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| Farah فراه |
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|---|---|
  Farah
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| Coordinates: 32°20′37″N 62°7′10″E / 32.34361°N 62.11944°E | |
| Country |  Afghanistan |
| Province | Farah Province |
| Elevation | 2,133 ft (650 m) |
| Population (2004) | |
| - Total | 109,409 |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+4:30 |
Farah (Persian: فراه) is a city in western Afghanistan, situated at 650 m altitude, and located on the Farah River. It is the capital of Farah Province, and has a population of approximately 109,409.[1]
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History
The Citadel at Farah is one of a series of fortresses constructed by Alexander the Great, the city being an intermediate stop between Herat, the location of another of Alexander's fortresses, and Kandahar.[citation needed] It is thought to be Phra, mentioned by Isidorus Characenus in the 1st century AD.[citation needed] In the 5th century Farah was one of the major strongholds on the eastern frontier of the Sassanid Empire.[2] Islam was spread in the region during the 7th century and later the Saffarid dynasty too control of it. During the 10th century, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni took possession of the city followed by the Ghurids in the 12 century. Genghis Khan and his army passed in the 13th century and the city fell to the Timurids. It was controlled by the Safavids until 1710 when they were defeated by the Hotaki Afghan forces of Mir Wais Hotak. Since then it has been controlled by the Afghans.
Demography
As of 2004, the population of Farah is 109,409.[1] Pashtuns form the overwhelming majority of the city, comprising ca. 90%. The remaining are Tajiks at 7% and Baloch people at 3%.[3]
Economy and transportation
The city is a major trading and farming center in this area.There is an airport with a paved runway which is one of many that were constructed for the hauling of freight and passengers. However, the runway is used and protected by coalition forces to transport supplies to needy Afghans throughout Farah Province. There are secondary roads in different directions from the city. One major road called 515 or "IED Alley", appropriately named by Coalition forces due to the high number of road side bombs, leads to Ring Road. Both Ring Road and 515 were recently built in coordination with many different ISAF/NATO countries. Many civilian contractors died from Taliban attacks and forgotten landmines from the Soviet invasion.[citation needed]
Security and Politics
On 20 November 2009 it was reported that a suicide bomber on a motocycle detonated near a market in Farah city, killing 17 people and wounding 29.[4]
Mullah Hayatullah is the Taliban commander for the province and is known to run suicide training camps.[4]
Military
See also
References
- ^ a b c Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development National Area Based Development Programme, Farah (PDF file)
- ^ Balland, Daniel. "FARAÚH". in Ehsan Yarshater. Encyclopædia Iranica (Online Edition ed.). United States: Columbia University. http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v9f3/v9f301.html. Retrieved January 2008.
- ^ 2003 National Geographic Population Map (PDF file), Thomas Gouttierre, Center For Afghanistan Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Matthew S. Baker, Stratfor
- ^ a b Roggio, Bill. "Suicide Bomber strikes in Western Afghanistan." 20 November 2009. Long War Journal. Accessed at: http:.net//www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/11/suicide_bomber_strik_3.php
External links
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