Quetta

                   The city is the divisional and district headquarters and is an important marketing and communications centre at the north end of the Shal Valley about 5,500 ft (1,675 m) above sea level. It is the southernmost point in a line of frontier posts and in the system of strategic roads and railways near the northwest (Afghanistan) border. Commanding the Bolan and Khojak passes, Quetta was occupied by the British in 1876; a residency was founded by Sir Robert Sandeman, and the town developed around its strongly garrisoned army station. Incorporated as a municipality in 1896, its Army Command and Staff College was opened in 1907. A violent earthquake partially destroyed the city in May 1935, with a loss of 20,000 lives. Now a market centre for western Afghanistan, eastern Iran, and part of Central Asia, its industries include cotton mills, a sulfur refinery, coke briquetting plants, a thermal power station, and fruit canneries. The city is the site of a geophysical institute, the Geological Survey of Pakistan, Sandeman Library, and two government colleges affiliated with the University of Peshawar. The University of Baluchistan was established at Quetta in 1970. The city is also an important summer resort.

                   Quetta district is bounded north by Pishin district, west by Afghanistan, east by Sibi district, and south by Kalat and Chagai districts. Physically it comprises a series of long valleys 4,500-5,500 ft above sea level enclosed by the Central Brahui range in the south and drained by the Pishin Lora River and its tributaries. Its climate is dry and temperate and suitable for valley cultivation of grapes, peaches, plums, apricots, apples, almonds, pears, and pomegranates. Wheat, barley, and corn (maize) are common crops; juniper and pistachio forests abound. Horse breeding is widespread. Felts, rugs, silk embroidery, and copper vessels are local handicrafts.

         Quetta division (area 53,115 sq mi), constituted in 1955, comprises the districts Quetta, Pishin, Zhob, Loralai, Sibi, and Chagai. Mostly mountainous, it is bounded east by the Sulaiman Range and north by the Toba Kakar Range, separating it from Afghanistan. South of Chaman (near the Afghan border) are the Khawaja Amran and Sarl Ath ranges. Across the former lies the famous Khojak Pass with the Shelabagh railway tunnel piercing 2.5 mi (4 km) of solid rock. From Nushki (southwest of Quetta city) to Dalbandin (southwest of Nushki), the division consists of a sandy level plain; and farther west beyond Dalbandin, Chagai district is mainly desert. The Zhob and Pishin Lora are the chief rivers. Rainfall is scarce, cultivation depending mostly on irrigation from karezes (underground channels) in the submontane area, springs and streams in the highlands, and wells in parts of Sibi Plain. Wheat is the main rabi' (spring) crop, jowar (sorghum) is the chief kharif (autumn) crop in the plains and corn (maize) in the highlands. Potato growing is also increasing. Coking coal is mined at Khost in Sibi and in the Sor Range east of Quetta city. Chromite, sulfur, marble, and gypsum deposits are also worked. Pop. (1981 prelim.) city, 285,800; metropolitan area, 373,000; district, 380,000; division, 1,625,000.