A scenic Tour of Kabul

Kabul  is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan. According to a 2012 estimate, the population of the city was around 3,289,000,  It is the 64th largest and the 5th fastest growing city in the world.

Kabul is over 3,500 years old; many empires have long fought over the valley for its strategic location along the trade routes of South and Central Asia.  It has been the capital of Afghanistan since 1776. It was invaded several times by neighboring British-Indian forces during the Anglo-Afghan wars in the 19th century. After the outbreak of the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919, the city was air raided by the Royal Air Force of British India. It began developing into a modern style city based on European architecture, particularly French, German and Italian designs.

Since the Marxist revolution in 1978, the city has been a target of militant groups such as the mujahideen, Taliban, Haqqani network,Hezbi Islami, and others. While the Afghan government tries to rebuild the war-torn city, insurgents have continued to stage major attacks not only against the Afghan government and NATO-led forces but also against foreign diplomats and Afghan civilians.

Kabul serves as the nation's cultural and learning center, situated 1,791 metres (5,876 feet) above sea level in a narrow valley, wedged between the Hindu Kush mountains along the Kabul River. It is linked with Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif via the circular Highway 1 that stretches across Afghanistan.  The Kabul International Airport is located about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the center of the city.  

Kabul has a semi-arid climate  with precipitation concentrated in the winter (almost exclusively falling as snow) and spring months. Temperatures are relatively cool compared to much of Southwest Asia, mainly due to the high elevation of the city. Summer has very low humidity, providing relief from the heat. Autumn features warm afternoons and sharply cooler evenings. Winters are cold, with a January daily average of −2.3 °C (27.9 °F). Spring is the wettest time of the year, though temperatures are generally amiable. Sunny conditions dominate year-round. The annual mean temperature is 12.1 °C (53.8 °F).

A couple of folk have been kind enough to send me photos from around and about in Kabul.  I can't tell you where exactly these are or what is in the pics as I mostly don't know other than "around and about in Kabul".   It doesn't really matter as I am not sure that the descriptions would mean much to anyone who hasn't been there anyway.  Some are taken around the Airport and one shows the NATO-OTAN flags which I am familiar with because I received a photo of a group of coalition soldiers with a quilt taken in front of the flags. 

What you can see is the snow on the mountains, and the snow in Kabul itself a few days later. If you look you will see the dust haze in some of the pics which we have heard about before. You can also see why our quilts and laundry bags are a welcome infusion of colour and visual stimulation as we are often told.

In case you can't quite make it out.

To the Fallen

In grateful memory of the men and women of the Afghan National Security Force and the International Security Assistance Force who gave their lives in the name of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

We shall remember them.

Four of the photos shown were taken last year but by far the bulk of these photos were taken just last week, including the snowy ones. 

Many thanks to the photographers for being kind enough to share with us. 
Much appreciated.

Incidentally if anyone had some photos of Kandahar, Dubai, or elsewhere in the Middle Easy that are appropriate for me to share I am putting together more pictorial posts. 

Till next time................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!  JMxx