Shindand
شينډنډ | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 33°18′13″N 62°8′24″E / 33.30361°N 62.14000°E | |
Country | Afghanistan |
Province | Herat Province |
District | Shindand District |
Elevation | 3,497 ft (1,066 m) |
Time zone | UTC+4:30 |
Shīnḍanḍ (Pashto: شينډنډ; Persian: سبزوار) is a town and the center of the Shindand District, Herat Province, Afghanistan. It is located at 33°18′13″N 62°08′24″E / 33.3036°N 62.14°E at 1,066 m altitude on the Harut River. The Shindand Air Base is located about 15 miles northeast of the town.
Shindand is at the northern end of Zirko Valley, which is one of main centers of poppy production in western Afghanistan. The town is located south of Adriskan, where a large police training facility exists. The population includes Pashtuns, Tajiks and others, though Pashtuns make up the majority. The main languages spoken in the area are Pashto and Dari. During the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989) the 5th Guards Motor Rifle Division was headquartered in the town.