[custom_adv] It is a free port on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, and is southernmost city. The sister port city of Gwadar in Pakistan's Balochistan Province is about 170 kilometres (110 mi) to the east of Chabahar. [custom_adv] Chabahar is situated on the Makran Coast of the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran and is officially designated as a Free Trade and Industrial Zone by government. [custom_adv] Due to its free trade zone status, the city has increased in significance in international trade. [custom_adv] The overwhelming majorit neSociety and culture in Chabahar gained its characteristics from the classified tribal community of the Makran region. [custom_adv] In this classification, Chabahar society is divided into superior and inferior tribes. Social structure is hierarchical; at the top of the pyramid are superior tribes locally dubbed as Hakom, independent influential tribes are in the middle, and other inferior weak tribes are at the bottom of the pyramid. [custom_adv] Hakomes are Khans or Sardars, which in Chabahar refers to Sardarzahi and Boledehi tribes. [custom_adv] Hoot and Mir (jadgals) are examples of independent, influential tribes which are at the next higher level in the hierarchy. [custom_adv] There are many tribes in the upper and lower middle level, but at the bottom are former slaves from eastern Africa that have been brought by colonialists and Arab traders, especially Omanis, to the Makran Coastal area. [custom_adv] These tribes are known as Darzada, Nokar, Sheedi and Gholams. [custom_adv] The dominant culture in Chabahar is similar to other parts of Makran.