|
|
|
|
|
Afghanistan |
Capital: Kabul
Official Language: Dari
Currency: Afghani
Afghanistan the central Asian country is bordered by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on the north, by Pakistan on the east and by Iran on the west. Nature has bestowed Afghanistan with astounding beauty littered with rugged mountains, rivers, steppes and deserts. High snow-capped mountains and deep valleys cover most of the country. The country is split east to west by the Hindu Kush mountain range. Afghanistan abounds in rich minerals; fuel and energy sources like natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, and precious and semi precious stones. Afghanistan emerged as an independent country on August 19, 1919 from the British control. Historically speaking, Afghanistan has a centuries long history. Afghanistan has been invaded by a host of peoples, including the Greeks, Mauryans, Kushans, Hepthalites, Arabs, Mongols, Turks, British, Soviets, and most recently by the United States.
Major Cities
Kabul Kandahar, Ghazni, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif & Herat are the major citie of Afghanistan. Other well known cities and provinces are Badakhshan,Herat, Nimruz,Badghis, Jowzjan, Oruzgan, Baghlan, Paktia, Balkh, Kandahar, Paktika, Bamiyan, and Zabol
Tourist Attractions
The capital city of Kabul situated near the Kabul River is a major tourist attraction to the visitors traveling to Afghanistan. The Gardens of Babur and Kabul Museum are among the few conventional attractions for tourists. Mogul Emperor Babur built the garden in 16th century and later Emperor Shah Jehan included a mosque into the garden. Kabul Museum displays some of the rarefied artifacts of the Mogul dynasty. The ancient walls of the citadel Bala Hissar is the witness to various exciting wars held in the early periods. The famous emperors like Babor Shah and Timor Lang are said to have resided in it. Kabul features various mosques with grand architecture bringing out the cultural heritage of Afghanistan. The picturesque bazaars of Kabul offering legendary items such as, Pushminas made of lamb fur, Karakul coats and caps, Kandahar embroidery, pottery, rustic glassware also attracts tourists greatly.
Herat one of the largest cultural and Islamic centers in the Central Asia is the third large city in Afghanistan. Heart was known to be the Timurid center of art, poetry, miniature painting & music, depicting Persian, Central Asian and Afghan cultures. The traditional buildings and mosques, which form the dominant architectural accent of city, attract tourists from all over the world. Places worth seeing in Herat are Masjet-e-jam, The Citadel (qala-i-ikhtiyar-ud-din), Mousallah Complex, Tomb of Poet Jami, Gazar Gah, Chahrsuq and Chisht-i-sharif.
The beautiful province of Bamiyan with its archeological remains is the most cherished site of Afghanistan. Bamiyan is decked up by the snow-capped Range of Koh-e-Baba Mountains in the south and by the steep cliffs in the north. The cliffs are honeycombed with caves that used to serve as living quarters of Buddhist monks. Bot - e - Bamiyan or the two famous Buddha statues were carved in Bamiyan. These statues were hewn into solid rock and engraved with stucco works and wall paintings that are still preserved.
Situated in the mountainous Hazarajat some distances from Bamiyan, the majestic lakes of Bande Amir enamor the tourists with their legendary beauty. The cave town of Shahr-e-Gholgola is also known as the city of noise. Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the most prestigious and religious cities in Afghanistan is located in northern part of the country. Historical records recommend that the tomb of Hazrat Ali is located in this city. Each year thousands of people come to this city to attend the New Year celebration of Nowroz and visit the grandiose Mosque of Roza Mubarik. Kandahar, the previous capital of Afghanistan, founded by Ahmed Shah Durrani in 1747, is today the second largest city of Afghanistan located on the Asian Highway halfway between Kabul & Herat. The area is rich in ancient history.
Communications and Accommodation
Visitors to Afghanistan require a tourist visa to travel to this country. The visa may be obtained from Afghan Embassy consulates abroad. Kabul and Kandahar were the international airports but now international flights are being operated from Kabul only. The national airline is Ariana Afghan Airline, which operates flights to neighboring countries. Besides Ariana Afghan, Pakistan International Airline is also operating flights to Kabul on weekly basis. All larger cities in Afghanistan generally offer comfortable accommodation. Accommodation ranges from the luxury-class Hotel Intercontinental, various second-class hotels to less expensive lodging located throughout the city. Travel within Afghanistan is severely limited by the rugged terrain. In Urban areas mostly buses and hired cars can be used whereas in the countryside tourists have to travel by foot, donkey, horseback and occasionally by camel.
Precautions
Due to the simultaneous wars and terrorist activities of Taliban, Afghanistan lacks commensurable amount of security. While the government promises maximum help to the tourists violent terrorist attacks are a cause of concern. Travelers should exercise high levels of caution at all times. The general health situation in Afghanistan is not very promising, as the basic health units has been completely destroyed in the on going war. The medical facilities in big cities are comparatively better than remote areas where Polio, Typhoid, Malaria, Cholera, Rabies and other viral diseases are common. An international vaccination certificate against these diseases is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas in Afghanistan.
For further details and information on Afghanistan and its tourist destinations browse more pages of allwonderscountries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|