AFGHANISTAN: CROSSROADS OF aSIA, the graveyard of empires

PROVINCES OF AFGHANISTANBadakhshanModule introduces you to BadakhshanEmphasis on:Geography & topographyHuman terrainRecent historyEconomics Security situationPoliticsDistrictsOVERVIEWBLOCK 1: GEOGRAPHYLocation: NE AfghanistanArea: 15,786 sq miles47,403 sq kmTerrain:90% mountainousincluding High PamirsNumerous peaks over 20,000 feetAmu Darya watershedFew all-weather roadsPHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Sources:

Adamec, Ludwig, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan.Conflict Analysis: Baharak District, Badakhshan Province, Cooperation for Peace and Unity report, February 2009.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Provincial Development Plan for Badakhshan.4

Wakhan MountainsSefid KersKhvajeh Mohamed RangePanj RiverPanj RiverWakhjir Javan Pass(Into China)Jaman Pass(Tajikistan)Baroghil Pass(Into Pakistan)Pamir RiverDora PassTurghan PassMonjani RiverHindu Kush RangeQala Panja PassAnjoman Pass

Deforestation from 1980s to presentLittle or no erosion controls in placeFlash flooding problemsTemperate grasslands, savannahsGissaro-Alai woodlands along Pamir RiverCommon plants: Pistachio AlmondWalnutAppleJuniper Sagebrush

FLORASources:

Oxfam, Household Economy Survey Shari-i Buzurg, and Yawan Districts Badakhshan July 2007.

8Montane grasslands & shrublandsHindu Kush alpine meadowsNorthern and southwestern regionsMeadows and birch forestsKarakorum-West Tibetan alpine steppeWakhan CorridorPamir alpine meadow and desert

FLORASources:

Oxfam, Household Economy Survey Shari-i Buzurg, and Yawan Districts Badakhshan July 2007.

9Desert and Xeric shrublandsAfghan mountains semi-desertSouth of FayzabadCommon plants:Thorny bushesZizyphusAcaciaAmygdatus

FLORAParopamisus xeric woodlandsNorthwest and central BadakhshanCommon plants:PistachioAlmondWillowsSea buckthorn

FLORA Strategic borders:PakistanChinaTajikistan1896: border settled with RussiaCapital: Faizabad, FayzabadEstimated population: 61,000Districts: 28Number of villages: 1,851POLITICAL GEOGRAPHYSources:

Amstutz, J. Bruce, Afghanistan.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Provincial Development Plan for Badakhshan.

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Wakhan MountainsTAJIKISTANTakharPanjshirNuristanPAKISTANCHINAFayzabadBLOCK 2: HUMAN TERRAINPopulation: 819,00096% ruralAvg household: 6 membersMale: 51%; Female: 49%Ethnic composition:Tajiks (majority)PamirisUzbeksHUMAN TERRAIN

Sources:

Adamec, Ludwig, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan.Conflict Analysis: Baharak District, Badakhshan Province, Cooperation for Peace and Unity report, February 2009.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Provincial Development Plan for Badakhshan.Naval Postgraduate School, Provincial Overview.15Ethnicity (Contd):Pockets of Ismailis along Tajik borderSome Ghilzai Pashtuns, KirghizHazara, TurkmenKuchi nomads Move into province in summer185,000Winter population: 9,500HUMAN TERRAINSources:

Adamec, Ludwig, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan.Conflict Analysis: Baharak District, Badakhshan Province, Cooperation for Peace and Unity report, February 2009.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Provincial Development Plan for Badakhshan.Naval Postgraduate School, Provincial Overview.16Religion:Virtually all residents are MuslimSunni majorityMany Pamiris are Shia/IsmailiLanguages: Dari (77%)HUMAN TERRAINSources:

Adamec, Ludwig, Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan.Conflict Analysis: Baharak District, Badakhshan Province, Cooperation for Peace and Unity report, February 2009.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Provincial Development Plan for Badakhshan.Naval Postgraduate School, Provincial Overview.17Languages (Contd):Various Pamiri dialectsShughniMunjiIshkashimiWakhiUzbeki (12%)