Baluchistan (region)
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Balochistan بلوچستان |
|
|---|---|
| Region | |
 Balochistan region in pink |
|
| Countries | Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | c. 18-19 million |
| Demographics | |
| • Ethnic groups |
Baloch (Balochi, Brahui, Saraiki, Bashkardi & Lasi or Jadgali speaking) Pashtun |
| Largest cities |
Quetta Zahedan Pasni Chabahar Gwadar Zaranj |
Balochistan (Balochi: بلوچستان; also Baluchistan, often interpreted as the Land of the Baloch) is an arid desert and mountainous region in south-western Asia. It comprises the Pakistani province of Balochistan, Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, and the southern areas of Afghanistan including Nimruz, Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Balochistan borders the Pashtun region to the north, Sindh to the east, Punjab to the northeast, and Persian regions to the west and northwest. South of its southern coastline, including the Makran Coast, are the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
The name Balochistan is generally believed to derive from that of the Baloch people, but this is not certain. The term "Baloch" does not appear in pre-Islamic sources. It is likely that the Balochs were known by some other name at their place of origin and acquired the name "Baloch" after arriving in Balochistan sometime in the 10th century. The Suffix "-stān" is a Persian word meaning "place".
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Wikipedia