Characteristics of the city
Quetta is a Pakistani city, capital of the province of Baluchistan. The majority of the population of Quetta comes from the Pashtun tribes, an Indo-European people. The city is a strategic point for trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Special event wants to increase tourism in Pakistan.
Number of inhabitants
Quetta has approximately 896,090 inhabitants (2010 estimate).
History
Quetta was established in the 600s. During the 7th century, Muslims invaded the locality. Between 1543 and 1556, it was the Mughals who controlled the territory and the English took over in 1839. It was not until 1876 that this English occupation was officially known. Pakistan gained its independence in the year 1947.
Geography
Quetta is located in the south-western part of Pakistan, near the border area of Afghanistan and at 1654 meters above sea level.
How to get around town?
The city of Quetta offers various modes of transport, bus, taxi, rental car, to choose from.
The bus: a network of buses and minibuses crisscrossed Quetta and its neighbouring towns. The buses have a nice decoration. The Highway Code is not always respected and the buses are sometimes overcrowded.
Taxi: Quetta offers travellers yellow or black taxis and rickshaws.
Car rental: many international companies have a counter in Quetta.
What to see?
· The city of Quetta has many sights to see.
· Tourists will mainly visit the Archaeological Museum (an ancient collection of weapons, swords, manuscripts) and the Geological Museum
· Lake Hanna (surrounded by mountains and offering a magnificent panorama) will also attract visitors.
What to do?
· Go shopping in the many markets and bazaars of the city (Shahrah-e-Iqbal, Kandahari Bazaar and Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Liaquat Bazaar).
· Take a walk in Hazarganji Chiltan National Park.
Purchases?
Copper and silver jewelry, cashmere shawls, carved wooden objects, handmade wool rugs, wool kaftans.
Local cuisine and recipe (s)
The dishes: Sajji (roast lamb's foot); Chicken Kahari (thick soup made with chicken, onions, ginger, peppers and lemon); Rice pudding with coconut milk; Samoussa (triangle-shaped dough filled with spiced vegetables or meat); Pakora (fried donut with eggplant and apples); Chicken Tikka (skewers marinated in pink spices).
Desserts: Gajar Ka Halva (made from carrot, milk and cardamom compote); Mango lassi (made from yogurt, mango and brown sugar),
What to see in the region?
In the vicinity of Quetta, various tourist sites are to be seen.
The Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (the founder of Pakistan), the Pakistan Air Force Museum, the Masjid e Tooba Mosque (erected in 1969), the Clock Merewether Tower (a colonial construction erected in 1884) and the St. Patrick in the city of Karachi; the Fort of Hazuri Bagh Square, the Moti Masjid (mosque erected in the 17th century), the Shalimar Gardens, the Badshahi Mosque (the Emperor's mosque built in 1671) and the Palace in the city of Lahore; Shah Faisal Mosque (the 6th largest mosque in the world), Tomb of Bari Imam, Golra Sharif (place of pilgrimage) in the city of Islamabad.
Health?
Take your European health insurance card with you. You can request it from your fund two weeks before the scheduled departure date. For read more click on special event.