Kandahar Province

Kandahar Province
source
Name	Kandahar Province
Settlement type	Province
Capital	Kandahar
Largest city	Kandahar
Leader title	Governor
Leader name	Rohullah Khanzada
Population total	1,262,000
Population as of	2020
Area total	54,844
Area unit	km²

Kandahar Province is a province located in the southern part of Afghanistan, bordering Helmand Province to the west, Uruzgan Province to the north, Zabul Province to the northeast, and the Durand Line to the south and east, which forms the international border with Pakistan. The province is home to the famous Kandahar International Airport and the ancient city of Old Kandahar, which was once the capital of the Durrani Empire under Ahmad Shah Durrani. The province is also known for its significant role in the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), with major battles such as the Battle of Kandahar (2001) and the Battle of Panjwayi taking place in the region, involving forces from the United States Army, Canadian Army, and the Afghan National Army.

Geography

Kandahar Province is situated in the southern part of Afghanistan, covering an area of approximately 54,844 square kilometers, with a diverse geography that includes the Hindu Kush mountain range to the northeast and the Registan Desert to the southwest. The province is bordered by Helmand Province to the west, Uruzgan Province to the north, Zabul Province to the northeast, and the Durand Line to the south and east, which forms the international border with Pakistan and the North-West Frontier Province. The Arghandab River and the Helmand River are the major rivers in the province, providing water for irrigation and drinking purposes, and supporting the local agriculture and fishing industries, with crops such as wheat, grapes, and pomegranates being grown in the region. The province is also home to several important trade routes, including the Kandahar-Herat Highway and the Kandahar-Kabul Highway, which connect the province to major cities such as Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.

History

Kandahar Province has a rich and complex history, with the region being an important center of trade and culture in the ancient world, with the city of Kandahar being founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. The province was later conquered by the Arab Empire in the 7th century AD, and became a major center of Islam in the region, with the famous Mosque of the Hair of the Prophet being built in the city of Kandahar. The province was also an important center of the Durrani Empire, with Ahmad Shah Durrani making Kandahar the capital of the empire in the 18th century, and the province playing a significant role in the Anglo-Afghan Wars, with major battles such as the Battle of Kandahar (1839) and the Battle of Kandahar (1880) taking place in the region, involving forces from the British Empire and the Afghan Army. The province was also affected by the Soviet-Afghan War, with the Soviet Union occupying the province from 1979 to 1989, and the Mujahideen fighting against the occupation, with support from the United States, Pakistan, and other countries.

Demographics

Kandahar Province has a population of approximately 1,262,000 people, according to the 2020 estimates, with the majority of the population being Pashtun and speaking the Pashto language. The province is also home to smaller communities of Tajik people, Hazara people, and Uzbek people, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim. The province has a significant number of refugees and internally displaced persons, with many people having been displaced due to the conflict in the region, and the province being a major hub for humanitarian aid and refugee assistance, with organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross providing support to the affected populations.

Economy

Kandahar Province has a significant agriculture sector, with crops such as wheat, grapes, and pomegranates being grown in the region, and the province being a major producer of opium poppy and other narcotics. The province is also home to several important mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and lithium, with the Aynak copper mine being one of the largest copper mines in the country. The province has a growing industry sector, with several factories and workshops producing goods such as textiles, carpets, and food products, and the province being a major hub for trade and commerce, with the Kandahar International Airport and the Kandahar-Herat Highway providing access to major markets in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Politics

Kandahar Province is governed by a provincial governor appointed by the President of Afghanistan, with the current governor being Rohullah Khanzada. The province has a significant number of security forces, including the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, with the province being a major hub for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, and the United States Army and the Canadian Army having maintained a significant presence in the province during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). The province has a complex tribal politics, with several powerful tribes and clans playing a significant role in the local politics and society, and the province being a major hub for traditional leadership and community-based initiatives.

Infrastructure

Kandahar Province has a significant number of infrastructure projects, including the Kandahar International Airport, which provides access to major cities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Kandahar-Herat Highway, which connects the province to major cities such as Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif. The province is also home to several important energy infrastructure projects, including the Kandahar-Herat power transmission line and the Kandahar solar power plant, with the province being a major hub for renewable energy and sustainable development. The province has a growing telecommunications sector, with several major telecom companies providing services in the region, including Afghan Wireless and Roshan (telecom company), and the province being a major hub for information technology and digital development.