The most famous cities of Afghanistan

In Central Asia, a relatively small state is located, the history of which goes back to ancient times. It was part of the Persian Empire, saw Alexander the Great, was part of the Seleucid state, joined the Greco-Bactrian kingdom, and was part of the Parthian and Kushan imre. The state was a kingdom, and a kingdom, and an emirate, and a republic. The inhabitants of this mountainous country rarely had peace periods, so they say that they are born with weapons in their hands.

cities of Afghanistan

It is believed that Afghanistan is today the poorest and most dangerous country in our world. There is no access to quality medicine, there is no normal education, it is impossible to develop international tourism. But terrorism and opium production flourish. Those who, out of interest or by necessity, are ready to visit this dangerous country, it is advisable to get to know the cities and towns of Afghanistan in advance. The list of the largest settlements includes:

  • Kabul.
  • Kandahar.
  • Herat.
  • Jalalabad.
  • Mazar-e-Sharif.

Let us consider in more detail the features of these cities.

Kabul

Kabul is a very ancient city. The date of its foundation is 1504. The city was founded by the Mongol emperor Babur. Built on the banks of the Kabul River. An accurate estimation of the population has not been carried out for many years; according to 2006, it is about 616 thousand people. The city is the capital of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan all cities of the country

Once in Kabul, foreigners realize that even the large cities of Afghanistan suffer from poverty and lawlessness. In many areas of the capital, there are still clay one-story houses in which there is no electricity and water supply. The old five-story buildings built during the Soviet occupation are considered elite housing here. But this is the largest city in the country.

Of course, not all cities in Afghanistan have airports. Kabul could be a happy exception. A major airport is considered one of the attractions of the city. It was built at the expense of the Soviet Union for the adoption of international tourist flights. But the flow of tourists did not appear. In 1979, a civil war broke out in the country. In 1992, the airport came under the control of the Mujahideen, and in 2011 it was destroyed by US aircraft. Today, part of the airport is restored and accepts international flights. Several airlines fly here.

In Kabul, you can visit the Darul-Aman Palace, the Taj Beck Palace, the mosques of Abdul Rahman and Eid Gah. On the outskirts of Afghanistan’s largest city, the National Museum is open. You can also visit the historical park Gardens of Babur and bazaars.

Kandahar

Kandahar is much older than Kabul. Date of foundation - 330 BC In those days, it was called Alexandria in honor of Alexander the Great. The city was inhabited mainly by the ancestors of modern Pashtuns. For some time the city was the capital. Today, the population of this city of Afghanistan is almost 492 thousand people. He is the second largest in the country.

Afghanistan cities list

Kandahar is the center of local trade. There are four large bazaars overlooking the historic square of Char Souk. The mosque of the Prophet's Hair was built on the same square. On another square of the second largest city in Afghanistan - Shahidan Chowk - the monument to the Fallen rises.

Another attraction of Kandahar is the Mausoleum of the founder of the state, Ahmad Shah Durrani. Next to him is a mosque that stores a particle of the cloak of the prophet. But tourists are not allowed into the mosque. This entrance is open only to Muslims.

Near Kandahar you can visit the excavations of the Bronze Age settlement. There is something to watch for history buffs.

Herat

Not rich, but ancient Afghanistan is mysterious. All cities of the country bear the imprint of a long history. Herat, the third most populated city, was no exception. More than 436 thousand people live here. The city was built in the valley of the Gerirud River (north-west of Afghanistan).

major cities of Afghanistan

In ancient times, Herat stood on the Great Silk Road. In the time of Alexander the Great, he bore the name Alexandria Ariana. Of the sights here, the citadel of the times of Alexander the Great, which was partially reconstructed in 2011, the Mausoleum of Gaukhar-shad, the Cathedral Mosque of Juma Masjid and the remains of the minarets from the Musalla architectural ensemble, have been preserved.

Mazar-i-Sharif

This city is different from others. Poverty and lawlessness are not visible here. Mazar-i-Sharif maintain order and cleanliness. The name of the city can be translated as "a magnificent tomb." The main pearl of the city is the architectural ensemble of Rosie Sharif. This translates as the Blue Mosque. There is a legend that the caliph Ali was buried in this mosque, and then his body was stolen and reburied in Nejef (Iraq). The mosque complex is a place of worship for Shiites.

According to the population, this city statistics puts in third place. Although more than 600 thousand people live here.

cities of Afghanistan

Jalalabad

Jalalabad is another beautiful ancient city of Afghanistan. Here are the remains of ancient Buddhist shrines of the l-Vll centuries. Today, the city is considered a transport and trade distribution point for agricultural products to Kabul. The population here is a little over 168 thousand.

This city can be very interesting for tourists, but the place can hardly be called safe. Here was the largest transit point of the Mujahideen. In the mountains there is a whole network of tunnels and bunkers filled with ammunition.

Afghanistan all cities of the country

The country of Afghanistan is amazing and contradictory. The cities listed in this article have clearly seen better times. One could tell more about Kunduz, Puli-Khumri, Meimen, but the residue of bitterness from this will not disappear. It is impossible to build a comfortable life, knowing only how to destroy ...

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/C694/


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