Kabul (Pashto/Dari: کابل, Kâbol) is the capital of Afghanistan as well as its largest city, located in the eastern section of the country. According to latest estimates, the population of the city is about 4.6 million, which includes all the major ethnic groups. Rapid urbanization had made Kabul the world's 64th largest city and the fifth fastest-growing city in the world.
Kabul is said to be over 3,500 years old, mentioned since at least the time of the Achaemenid Empire. The city is at a strategic location along the trade routes of South and Central Asia, and a key location of the ancient Silk Road. It has been part of the Achaemenids, Seleucids, Mauryans, Kushans, Kabul Shahis, Saffarids, Ghaznavids, and Ghurids. Later, it was controlled by the Mughal Empire until finally becoming part of the Durrani Empire in 1747. The city is located high up in a narrow valley between the Hindu Kush mountains.
Kabul became the capital of Afghanistan during the reign of Timur Shah Durrani (reigned 1772–1793), the son of Ahmad Shah Durrani. In the early 19th century, the British occupied the city but were compelled to abandon it. Relations between Afghanistan and Great Britain were later established.
The city of Kabul is one of the 15 districts of Kabul Province, which is divided into 22 city districts. Each city district covers several neighborhoods.
Geography[]
Kabul serves as the nation's cultural and learning center, situated 5,876 feet (1,791 meters) above sea level in a narrow valley, wedged between the Hindu Kush mountains along the Kabul River. It is linked with Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif via the circular Highway 1 that stretches across Afghanistan. It is also the start of the main road to Jalalabad and further to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Kabul International Airport is located about 9.9 miles (15.93 kilometers) from the center of the city, next to the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood. Bagram Airbase is about 25 miles (40.23 kilometers) northeast of Kabul.
Climate[]
Kabul has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with precipitation concentrated in the winter (almost exclusively falling as snow) and spring months. Temperatures are relatively cool compared to much of Southwest Asia, mainly due to the high elevation of the city. Summer has very low humidity, providing relief from the heat. Autumn features warm afternoons and sharply cooler evenings. Winters are cold, with a January daily average of −2.3 °C (27.9 °F). Spring is the wettest time of the year, though temperatures are generally amiable. Sunny conditions dominate year-round. The annual mean temperature is 12.1 °C (53.8 °F).
Sister/Twin Cities[]
Kazan, Soviet Union
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
