The Provinces Of Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Overview

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, which are its primary administrative divisions. Each province is made up of several districts or over 1,000 villages. The country's external borders have remained almost unchanged throughout the 20th century, but its internal division into provinces has changed frequently, with a tendency to create more provinces over time. The provinces of Afghanistan include Badakhshan, Badghis, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Urozgan, and Zabul.

Afghanistan has 34 provinces, including Kabul, Herat, Balkh, and Kandahar

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, which are the primary administrative divisions. Each province is further divided into districts, each consisting of several villages.

The four largest cities in Afghanistan are located in the following provinces: Kabul, Herat, Balkh, and Kandahar.

Kabul, the country's largest city, is located in the east of the country and has a population of about 4.5 million people (12% of the country's population). Herat, in the northwest, has a population of 1.9 million. Balkh, in the north, has a population of 1.3 million. Kandahar, in the south, has a population of 1.2 million.

The provinces of Afghanistan each have their own governor. The role of these governors has been critical in the reconstruction of the Afghan state.

Historically, Afghanistan started out with just four provinces: Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. Over time, others were added, including Daykundi and Panjshir in 2001.

The country's external borders have remained almost unchanged in the 20th century

Afghanistan's external borders have remained almost unchanged in the 20th century. However, the country's internal divisions have changed frequently, with a tendency to create more provinces over the years.

Afghanistan's history is shared with that of neighbouring Iran, central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The country's strategic location along the historic Silk Road has led it to be described as the 'roundabout of the ancient world'.

The land has been home to various peoples and has witnessed numerous military campaigns, including those by the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Maurya Empire, Arab Muslims, the Mongols, the British, the Soviet Union, and most recently by a US-led coalition.

The Durrani Empire is considered to be the foundational polity of the modern nation-state of Afghanistan, with Ahmad Shah Durrani being credited as its Father of the Nation. However, Dost Mohammad Khan is sometimes considered to be the founder of the first modern Afghan state.

During the 19th century, Afghanistan was caught up in the Anglo-Russian power struggle known as 'The Great Game'. Britain tried to bring Afghanistan under direct rule, but suffered a resounding defeat in the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42). The imperial power tried again in 1878-80; this time, Afghanistan lost much territory and control of its external affairs to Britain.

In the 20th century, Afghanistan continued to be a pawn in struggles over political ideology and commercial influence. In the last quarter of the century, Afghanistan suffered the ruinous effects of civil war, greatly exacerbated by a military invasion and occupation by the Soviet Union (1979-89). In subsequent armed struggles, a surviving Afghan communist regime held out against Islamic insurgents (1989-92), and following a brief rule by mujahideen groups, an austere movement of religious students—the Taliban—rose up against the country's governing parties and warlords and established a theocratic regime (1996-2001) that soon fell under the influence of a group of well-funded Islamists led by an exiled Saudi Arabian, Osama bin Laden.

The Taliban regime collapsed in December 2001 in the wake of a sustained U.S.-dominated military campaign aimed at the Taliban and fighters of bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization. Soon thereafter, anti-Taliban forces agreed to a period of transitional leadership and an administration that would lead to a new constitution and the establishment of a democratically elected government.

Provinces are the primary administrative divisions, with each encompassing several districts or villages

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, which are the primary administrative divisions. Each province is further divided into districts, with each district typically encompassing several villages.

Historically, Afghanistan started out with only four provinces: Kabul, Herat, Qandahar, and Balkh. However, over time, the number of provinces increased, and the country's administrative divisions have changed frequently.

The addition of new provinces and the reorganisation of existing ones continued into the 21st century, with Daykundi and Panjshir becoming the newest provinces in 2001.

The provinces vary in terms of geographical size and population. For example, Badakhshan, a northeastern province, covers an area of 44,059 square kilometres and has a population of 1,072,785 people. In contrast, Kabul, an eastern province, has a much smaller area of 4,523 square kilometres but a significantly larger population of 5,385,526 people.

Each province typically has its own governor, who plays a critical role in the country's governance and administration.

As of 2016, there were 401 districts recognised across Afghanistan, with each district containing numerous villages. The number of villages per district can vary significantly, ranging from a few dozen to over a thousand.

The districts are further subdivided into wuleswalis (districts), alaqadaries (sub-districts), and markaz-e-wulaiyat (provincial centre districts).

The Afghan government issued its first district map in 1973, recognising 325 districts at the time. Since then, additional districts have been created through splits, and some have been merged or eliminated.

The country's Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) work together to consolidate lists of Afghan districts, which are then used by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) for election preparations.

The number of provinces has increased over time, starting with Kabul, Herat, Qandahar, and Balkh

Afghanistan's history is rich and complex, with the number of provinces changing over time. Initially, Afghanistan consisted of just four provinces: Kabul, Herat, Qandahar, and Balkh. However, as time progressed, the number of provinces increased, reflecting the dynamic nature of the region's political landscape.

By 1880, Afghanistan had expanded to include additional provinces such as Ghazni, Jalalabad, and Kabul. This growth continued into the 20th century, with the creation of new provinces and changes in administrative boundaries. In 1964, several provinces, including the Southern Province, Turkestan Province, and Qataghan-Badakhshan Province, were dissolved and reorganised into new administrative units.

The process of provincial evolution continued, and by the early 21st century, Afghanistan had reached its current structure of 34 provinces. This reorganisation reflected the need to effectively govern a diverse and populous country. Each province is further divided into districts, encompassing numerous villages, with provincial governors playing a pivotal role in Afghanistan's governance.

The evolution of Afghanistan's provinces illustrates the country's dynamic history and the ongoing efforts to establish effective administrative divisions. The changes in provincial boundaries have shaped the country's political landscape and continue to impact the lives of Afghans today.

The two newest provinces are Daikondi and Panjshir, with populations of 127,661 and 307,620, respectively

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, with the two newest being Daikondi and Panjshir. Daikondi was established on March 28, 2004, when it was separated from the northern districts of Uruzgan Province. Daikondi is located in the central part of the country and has a population of about 516,504, with a 2019 estimate of 431,300. The province is dominated by the Hazara ethnic group, who make up around 86% of the population.

Panjshir, on the other hand, became an independent province in 2004 when it was separated from neighbouring Parwan Province. Located in the northeast of Afghanistan, Panjshir has a population of about 173,000. The province is home to Afghanistan's largest concentration of ethnic Tajiks, who form the majority of the population.

Daikondi and Panjshir are among the least affected by conflict-driven violence in Afghanistan. However, both provinces have experienced Taliban infiltration attempts, with Panjshir becoming a hub for anti-Taliban resistance forces following the Fall of Kabul in 2021.

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