town. They extended the roads and railway network to Afghanistan and Iran. This situation remained unchanged till the partition of the Sub-continent in 1947.
Under the one-unit system from 1955 to 1970, Quetta and Kalat were the administrative units in West Pakistan. After abolishing the unitary system, Quetta was declared as Capital of Balochistan. Till 1975, Quetta and Pishin were a single administrative unit. In that year Pishin was declared a separate district.
Geo Location: 30 11 56 N,67 00 34 E
Climate: Dry and Temperate
Elevation: 5500 ft
Rainfall: 8.38 in
Humidity: 15-30 %
Winds: Moderately windy, 19 km/h
Topography: Predominantly Mountainous
Geographical Location: located in northern Balochistan near Pak- Afghan border and the road across to Kandahar. North Pishin, west Afghanistan, East by Ziarat and Harnai, South by Mastung and Noshki
- Most important military location in Pakistan.
- Trade centre for Afghanistan, Iran and much of Central Asia.
- Area: 2,653 Sq. Km
- Population: 2275668 ( Census 2017)
- No. of Tehsils: 4 ( City, Sadder, Kuchlak and Sariab)
- Economy: Agriculture, Horticulture & Trade
- Major Language: Balochi, Pashto, Brahvi, Urdu, Panjabi
- Religion: 99% of the people of the area are Muslims
- Major Tribes: Pashtoon, Baloch, Hazara, Punjabi and others
- International Highway: 119 Km N-25 Pak-Afghan border
