Balochistan, the largest of the four provinces of Pakistan, spreads over an area
of 347,190 Sq, Kms., forming 43.6 per cent of the total area of Pakistan. It has
clustered population and is smallest in proportion as compared to that of other
provinces. Its population, according to 1998 census, is xx million, having a low
density per square kilometer. Physically, Balochistan is an extensive plateau of
rough terrain divided into basins by ranges of sufficient heights and ruggedness.
Broadly, Balochistan geographic area can be divided in to four distinct zones: Upper
high lands, lower high lands, plains, and deserts.
The upper highlands, known locally as Khorasan, rise as high as 3,700 meters, with
valley floors about 1,500 meters above sea levels.
The highlands include Makran, Kharan and Chaghi ranges in the West and Sulaiman,
Pab, Kirther in the east. The Upper High Lands fall mainly in districts Zhob, Killa
Saifullah, Pishin, Quetta, Ziarat and Kalat. It comprises a number of ranges such
as Sulaiman, TobakKakari, Murdar, Zarghoon, Takatu, and Chiltan ranges.
The Lower High Lands have an altitude ranging from 1970 to 3940 ft (600 to 1200
M). They are located in the south-eastern Balochistan, except eastern part of Kachi,
the southern end of Dera Bugti and Nasirabad districts. Some are extension of lower
high lands that exist at boundaries of Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Kharan and Chaghi
districts.
Balochistan has relatively small area of plains as compared to its total land area.
They include the Kachi plain, situated to the south of Sibi and extending into Nasirabad
Division, the southern part of Dera Bugti district, and narrow plain area along
the Mekran coast stretching from Kachi to the Iranian border. The plains of Kachi,
Las Bela and that of river Dasht cover sizable area. Mountains dominate the terrain,
and valley floors, and piedmont plain make up only 15% of the landscape.