The Elusive Distance To Kandahar: Unraveling Afghanistan's Complex Geography

Kandahar, also known as Qandahar, is a city in Afghanistan, located in the south of the country on the Arghandab River. It is the second-largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 614,118. It is the capital of Kandahar Province and the centre of the larger cultural region called Loy Kandahar. The city is located approximately 424 km from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Kandahar is located in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan

Kandahar has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. It is one of the oldest known human settlements, with archaeological evidence suggesting that a major fortified city existed at the site as early as 1000-750 BC. The region was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, who founded what is now known as Old Kandahar. The city was a frequent target for conquest due to its strategic location along trade routes connecting Southern, Central, and Western Asia.

Kandahar is known for its cultural significance, particularly for the Pashtuns, who have considered it their traditional seat of power for over 300 years. The city is also a major trading centre for various agricultural products and has a well-developed transportation infrastructure. It serves as a regional hub in southern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan.

In recent decades, Kandahar has been at the centre of political conflicts and military interventions. It was a key location during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s and later became the headquarters of the Taliban movement in the 1990s. The city has witnessed heavy fighting, insurgency, and efforts to establish stability in the region.

It is Afghanistan's second-largest city, with a population of about 614,118

Kandahar is Afghanistan's second-largest city, with a population of about 614,118. It is located in the south of the country on the Arghandab River, at an elevation of 1,010 m (3,310 ft). The city is the capital of Kandahar Province and the centre of the larger cultural region called Loy Kandahar.

Kandahar is one of the most culturally significant cities of the Pashtuns and has been their traditional seat of power for more than 300 years. It is a major trading centre for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, food grains, fruits, tobacco, and more. The region is known for producing fine fruits, especially pomegranates and grapes.

Kandahar is also one of the oldest known human settlements. A major fortified city existed at the site of Kandahar as early as c. 1000–750 BC, and it became an important outpost of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in the 6th century BC. The city was invaded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC and was named Alexandria in Arachosia.

Today, Kandahar is a regional hub in southern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan. The city has well-developed transportation infrastructure, with most roads capable of carrying car traffic throughout the year. Telecommunication services are provided by major networks such as AWCC, Roshan, and MTN.

Kandahar International Airport serves as southern Afghanistan's main airport for domestic and international flights. Pakistan also plans to build a railroad track from the Pakistani town of Chaman to Kandahar, connecting Afghan Railways with Pakistan Railways.

The city is located on the Arghandab River, at an elevation of 1,010 m (3,310 ft)

Kandahar is located on the Arghandab River in Afghanistan, at an elevation of 1,010 m (3,310 ft). The Arghandab River is approximately 400 km (250 mi) in length and rises in the Ghazni Province, west of the city of Ghazni. It flows southwest, passing near Kandahar, before joining the Helmand River 30 km (19 mi) below the town of Grishk. The river is used for irrigation in its lower course, under the control of the Helmand and Arghandab Valley Authority, and the valley is cultivated and populous. The ancient Arachotus may refer to the Arghandab River or its main confluent, the Tarnak River, which joins it on the left 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Kandahar.

The Arghandab River flows through the Arghandab District in the central part of Kandahar Province. The district is known as "the gateway to Kandahar" and is irrigated by the Helmand and Arghandab Valley Authority. The Arghandab Alikozai tribe ruled the district in 2007, led by the mujahideen commander, Mullah Naqib. The Arghandab Valley is a key location for controlling southern Afghanistan.

Kandahar is a major trading centre for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, food grains, fruits, and tobacco

Kandahar has been a frequent target for conquest due to its strategic location along trade routes in southern, central, and western Asia. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC and has been a significant outpost since the 6th century BC.

The region surrounding Kandahar is well-known for its agricultural produce, particularly fruits like pomegranates and grapes. The city has plants for canning, drying, and packing fruit, and also serves as a major source of marijuana and hashish.

Kandahar's status as a major trading centre is further enhanced by its transportation infrastructure. The city has an international airport, and roads connect it to other major cities like Kabul, Herat, and Quetta.

Historically, Kandahar has been an important political area for Afghanistan, serving as the capital of the Afghan Empire under Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747. The city is also the founding city and spiritual centre of the Taliban.

In addition to its economic significance, Kandahar is known for its rich history and cultural significance, particularly for the Pashtuns, who have considered it their traditional seat of power for over 300 years.

The city has a hot semi-arid climate with little precipitation and high temperature variation

Kandahar, Afghanistan, has a hot semi-arid climate with little precipitation and high temperature variation. The city experiences a substantial diurnal temperature range, with daytime highs and overnight lows differing by 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is due to the lack of cloud cover, which allows heat to escape quickly after sunset and encourages the land to warm up rapidly each morning.

Summers in Kandahar are oppressively hot, with an average high temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit in July, the hottest month of the year. The constant sunshine causes exposed skin to burn quickly and increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. Summer is also the driest season, with virtually no rain falling between May and October. Nighttime brings some relief, with lows in the low 70s.

Contrary to what one might expect, winters in Kandahar are not hot. High temperatures in January, the coldest month, average in the mid-50s, and overnight lows can drop to the low 30s. Winter is the most humid time of year, and most of the region's precipitation falls between late December and early April. January is the wettest month, with an average of about 2 inches of precipitation, usually in the form of rain, although it sometimes snows at night.

Spring and autumn in Kandahar have more moderate temperatures and lower humidity. Spring, from March to May, sees temperatures rising steadily, with May experiencing highs in the 90s and lows in the 50s and 60s. Autumn, from September to November, sees a gradual drop in temperatures, starting from highs in the 90s in September and falling to the 60s and 70s by November.

Overall, Kandahar's climate is characterised by extreme temperatures, low precipitation, and high variation between summer and winter. Its weather is fairly predictable, as it is not influenced by tropical storms, blizzards, or mid-latitude low-pressure systems.

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