Herat

Herat
Yves Picq http://veton.picq.fr · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Herat
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	34.3489°N 62.1925°E
Subdivision name	Afghanistan

Herat is a city located in the western part of Afghanistan, near the Iran-Afghanistan border, and is close to the cities of Mashhad and Kandahar. The city has a rich history, with influences from various cultures, including the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan. Herat is situated near the Harirud River and is close to the Khorasan region, which includes cities such as Tus and Nishapur. The city is also near the Hindu Kush mountain range, which stretches across Afghanistan and into Pakistan.

Geography

Herat is located in the Herat Province of Afghanistan, which borders the Badghis Province to the north, the Ghor Province to the east, and the Farah Province to the south. The city is situated near the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan border, and is close to the cities of Mary and Ashgabat. The geography of the region is characterized by the Harirud River, which flows through the city and into the Kara Kum Desert. The city is also near the Sistan Basin, which includes the Hamun-e Helmand lake and the Helmand River. Herat is situated near the Kabul-Kandahar highway, which connects the city to other major cities in Afghanistan, such as Mazar-i-Sharif and Jalalabad.

History

The history of Herat dates back to the Achaemenid Empire, when it was an important center of trade and culture. The city was later conquered by Alexander the Great and his successors, the Seleucid Empire. Herat was also an important center of learning and culture during the Islamic Golden Age, with scholars such as Ibn Sina and Al-Biruni making significant contributions to the fields of medicine, astronomy, and mathematics. The city was later conquered by Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, and was an important center of trade and culture during the Timurid Empire. Herat was also influenced by the Safavid dynasty and the Mughal Empire, with rulers such as Shah Abbas I and Babur making significant contributions to the city's architecture and culture. The city was also an important center of resistance against the British Empire during the Anglo-Afghan Wars, with leaders such as Dost Mohammad Khan and Abdur Rahman Khan playing important roles.

Culture

The culture of Herat is a unique blend of Persian culture, Islamic culture, and Central Asian culture. The city is home to many historical landmarks, including the Mosque of Herat and the Musallah Complex, which were built during the Timurid Empire. The city is also known for its traditional crafts, such as carpet weaving and pottery, which are similar to those found in cities such as Isfahan and Tabriz. Herat is also an important center of Sufism, with many Sufi shrines and mosques, such as the Khawaja Abdullah Ansari shrine, which is dedicated to the Sufi saint Khawaja Abdullah Ansari. The city is also home to many Naqshbandi and Qadiri Sufi orders, which have influenced the city's culture and spirituality. The city's culture is also influenced by the Nowruz celebrations, which are held annually in Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia, including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Economy

The economy of Herat is primarily based on agriculture, with crops such as wheat, grapes, and pomegranates being grown in the surrounding countryside. The city is also an important center of trade, with many bazaars and markets selling goods such as carpets, rugs, and jewelry. Herat is also home to many industries, such as textiles and food processing, which are similar to those found in cities such as Kabul and Peshawar. The city's economy is also influenced by the Afghanistan-Iran border, with many goods being traded between the two countries. The city is also an important center of remittances, with many Afghans living abroad in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates sending money back to their families in Herat.

Transportation

The transportation network in Herat is primarily based on roads, with the city being connected to other major cities in Afghanistan such as Kabul and Kandahar by the Kabul-Kandahar highway. The city is also connected to the Iran-Afghanistan border by the Herat-Mashhad highway, which passes through the Dorrah Pass. Herat is also home to the Herat Airport, which offers flights to cities such as Kabul and Dubai. The city's transportation network is also influenced by the railway network, which connects Afghanistan to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The city is also an important center of truck transport, with many goods being transported between Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Education

The education system in Herat is primarily based on the Afghanistan national curriculum, with many schools and universities offering courses in subjects such as medicine, engineering, and law. The city is home to the University of Herat, which is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Afghanistan. The city is also home to many institutes and colleges, such as the Herat Institute of Technology and the Herat College of Medicine, which offer courses in subjects such as computer science and nursing. The city's education system is also influenced by the United Nations and other international organizations, which have provided significant support and funding for education projects in Afghanistan. The city is also an important center of vocational training, with many programs offering training in subjects such as carpentry and electricity, which are similar to those found in cities such as Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif.

Category:Cities in Afghanistan