Princess of Hope

Princess of Hope

The Princess of Hope is a natural rock formation located in Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan. This formation, resembling a woman, is a prime example of the park's surreal rocky landscape and fascinating rock formations. The rock formation was named by American actress Angelina Jolie on her visit to Hingol. Hingol National Park was designated as a protected area in 1988, is famous for its distinctive landscape and biodiversity. The park, located in Lasbela, Gwadar, and Awaran districts, covers 6,190 km² (619,043 hectares), making it Pakistan's second-largest national park. The park was named after the Hingol River.

The Princess of Hope is a 'hoodoo', a type of rock formation also known as a fairy chimney or earth pyramid. Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and badlands. These elongated rock formations are the result of the erosion and weathering processes, that have sculpted them over millions of years. Hingol National Park's unusual geology and  environmental erosive forces have formed this remarkable rock formation, as well as countless other rocky features which attract both photographers and tourists.

The rock formation gained its name from Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who visited Pakistan in 2002 as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. During her visit to Hingol National Park, she named this rock formation 'Princess of Hope', as it resembled a statue of a woman standing. Since then, the rock formation is known by the same name.

Not far from the Princess of Hope stands another fascinating natural rock formation known as the 'Balochistan Sphinx', also referred to as the 'Lion of Balochistan'. This formation resembles the famous 'Sphinx of Giza' in Egypt, adding to the park's reputation for having some of the most remarkable rock formations in the world. The Balochistan Sphinx, like the Princess of Hope, is a result of the same geological and erosive processes that have shaped the park's landscape over millions of years.

Princess of Hope at Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park is a National park located in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, and is distinguished by its distinctive and dramatic rocky topography. It is situated on the Makran Coastal Highway that links Karachi to Gwadar, and covers an area of 6,190 km² (619,043 hectares), making it the second largest national park in Pakistan. Hingol National Park is a favorite destination for tourists, especially photographers, due to its diverse geology and unique scenery.

Hingol National Park is famous for Rock formations

Hingol National Park comprises several distinct ecosystems and has a varied landscape. In the north, the park includes an arid subtropical forest, while the western portion features dry, mountainous terrain. To the south, the park is bound by the coastline of the Arabian sea. Along the coast, Hingol includes caves, beaches, and a marine ecological zone home to dolphins, sea turtles, and mangroves.Hingol National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, with at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 185 species of birds.The park's estuary, the area where the Hingol River flows into the Arabian Sea, supports a variety of threatened fish, birds, and crocodiles and forms a habitat for these animals.

Princess of Hope, Hingol National Park

Hingol's beautiful landscape, coupled with biodiversity has led to its inclusion in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.