Afghanistan

The Jami Masjid, Friday mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Herat, is a significant historical and architectural landmark located in the Old City of Herat, Afghanistan. It is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the region and is considered a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The mosque was built in the 12th century and has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries. It is well-known for its bright blue minarets, which are adorned with intricate tile work, and its large central dome which sits above the prayer hall.

The mosque is also known for its historical significance as it served as a center for religious and cultural activities during the Timurid dynasty. It has also been used as a center for education, including the study of Islamic law and theology. The mosque is still in use today and is open to visitors.

The Friday mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks of Herat, its blue Minarets are one of the most recognizable architectural features in the city, and it is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Herat. It is an important example of Islamic architecture and showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the city.

The mosque Rawza Sakhi Shah-e-Mardan, also known as the Rawza-e-Sakhi Shrine, is a historical mosque located in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. It is named after Sakhi Shah-e-Mardan, who is believed to have been a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The mosque is said to have been built in the 18th century, and it is known for its intricate tilework and calligraphy. The mosque is a popular pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, and it is also considered a significant architectural and historical landmark in Kabul. Some stories say that it's a place for miracles and blessings.

Bamyan is a city located in the central highlands of Afghanistan, in the Hazarajat region. The city is situated in a valley at an altitude of 2,500 meters and is surrounded by towering cliffs and snow-capped mountains. It is the capital of Bamyan province and is known for its history, culture, and natural beauty.

Bamyan is an ancient city, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 4th century BC. It was an important city along the Silk Road and was a center of Buddhism from the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD. The city is also known for the destruction of the two monumental statues of Buddha carved into the cliff face, which were dynamited by the Taliban in 2001.

The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to many other historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Bamyan Buddhas, the Citadel of Bamyan, and the Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams). Bamyan is also known for its natural beauty and is a popular destination for trekkers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. The province offers a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty.

The Registan Desert is an extremely arid region and plateau located between the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar in southwestern Afghanistan. It is a 15-30 m sandy desert with areas of open rock and clay. It is sparsely populated by Pashtun and Baloch nomads. The desert is gradually encroaching on the surrounding agricultural areas.

The desert is in the eastern part of the Iranian plateau in southern Afghanistan. It is bounded by the Helmand River to the north and west, the Chagaev Mountains in the south and the Quetta-Pishinskim Plateau to the east. It covers an area of approximately 50,000 km², over 300 km long and up to 200 km wide. The plain is at an altitude of 2000 m in the east and drops to 600 m in the west. The climate is subtropical, continental and dry (with rainfall of up to 100 mm per year).

A severe drought in 1998 displaced some 100,000 nomadic people from the Registan desert region, most of whom moved to temporary settlements between the Arghandab and Helmand and Registan rivers.

The Kabul international airport (KBL) was built by engineers from the Soviet Union in 1960 when Afghanistan was trying to catch up with other developed countries in all areas, including tourism. The government planned to attract travelers from the US, India, and Europe through transit flights. However, their plans were disrupted in 1979 when the civil war broke out in Afghanistan, and the airport was used by President Najibullah and the Soviet Union until the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the country.

In 1992, the airport came under the control of the Mujahideen and was managed by them for several years until the Taliban took over.

After the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, NATO forces entered Afghanistan. A month later, the Kabul airport was destroyed along with the planes on the platform by the US Armed Forces.

In 2006, the Afghan government adopted a project to restore and develop the international Kabul airport, with the help of Japan. The plan included building a new modern terminal costing $35 million and increasing the passenger traffic to 100,000 by 2011.

The new international terminal was opened on November 6, 2008, in the presence of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The existing terminal was renovated and used for domestic flights, and a new radar system was installed in February 2010. The airport is planned to be brought up to all international standards by the end of the year.

In 2023, Kabul International Airport will serve several national and international destinations. Ariana and Kam Air are still the airlines with the largest number of destinations.

Balkh is an ancient town located in the northern part of Afghanistan, about 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. It sits on the ancient Silk Road trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean.

History: Balkh is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history that dates back more than 5,000 years. It has been a center of trade, culture, and religion for centuries, and has been ruled by various empires and dynasties over the years, including the Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Mongols, and Timurids.

Landmarks: There are several landmarks in Balkh that are of historical and cultural significance. One of the most notable is the Blue Mosque, a stunning 15th-century mosque that is considered one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture in the world. Other landmarks include the ancient city walls, the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, and the tomb of the poet Rumi.

Culture: Balkh has a rich cultural heritage, and is known for its traditional crafts such as carpet weaving and embroidery. The town is also famous for its literature and poetry, and was the birthplace of several prominent poets and scholars, including Rumi, one of the most beloved poets in the world.

Overall, Balkh is a fascinating and culturally significant town with a long and storied history. Despite the challenges it has faced in recent years, it remains an important part of Afghanistan's cultural landscape.

The Blue Mosque is the center of all the social and religious life of the city. It would be built on the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib, relative and companion of the prophet Mohamed. The Sultan of the Seljuq dynasty, Ahmed Sanjar (1118-1157), built the first known shrine at this location. It was destroyed during the invasion of Genghis Khan around 1220. In the 15th century, Timurid Sultan Husayn Bayqarah Mirza built the current Blue Mosque here. The shrine is surrounding by Rawza parks.