
Kunduz
'Kunduz' (
Persian: 'قندوز') also known as 'Kundûz, Qonduz, Qondûz, Konduz, Kondûz, Kondoz,' or 'Qhunduz' is a city in northern
Afghanistan, the capital of
Kunduz Province. It is linked by highways with
Mazari Sharif to the west,
Kabul to the south and
Tajikistan's border to the north. In the
1979 census, Kunduz had a population of 53,251 people, which is now estimated to have risen to 95,000 (
2002 official estimate). Kunduz is located at 36.73°N, 68.86°E, at an elevation of 397 meters above
sea level.
History
The city was known in antiquity as 'Drapsaka', and was a place of importance visited by
Alexander the Great. Under the governance of Sher Khan
Nasher, Kunduz became one of the wealthiest Afghan provinces in the early 20th century. This was mainly due to Nasher's founding of the Spinzar Cotton Company, which continues to exist in post-war Afghanistan.
Kunduz was the last major city held by the
Taliban before its fall to US-backed
Afghan Northern Alliance forces on November 26, 2001.
Kunduz is the most important agricultural province which produces weat, rice, millon, and other productions and obtained the nickname of "the hive of the country."
Kunduz is the centre for the north east provinces, and was the stronghold of the Taliban during its regime. The city is strategically important because it is the only way connecting Takhar and Badakhshan provinces, which play a critical role in the existing government.
Several different ethnicities live in the city, namely the
Tajiks,
Aimaq,
Uzbek,
Pashtun and
Hazara. The city is divided into 6 districts: Khan Abad, Ali Abad, Char Dara, Dashti Archi, Qala -e-Zal and Imam Sahib.
Kunduz has 9 representatives in the lower house and 2 in the upper house and has a provincial council. Eng. Mohammad Omer is the Governor.
See also
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Afghanistan
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Farhad Darya
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International Security Assistance Force
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Provincial Reconstruction Team
References
External link
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Historical Guide To Afghanistan - The Northeast (Kunduz)
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Welcome to Kunduz, Allauddin