Shindand District

Shindand
شينډنډ
District
Shindand District (in south) on Herat province map
Shindand District (in south) on Herat province map
Shindand is located in Afghanistan
Shindand
Shindand
Location within Afghanistan
Coordinates: 33°18′13″N 62°08′24″E / 33.3036°N 62.1400°E / 33.3036; 62.1400
Country Afghanistan
ProvinceHerat Province
CapitalShindand
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total49,024
Time zoneUTC+4:30

Shinḍanḍ District[2][3][4] (Pashto: شينډنډ) is located in the southern part of Herat Province in Afghanistan, bordering Adraskan District to the north, Ghor Province to the east and Farah Province to the south and west. It is one of the 16 districts of Herat Province. The name Shindand is Pashto and relates to lush green farming area. In Persian language it translates to Sabzwār (سبزوار).

The population of Shindand District is around 49,024.[1] The district center is the town of Shindand, which has an active market area.[5] Shindand Air Base is located near the town. The Kandahar–Herat Highway passes through the district. The Zerkoh Valley is in the district.

History

Further information: History of Afghanistan

The ancient name of Shindand was Esfezar[6] as still an Iranian small city, more a village, close to the border of Afghanistan on the Iranian side. Notable historical sites in Shindand include Qala-Dokhtar and Qala Rustam-Zal.

Divisions

Shindand District is divided into five bigger districts, namely Zawol, Zerkoh, Poshteh-Koh, Kooh-Zoor and Qasaba. Shindand District is one of the most diverse and wide districts in Afghanistan, representing thirty different Afghan tribes which include both Pashtun and Tajik sub-tribes. Ismail Khan, the country's former Minister of Energy and Water, had support in the district, specially among his fellow Tajiks.[7]

Demography

Further information: Demographics of Afghanistan

The estimated population of Shindand District was 49,024 (as of April 2021).[1] Another source has put at 173,800 (2011).[8][9] In terms of tribal and ethnic groups, Shindand is one of the most diverse districts in Herat Province. Around 60 percent of the population is Pashtun and 40 percent Tajik, Aimaq Hazara, Baloch and others. However, sixty percent of Tajiks live within the town of Shindand, which includes Qasaba and surrounding districts. The main languages spoken in the district are Dari and Pashto.

Climate

Shindand is sunny and windy all year long. Though the winds pick up during the months of May through September, called Badayeh-Sado-Bist Roozeh (120 Day Winds). The rainy season is from November/December to March/April, though the rains are scattered.

References

  1. ^ a b c Estimated Population of Afghanistan (p.132) April 2021
  2. ^ "Disputes among Shindand residents almost resolved". Pajhwok Afghan News. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  3. ^ "Afghan Taliban Say They'll Suspend Fighting in Their Areas if Coronavirus Hits". Voice of America. April 2, 2020. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  4. ^ "In an Afghan District Verging on Collapse: 'There Are Too Many Men With Guns'". The New York Times Magazine. December 12, 2018. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  5. ^ Trip to Shindand district, first part on YouTube
  6. ^ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Band 22, Ausgaben 1-7, p. 157-159
  7. ^ "Disputes among Shindand residents almost resolved". TOLOnews. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ STABILITY IN KEY AREAS (SIKA) – WEST - SHINDAND DISTRICT PROFILE, p. 1, http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00JG5G.pdf