Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Afghanistan (AF) Summary

Afghanistan (AF) has no major boundary disputes, although its border with Pakistan is considered not to be final. Its area is 647 500 km² and its population was about 23 million (2004 estimate) at the approximate time of the satellite images.

There are 9 entries in the world atlas for Afghanistan (PK), which correspond to statistical divisions made up of multiple provinces. They are enumerated below, with links. Populations in Afghanistan (AF) are poorly known because the last census was in 1979. A census, initially scheduled for 2003, has been postponed to July 2008 due to poor security conditions in the country.

Afghanistan has 34 provinces, which are divided into 371 districts.

Kabul: Kabul, Kapisa, Panjshir, and Parvan.
Jalalabad: Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nurestan.
Ghazni: Ghazni, Khost, Lowgar, Paktia, Paktika, and Vardak.
Kandahar: Farah, Helmand, Kandahar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, and Zabol.
Hazarajat: Bamian and Daikondi.
Herat: Herat, Ghowr, and Badghis.
Mazar-e Sharif: Balkh, Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, and Sar-e Pol.
Qonduz: Baghlan and Qonduz.
Taloqan: Badakhshan and Takhar.

Afghanistan (AF) Kabul Statistical Division


Image: view of Kabul from a hill near downtown.

Summary

Kabul in Kabul province is a major city with an estimated population of 2 000 000. The major towns of Bagrami (50 000) in Kabul Province and Charikar (50 000) in Parvan Province are also in the area.

Detailed Analysis

Kabul statistical division contains the provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Panjshir, and Parvan. Its area is 12 278 km² and its population is about 5 million.

Kabul Province has an area of 4 462 km² and a population of about 3.5 million. This province has 15 districts: Bagrami, Chahar Asyab, Dih Sabz, Farza, Gul Dara, Istalif, Kabul, Kalakan, Khaki Jabar, Mirbacha Kot, Musayi, Paghman, Qara Bagh, Shakar Dara, and Surobi. Kabul (کابل Kaabol) has an area of 115 km² and an estimated population of 2 000 000. Bagrami has an area of 6.8 km² and an estimated population of 50 000.

Kapisa Province has an area of 1 842 km² and a population of about 400 000. This province has 7 districts: Alasay, Hesa Duwum Kohistan, Kohband, Kohistan Hesa Awal, Mahmud Raqi, Nijrab, and Tagab. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Panjshir Province has an area of 3 610 km² and a population of about 180 000. This province has one district, called Hisa-l-Awali Panjshir.

Parvan Province has an area of 5 974 km² and a population of about 800 000. This province has 9 districts: Bagram, Chaharikar, Ghorband, Jabalussaraj, Kohi Safi, Salang, Shekh Ali, Shinwari, and Surkhi Parsa. Charikar (چاریکار Chaarikaar) has an area of 3.9 km² and an estimated population of 50 000.

Afghanistan (AF) Jalalabad Statistical Division

Summary

Jalalabad is a city with a population of 150 000.

Detailed Analysis

Jalalabad statistical division contains the provinces of Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nurestan. Its area is 25 737 km² and its population is about 2.2 million.

Kunar Province has an area of 4 942 km² and a population about 350 000. It has 13 districts: Asad Abad, Bar Kunar, Chapa Dara, Chawkay, Dangam, Dara-i-Pech, Ghaziabad, Khas Kunar, Marwara, Nali, Narang Wa Badil, Nurgal, Shaygal Wa Shiltan, Sirkanay, and Wata Pur. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Laghman Province has an area of 3 843 km² and a population about 400 000. It has 5 districts: Alingar, Alishing, Dawlat Shah, Mihtarlam, and Qarghayi. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Nangarhar Province has an area of 7 727 km² and a population about 1.2 million. It has 21 districts: Achin, Bati Kot, Chaparhar, Dara-i-Nur, Dih Bala, Dur Baba, Goshta, Hisarak, Jalalabad, Kama, Khogyani, Kot, Kuz Kunar, Lalpur, Muhmand Dara, Nazyan, Pachir Wa Agam, Rodat, Sherzad, Shinwar, and Surkh Rod. Jalalabad (جلال آباد Jalaalaabaad), the capital, has an area of 13.5 km² and an estimated population of 150 000. Lalpur has an area of 1.3 km² and an estimated population of 12 000.

Nurestan Province has an area of 9 225 km² and a population about 130 000. It has 8 districts: Bargi Matal, Doab, Kamdesh, Mandol, Nurgram, Puruns, Wama, and Waygal. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Ghazni Statistical Division


Image: The minaret at Ghazni (built circa 1100 AD) is 66 feet tall. The top was added in 1902.

Summary

Ghazni is a major town with a population of 40 000.

Ghazni statistical division contains the provinces of Ghazni, Khost, Lowgar, Paktia, Paktika, and Vardak. Its area is 65 799 km² and its population is about 3.0 million.

Ghazni Province has an area of 22 915 km² and a population of about 1.0 million. It has 18 districts: Ab Band, Ajristan, Andar, Dihyak, Gelan, Ghazni, Giro, Jaghuri, Khugiani, Khwaja Omri, Malistan, Muqur, Nawa, Nawur, Qarabagh, Rashidan, Waghaz, and Zana Khan. Ghazni (غزنى Ghazni) has an area of 3.2 km² and an estimated population of 40 000.

Khost Province has an area of 4 152 km² and a population of about 350 000. It has 13 districts: Bak, Gurbuz, Jaji Maydan, Khost, Mando Zayi, Musa Khel, Nadir Shah Kot, Qalandar, Sabari, Shamal, Spera, Tani, and Tere Zayi. Khost (خوست Khost) has an area of 1.4 km² and an estimated population of 10 000.

Lowgar Province has an area of 3 880 km² and a population of about 350 000. It has 7 districts: Azra, Baraki Barak, Charkh, Kharwar, Khoshi, Mohammed Agha, and Pul-e Alam. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Paktia Province has an area of 6 432 km² and a population of about 500 000. It has 12 districts: Ahmadzai, Chamkani, Dand Wa Patan, Gardez, Jani Khel, Lazha Mangal, Sayed Karam, Shwak, Tsamkani, Zadran, Zazi, and Zurmat. Gardez (گردی Gardez) has an area of 1.9 km² and an estimated population of 15 000.

Paktika Province has an area of 19 482 km² and a population of about 400 000. It has 15 districts: Barmal, Dila, Gayan, Gomal, Mata Khan, Nika, Omna, Sar Hawza, Sarobi, Sharan, Urgun, Waza Khwa, Wor Mamay, Zarghun Shahr, and Ziruk. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Vardak Province has an area of 8 938 km² and a population of about 500 000. It has 9 districts: Chaki Wardak, Day Mirdad, Jaghatu, Jalrez, Hisa-l-Awali Bihsud, Da Bihsud, Maydan Shahr, Nirkh, and Saydabad. There are no towns in this province large enough to be in the sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Kandahar Statistical Division

Image: Southern Afghanistan is the world's leading area for the cultivation of opium poppies.

Summary

Kandahar is a city with a population of 300 000. The major towns of Farah (50 000), Lashkar Gah (40 000) and Zaranj (30 000) are also in the area.

Detailed Analysis

Kandahar statistical division contains the provinces of Farah, Helmand, Kandahar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, and Zabol. Its area is 242 121 km² and its population is about 3.5 million.

Farah Province has an area of 48 471 km² and a population of about 400 000. It has 11 districts: Anar Dara, Bakwa, Bala Buluk, Farah, Gulistan, Khaki Safed, Lash wa Juwayn, Qala-i Kah, Pur Chaman, Pusht Rod, and Shib Koh. Farah (فراه Faraah) has an area of 4.3 km² and an estimated population of 50 000.

Helmand Province has an area of 58 584 km² and a population of about 400 000. It has 13 districts: Baghran, Dishu, Garmsir, Gerishk, Kajaki, Khanashin, Lashkargah, Musa Qala, Nad Ali, Nawa-i Barakzai, Nawzad, Sangin, and Washir. Lashkar Gah (لشکرگاه Lashkar Gaah) has an area of 6.7 km² and an estimated population of 40 000. Gereshk has an area of 1.6 km² and an estimated population of 15 000.

Kandahar Province has an area of 54 022 km² and a population of about 1.0 million. It has 16 districts: Arghandab, Arghistan, Daman, Ghorak, Kandahar, Khakrez, Maruf, Maywand, Miyannasheen, Naish, Panjwai, Reg, Shah Wali Kot, Shorabak, Spin Boldak, and Zhari. Kandahar (کندهار Kandahaar) has an area of 24 km² and an estimated population of 300 000. Spin Boldak has an area of 2.4 km² and an estimated population of 17 000. Panjwai has an area of 1.0 km² and an estimated population of 10 000.

Nimruz Province has an area of 41 005 km² and a population of about 180 000. It has 5 districts: Chahar Burjak, Chakhansur, Kang, Khash Rod, and Zaranj. Zaranj (زرنج Zaranj) has an area of 4.2 km² and an estimated population of 30 000.

Oruzgan Province has an area of 22 696 km² and a population of about 700 000. It has 6 districts: Chora, Deh Rahwod, Gizab, Khas Uruzgan, Shahidi Hassas, and Tarin Kowt. There are no towns in the province large enough to appear in this sample.

Zabol Province has an area of 17 343 km² and a population of about 300 000. It has 9 districts: Argahandab, Atghar, Dey Chopan, Mizan, Qalat, Shahjoy, Shamulzayi, Shinkay, and Tarnak Wa Jaldak. There are no towns in the province large enough to appear in this sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Hazarajat Statistical Division


Image: The Great Buddha at Bamian, which was 55 meters high when it was constructed in 554 AD, was destroyed in 2001. The destruction exposed additional caves at the site, which contain the world's oldest known examples of oil painting.

Summary

This area has no major towns.

Detailed Analysis

Hazarajat statistical division contains the provinces of Bamian and Daikondi. Its area is 22 263 km² and its population is about 750 000.

Bamian Province has an area of 14 175 km² and a population of about 400 000. It has 7 districts: Bamian, Kahmard, Panjab, Sayghan, Shibar, Waras, and Yakawlang. There are no towns in this province large enough to appear in the sample.

Daikondi Province has an area of 8 088 km² and a population of about 350 000. It has 7 districts: Kajran, Khedir, Kiti, Miramor, Nili, Sangi Takht, and Shahristan. There are no towns in this province large enough to appear in the sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Herat Statistical Division

Summary

Herat is a city with a population of 250 000.

Detailed Analysis

Herat statistical division contains the provinces of Badghis, Herat, and Ghowr. Its area is 111 848 km² and its population is about 2.2 million.

Badghis Province has an area of 20 591 km² and a population of around 350 000. It has 7 districts: Ab Kamari, Ghormach, Jawand, Muqur, Murghab, Qadis, and Qala-e Now. Qala-e Now (قلعه نو Qal'a-e Now), the capital, has an area of 1.0 km² and an estimated population of 7 000.

Herat Province has an area of 54 778 km² and a population of around 1.4 million. It has 15 districts: Adraksan, Chisti Sharif, Farsi, Ghoryan, Gulran, Guzara, Injil, Karukh, Kohsan, Kushk, Kushki Kuhna, Obe, Pashtun Zarghun, Shindand, and Zinda Jan. Herat (هرات Heraat) has an area of 21 km² and an estimated population of 250 000.

Ghowr Province has an area of 36 479 km² and a population of around 550 000. It has 10 districts: Chaghcharan, Charsada, Dawlat Yar, Du Layna, Lal wa Sarganjal, Pasaband, Saghar, Shahrak, Taywara, and Tulak. There are no towns in this province large enough to appear in the sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Mazar-e Sharif Statistical Division

Summary

Mazar-e Sharif in Balkh Province is a city with a population of 300 000. The major towns of Sheberghan (60 000) and Aqchah (40 000) in Jowzjan Province and Andkhoy (50 000) and Maymana (40 000) in Faryab Province are also in the area.

Detailed Analysis

Mazar-e Sharif statistical division contains the provinces of Balkh, Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, and Sar-e Pol. Its area is 76 601 km² and its population is about 3.4 million.

Balkh Province has an area of 17 249 km² and a population of around 1.0 million. It has 15 districts: Balkh, Chahar Bolak, Chahar Kint, Chimtal, Dawlatabad, Dihdadi, Kaldar, Khulm, Kishindih, Marmul, Mazar-e Sharif, Nahri Shahi, Sholgara, Shortepa, and Zari. Mazar-e Sharif (مزار شریف Mazaar-e Sharif), the capital, has an area of 26 km² and an estimated population of 300 000. Sherabad has an area of 1.7 km² and an estimated population of 9 000. Balkh (بلخ Balkh) has an area of 1.7 km² and an estimated population of 12 000. Kheyratan has an area of 1.4 km² and an estimated population of 6 000.

Faryab Province has an area of 20 293 km² and a population of around 900 000. It has 14 districts: Almar, Andkhoy, Bilchiragh, Dawlat Abad, Gurziwan, Khan-e Chahar Bagh, Khwaja Sabz Posh, Kohistan, Maymana, Pashtun Kot, Qaramqol, Qaysar, Qurghan, and Shirin Tagab. Maymana (میمنه Maymana), the capital, has an area of 4.4 km² and an estimated population of 40 000. Andkhoy has an area of 7.7 km² and an estimated population of 50 000. Chahar Bagh has an area of 1.2 km² and an estimated population of 6 000. Torah Khan has an area of 1.1 km² and an estimated population of 5 000.

Jowzjan Province has an area of 11 798 km² and a population of around 500 000. It has 9 districts: Aqchah, Darzab, Fayzabad, Khamyab, Khwaja du Koh, Mardyan, Mingajik, Qarqin, and Sheberghan. Sheberghan (شبرغان Sheberghaan), the capital, has an area of 5.9 km² and an estimated population of 60 000. Aqchah has an area of 4.3 km² and an estimated population of 40 000.

Samangan Province has an area of 11 262 km² and a population of around 450 000. It has 5 districts: Aybak, Dara-e Suf, Hazrat-e Sultan, Khuram wa Sarbagh, and Ruyi Du Ab. Aybak, the capital, has an area of 1.6 km² and an estimated population of 15 000.

Sar-e Pol Province has an area of 15 999 km² and a population of around 550 000. It has 6 districts: Balkhab, Kohistanat, Sangcharak, Sar-e Pol, Sayyad, and Sozma Qala. There are no towns in this province large enough to appear in the sample.

Afghanistan (AF) Qonduz Statistical Division

Summary

The major towns of Qonduz (80 000), Pol-e Khomri (35 000) in Baghlan Province, and Khanabad (20 000) in Qonduz Province are in the area.

Qonduz statistical division contains the provinces of Baghlan and Qonduz. Its area is 29 158 km² and its population is about 1.8 million.

Baghlan Province has an area of 21 118 km² and a population of around 850 000. It has 16 districts: Andarab, Baghlan, Baghlan-e Jadid, Burka, Dahana-e Ghuri, Dih Salah, Dushi, Farang wa Gharu, Guzargahi Nur, Khinjan, Khost wa Fereng, Khwaja Hijran, Nahrin, Pol-e Hisar, Pol-e Khomri, and Tala wa Barfak. Pol-e Khomri (پل خمری Pol-e Khomri), the capital, has an area of 2.8 km² and an estimated population of 35 000. Baghlan (بغلان Baghlaan) has an area of 2.0 km² and an estimated population of 12 000.

Qonduz Province has an area of 8 040 km² and a population of around 850 000. It has 7 districts: Aliabad, Archi, Chahar Dara, Imam Sahib, Khanabad, Qonduz, and Qalay-e Zal. Qonduz (قندوز Qonduz) has an area of 7.4 km² and an estimated population of 80 000. Khanabad (خان آباد Khaanaabaad) has an area of 2.1 km² and an estimated population of 20 000.

Afghanistan (AF) Taloqan Statistical Division

Summary

Taloqan is a major town with a population of 60 000.

Detailed Analysis

Taloqan statistical division contains the provinces of Badakhshan and Takhar. Its area is 56 492 km² and its population is about 1.6 million.

Badakhshan Province has an area of 44 059 km² and a population of around 800 000. It has 28 districts: Arghanj Khwa, Argo, Baharak, Darayim, Darwaz, Darwaz-e Bala, Fayzabad, Ishkashim, Jurm, Khash, Khwahan, Kishim, Kohistan, Kuf Ab, Kuran wa Munjan, Ragh, Shahr-e Buzurg, Shighnan, Shiki, Shuhada, Tagab, Tishkan, Wakhan, Warduj, Yaftali Sufla, Yamgan, Yawan, and Zebak. Fayzabad (فيض‌آباد Fayzaabaad), the capital, has an area of 1.3 km² and an estimated population of 10 000.

Takhar Province has an area of 12 333 km² and a population of around 800 000. It has 12 districts: Bangi, Chah Ab, Chal, Darqad, Farkhar, Ishkamish, Kalafghan, Khwaja Ghar, Rustaq, Taloqan, Warsaj, and Yangi Qala. Taloqan has an area of 5.9 km² and an estimated population of 60 000. Rustaq has an area of 2.2 km² and an estimated population of 15 000. Chah Ab has an area of 1.7 km² and an estimated population of 15 000. Khvajeh Bahauddin has an area of 1.7 km² and an estimated population of 15 000.