Kandahar is a city in the south of Afghanistan. The sick spot on the body of the planet

Kandahar is a city in southern Afghanistan, the second largest city in the country. He was and remains a troubled point on the map of Asia. What does Kandahar look like today? What sights can you see in the city? And do tourists come here?

Kandahar is a city in the middle of the desert

The city is located in the homonymous province of Afghanistan, at an altitude of about one kilometer above the sea level. On all sides it is surrounded by a lifeless rocky desert. However, Kandahar originated within an oasis, so in the city and its surrounding areas you can see cypresses, mulberry trees and other plants.

Kandahar is a city with an ancient history. So, in 50 kilometers from it there is a unique archeological monument - Mundigak. It is the remnants of the village of the Eneolithic era.

The climate of Kandahar is severe. In summer, air is often warmed up to +40 degrees, and in winter temperatures drop to zero Celsius. Atmospheric precipitation a year is extremely small (no more than 200 millimeters). Most of them fall during the winter.

Kandahar: photos of the city and a brief history

Kandahar has a long history. The city was founded in the IV century BC. Its first inhabitants were the ancestors of the current Pashtuns. In the first century, the city was described in his book by the ancient Greek pilgrim Isidor Tcharovsky.

In the XVIII century, Kandahar had time to visit the capital of Afghanistan. It is here that the tomb of Ahmad Shah, the father of Afghan statehood, is located.

Until the beginning of this century, the city was under the control of the Taliban, and in its vicinity the largest camp of al-Qaeda operated. In 2001, Kandahar was occupied by the Northern Alliance troops - the united Afghanistan rescue union . Today the city is under the watchful control of the military. Nevertheless, the Taliban, who consider all foreigners and non-Muslims as their enemies, periodically organize attacks and shooting in the city.

The population of Kandahar is a fairly large city. About half a million people live here.

Kandahar Airport

The main transport gate of the city is Kandahar International Airport. It was built in the middle of the twentieth century as a refueling point for aircraft. During the Afghan war of the 1980s, fierce battles were near the airfield, but its infrastructure was almost unaffected.

In 2001, when Kandahar was occupied by the Northern Alliance troops, the Americans at the airport had their first military base in Afghanistan. In 2007, it began to be used for civilian passenger flights.

Kandahar Airport looks very colorful and unusual for a European tourist. So, here you will not see ladders, sleeves for passing passengers to the plane, parking lots with many taxi cars at the exit. The territory around the airfield is guarded by vigilant military men.

Modern Kandahar: a walk around the city

Travel around the city better with a local guide, or by car. After all, a lonely tourist in a clearly "foreign" European apparel can be an excellent target for terrorists.

Kandahar itself looks poorer and more neglected than other cities in Afghanistan. The city has a lot of military, police, roadblocks. Some driveways are completely blocked by concrete blocks with barbed wire. At the entrances to the city the military is carefully checked by many cars. In a word, everything in Kandahar reminds of an uneasy situation in the region.

Tourists in Kandahar better to go in the spring. In June-July here, as a rule, hot heat is established. There are hotels in the city. However, living in them is very expensive (at least $ 100 per room), and staff often do not know English.

Attractions of Kandahar

Are there any objects in Kandahar that may interest the visiting tourist? Of course, there is.

One of the main sights of the city founded by Alexander the Great is the Kharka Sharif mosque. The structure is guarded by armed soldiers, the mosque itself is open only on Fridays. The building with one large dome is built in Moorish style. In this mosque is kept an important Islamic shrine - a fragment of the cloak of the Prophet. However, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque.

The most famous place in the city is the area of the Fallen Martyrs. It is decorated with a small but beautiful monument built in the 1940s. Near the square there is a city bazaar - an unusually colorful place. You can buy absolutely everything on it. They sell local and very delicious bread.

Another interesting attraction of Kandahar is Shikhl Zina grotto, located in a high cliff. A steep stone staircase leads to it. Climbing up, in front of the tourist will open a chic panoramic view of the city and its immediate surroundings.

Conclusion

Kandahar - the city of what country? Now you know the answer to this question. Where is the city of Kandahar? The settlement is located in the southern part of Afghanistan and is the second most populous in the country.

Kandahar continues to be a hot spot on the map of Asia. Terror acts and shooting in the streets - this is not uncommon. Despite the presence of interesting sights, the city is very rarely visited by tourists.