Balochistan (Balochi: ) or Afghan Baluchistan is an arid, mountainous region that includes part of southern and southwestern Afghanistan. It extends into southeastern Iran and western Pakistan and is named after the Baloch people.

Geography

Northern Balochistan/Afghan Balochistan is Nimroz Province, south of Helmand Province and Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

History

The Baloch are an ethnic group that numbers around 200,000 in Afghanistan. The main Baloch areas located in Balochistan province in Pakistan and Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran. Many also live in southern Afghanistan, the Baloch are Muslim. The Baloch population in Afghanistan number approximately 600,000 of which 400,000 are Balochi speakers and 200,000 Brahui speakers. The majority of the Baluch people live in southern Afghanistan. The Balochi speakers are mostly settled in Nimruz Province. The Brahui speakers mainly inhabit Kandahar Province. In Helmand, the Balochi and Brahui-speaking Baloch intermingle. Baloch in other parts of Afghanistan speak Pashto and Dari.