The Strategic Significance Of Kandahar In Afghanistan's South

Kandahar is a city in Afghanistan, located in the south or south-central region of the country on the Arghandab River. It is the second-largest city in Afghanistan after Kabul, 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. It is considered to be an economic and political hub of Afghanistan and has always played a major role in the country's history.

Kandahar is the second-largest city in Afghanistan

Kandahar is a major trading centre for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, felt, food grains, dried fruit, fresh fruit (including pomegranates and grapes), and tobacco. The region is known for producing fine fruits, and the city has plants for canning, drying, and packing fruit. It is also a major source of marijuana and hashish.

The city is of great cultural significance to the Pashtuns, who have used it as their traditional seat of power for more than 300 years. Kandahar is also the founding city and spiritual centre of the Taliban. Despite Kabul being the capital of Afghanistan, where the government administration is based, Kandahar is the seat of power as the supreme leader and his spiritual advisers are based there.

Kandahar has a hot semi-arid climate, with extremely dry summers and cool winters. The city is served by Kandahar International Airport, which is used for both domestic and international flights.

It is the capital of Kandahar province

Kandahar is the capital of Kandahar province, and the second-largest city in Afghanistan after Kabul, 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). It is the founding city and spiritual centre of the Taliban.

Kandahar is the regional hub in southern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan. It is considered an economic and political hub of Afghanistan and has always played a major role in the country's history. It is also the historical birthplace of the Taliban movement.

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. The city is surrounded by mountains and has a hot semi-arid climate. It is known for its well-irrigated gardens and orchards, and is famous for its grapes, melons, and pomegranates. The region around Kandahar is one of the oldest known human settlements.

Kandahar has an international airport and a large military base. It is served by the Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport, which is used for civilian and military purposes. The city is also connected by road to Quetta in neighbouring Pakistan.

The city is located on the Arghandab River

The city of Kandahar is located on the Arghandab River in Afghanistan. The river rises in Ghazni Province, west of the city of Ghazni, and flows southwest, passing near the city of Kandahar, before joining the Helmand River. The river is approximately 400km (250mi) in length and is used for irrigation in its lower course. The Arghandab Valley is a key strategic location for controlling southern Afghanistan.

The Arghandab River runs along the west of Kandahar, a city with a population of about 614,118. The city is the capital of Kandahar province and is the second-largest city in Afghanistan after Kabul. Kandahar is considered an economic and political hub and has played a major role in the history of Afghanistan. The city is located at an elevation of about 1,000m (3,297ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains.

The Arghandab River is important for agriculture and irrigation in the region. The valley is cultivated and populous, with the river providing water for crops such as pomegranates, grapes, and Cannabis sativa. The river also has cultural significance, with the ruins of old Kandahar located along its slopes. The river's upper course is relatively unexplored, but it is known for its rugged terrain and fast-flowing waters.

The Arghandab River has also been a site of conflict and military operations. The river's valley was a key strategic location during the Russian occupation and has been a battleground between the Taliban and US-led forces. The difficult terrain and presence of IEDs have made the area a challenging environment for military operations.

Kandahar is a major trading centre for agricultural produce

Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan's economy, and Kandahar has long been viewed as one of the country's agricultural hubs. The province's economy heavily relies on farming, with around 45% of the workforce engaged in the sector.

The majority of Kandahar's population resides in rural districts and is engaged in agricultural endeavours. The region is known for its fertile land and ability to produce fine fruits. The area surrounding the city is irrigated farmland, and food processing is a significant industry.

Kandahar is strategically located along trade routes connecting southern, central, and western Asia. This has made it an important political area and a frequent target for conquest throughout history.

The city is a cultural hub for the Pashtun people

Kandahar is a city in Afghanistan, located in the south of the country on the Arghandab River. It is the second-largest city in Afghanistan after Kabul, 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 a cultural hub for the Pashtun people, who are an Iranian ethnic group primarily residing in northwestern Pakistan and southern and eastern Afghanistan.

Pashtuns are united primarily by a common language, Pashto, and the majority of them adhere to Sunni Islam. They also follow a common social code called Pashtunwali, which governs ethical behaviour and customs. The Pashtun people are spread over a wide geographic area, south of the Amu River and west of the Indus River. They can be found all over Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Kandahar being one of the big cities with a Pashtun majority.

Pashtun culture is based on Pashtunwali, Islam, and the Pashto language. Poetry is an important part of Pashtun culture and has been for centuries. Like other Muslims, Pashtuns celebrate Islamic holidays. Nowruz, however, is celebrated as the Afghan New Year by all Afghan ethnicities, contrary to Pashtuns living in Pakistan.

Pashtun women are known for their modesty and honour, but their lives vary depending on whether they reside in ultra-conservative rural areas or urban centres. The decades of war and the rise of the Taliban have caused considerable hardship for Pashtun women, as many of their rights have been curtailed by a rigid interpretation of Islamic law.

Pashtun performers are avid participants in various physical forms of expression, including dance, sword fighting, and other feats. One of the most common forms of artistic expression is the Attan dance, which has ancient roots. It is a rigorous exercise, performed as musicians play native instruments such as the dhol (drums), tablas (percussions), rubab (a bowed string instrument), and toola (wooden flute).

Pashtun cuisine includes roasted chicken, lamb, and beef, along with Afghani rice dishes, cooked vegetables, and fresh fruits.

Frequently asked questions