Zaranj

Zaranj
زرنج
Zarange
The Abresham, also known as Silk Bridge, border crossing in 2011[1]
The Abresham, also known as Silk Bridge, border crossing in 2011[1]
Zaranj is located in Afghanistan
Zaranj
Zaranj
Location in Afghanistan
Coordinates: 30°57′36″N 61°51′36″E / 30.96000°N 61.86000°E / 30.96000; 61.86000
Country Afghanistan
ProvinceNimruz Province
DistrictZaranj District
Government
 • MayorMaulvi Nooruddin Hamza[2]
Elevation
476 m (1,562 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • City
49,851
 • Urban
160,902[3]
Time zoneUTC+4:30
Map

Zaranj (Persian/Pashto/Balochi: زرنج) is a city in southwestern Afghanistan, which has a population of 160,902 people as of 2015.[4] It is the capital of Nimruz Province and is linked by highways with Lashkargah and Kandahar to the east, Farah to the north and the Iranian city of Zabol to the west.

The Abresham border crossing is located to the west of Zaranj, on the Afghanistan–Iran border.[5][1][6] It is one of three important trade-routes that connect Central Asia, East Asia and South Asia with the Middle East.[7] Zaranj Airport is located some 13 miles (21 km) to the east of the city.

The history of Zaranj dates back over 2500 years and Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar, founder of the Saffarid dynasty, was born in this old civilization.

  1. ^ a b "Abresham Crossing Between Afghanistan & Iran Reopens After Nearly Two Weeks". Khaama Press. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. ^ کار ترمیم سرک های شهر زرنج مرکز نیمروزآغاز شد. آژانس خبری باختر (in Persian). 21 November 2021.
  3. ^ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". Archived from the original on 31 October 2015.
  4. ^ "The State of Afghan Cities Report 2015". Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Trade activities at Abresham crossing drastically down". Pajhwok Afghan News. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Closure of Abrisham Crossing With Iran Creates Obstacles for Afghans". TOLOnews. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  7. ^ "China stresses on reviving "Silk Road" in Afghanistan". Ariana News. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2023.