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Afghanistan
Capital: KabulAfghanistan - very ancient country which was under the power of the Greek, Indian, Iranian, Arabian and Mongolian governors, therefore the quantity of the diversified monuments of history is simply huge. Beautiful mountains, valleys and lakes create bewitching unearthly landscape. However, because of an astable political situation the country is inaccessible to visiting of tourists. The most safe way to visit Afghanistan is to arrive in country capital - Kabul. This city is rather safe for tourists. Here it is necessary to visit the Kabul museum, with a magnificent collection of Buddhist exhibits, and a garden of Babur. Kabul has some good restaurants and the clubs which doors are hospitably opened for foreigners. If it will be possible to obtain the permit for travel out of capital it is necessary to visit a valley of Paghman to the West from Kabul where among gardens and mountains rich country houses of the old Afghani nobility are located. The second-large city of Jelalabad was in due time the attractive winter resort literally lost among thickets of a cypress and blossoming orchards. Mazar-i-Sharif is known for the mosque in which there is a tomb of a caliph of Ali, the son-in-law of prophet Mohammed. The city of Herat located close to the Iranian border always was rather safe place for travellers. Here it is necessary to examine walls of an old city and the Great Mosque. In a city of Ghazni ruins of "old Ghazni» and two majestic towers in height of 43 metres are attractive. The city of Kandahar in all centuries was famous for east markets, here some fine mosques and a tomb of the first emir of Afghanistan Ahmad Shaha.  Afghanistan - the state in the southwest of Central Asia, not having an outlet to the sea. In the north borders on Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, in the east - with China, India. History Afghanistan is mentioned for the first time in VI century BC when it has been included in the Persian empire Ahemenidov. About 330 years BC Afghanistan has been won by Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death the country was under the power of the Greek, Indian and Iranian governors. In the middle of VII century AD the country was won by Arabs, whose influence has appeared the strongest and proceeded till 1220 when the country was won by Genghis Khan armies. Under the power of Mongols the country was till XIV century. Power of radical Afghans has started to grow in a XVII-th century and in 1747 after the next revolt against the Iranian sovereignty there was a first Afghani state led by the emir Ahmad Shahom whom named "the Pearl of the Century". However subsequently emirat has broken up. In the beginning of a XIX-th century after the anarchy period in power in Afghanistan there is Dost Muhammad the Khan who has accepted in 1835 a title of the emir. From the middle of a XIX-th century Russia and Great Britain combated for influence on the country, in 1907 between them the contract on a recognition of integrity of Afghanistan has been signed. Till 1973 Afghanistan remained a monarchy. In 1973 as a result of a military coup d'etat the republic has been proclaimed. In 1978 there was a next bloody revolution in which result to the power Revolutionary council has come. In the end of December, 1979 the Soviet armies which were there till February, 15th, 1989 have entered into Afghanistan. The limited contingent took active part in operations therefore 15000 Soviet soldiers were lost at least. However and after a withdrawal of Soviet troops civil war proceeded and on April, 16th, 1992 armies of rebels have grasped Kabul. However, and after that between various fractions operations proceed. As last example to it is served by fights between the governmental armies and powerful grouping "Taliban" with the centre in Kandahar. Afghanistan is a member of the United Nations, the World bank, IMF. Climate Subtropical, continental, droughty, with sharp daily and annual fluctuations of temperatures. In Kabul which is at height of 1830 m above sea level, cold winters and warm summer in July + 25. °s, in January from 0°С to + 7°С). Loss of deposits, mainly in the winter and in the spring, does not exceed 375 mm. On northern plain average temperature of July + 30°С, January + 2°С (at the minimum temperatures to - 20 °s). Only in the southeast of Afghanistan where action of the Indian monsoon affects, summer rains are observed, and hillsides here receive to 800 mm of deposits. In Dzhe-lalabade (550 m above sea level) a climate subtropical, in Kandahar (1070 m above sea level) - soft. The population The population aggregate number is estimated approximately in 31,9 million persons, about 6,5 million Afghans now lives outside of the country. The national structure is very diverse: pushtuny (pahtun, pashto) - 42 %, Tadjiks - 27 %, hazara (hazarejtsy - iranojazychnye Shiits of the Mongolian origin) - 9 %, Uzbeks - 9 %, beludzhi (balohi) - 2 %, charajmaki, Tadjiks, Turkmans and other people. Religion Islam - official religion of Afghanistan. About 80 % of the population practise Islam sunnitskogo sense, to 19 % - Islam of Shiit sense, also is induisty and sikhi (mainly in Jelalabad, Kabul and Kandahar). Kitchen The Afghani kitchen - one of the most ancient on a planet. In an everyday life Afghans manage rather poor set of dishes - various variants plova and a shish kebab, every possible dense soups, rice and pasta accompanied by indispensable flat cakes "naan", cheese and tea. The great value is occupied with milk and dairy products. However, even despite long-term war and scarcity of assortment of products (prirodno-environmental conditions bolshej parts of territory of the country are very uneasy for cultivation of agricultural cultures), the best samples of local cookery are widely known outside of Afghanistan. National meal The most typical Afghani dish - "shish-kebab", representing a kind of a shish kebab with the slices of meat strung on skewers, fat and vegetables. Are very similar to it "jacket-kebab", or "kyofta-kebab" (prepares from rublenogo meat with onions), "shami-kebab" from rublenogo the meat mixed with jajtsom and vegetable mashed potatoes, "mortuaries-kebab" (from meat of a chicken), "tas-kebab" (the beef fried in boiling oil, then boiled in fault) and other "kebaby", however by more steadfast consideration all these dishes very considerably differ from each other, and prepare them a little differently, than in other countries of the Central Asia. The second for the importance and distribution a dish - plov which is totaled also by tens kinds, including "kabli-pilav", or "kabuli-pilav" (plov from rice and jagnjatiny with it is thin the cut carrots and raisin), and also "palau-e-shahs" (plov from rice, jagnjatiny, kurdjuchnogo fat, raisin, pistachios and a carnation). In plov fowl, beef or mutton rebryshki, and also various vegetables and set of spices can be used. Also are popular tushennaja with vegetables mutton, "feed-sabzi" (stewed beef or jagnjatina with spinach, spices and a vegetable garnish), "forage" (the same "feed-sabzi", only instead of spinach yellow peas "daul-nahud" are used), "jacket", or "kyofta" (original meat quenelles), "kurma" (zharennoe fowl with onions and tomatoes), a stewed lamb in own juice "chainaki", and also set of simple dishes from a hem and other offal with fig. Usually to plovu and to other meat dishes move yoghurt, cheese, salty vegetables "torshi", a piquant sauce, and also various garnishes from meat, grain, vegetables or bean. So a wide circulation soups, first of all "shorba" ("shurpa") with rice or "shorma" with vegetables, zharennaja in milk river fish have "shir-moves", every possible broths (meat to them moves separately), "mushava" - soup from bean and yoghurt and other. Vegetative dishes include ubiquitous "burani" ("borani") from an eggplant, an onions and tomatoes ("burani-bonzhan" - with yoghurt, "kadu-burani" - with a pumpkin etc.) "turshi-bonzhan" (a salty stuffed eggplant), "bonzhan-salad" (salad from eggplants), "olva" (similarity of the fried cream of wheat), "sher-berindzh" (a rice pudding), "osh" (noodles with bean, meat and yoghurt), "chatni-gashniz" (chatni with a coriander), "osh-pozi" (stuffed onions), "oshi-zhur-routi" (rice with a yellow string bean), original pelmeni "ashtak" (are filled with vegetables, meat and an onions), "mantu" (kletski with meat and an onions, are really similar on manty), "samusi-jirakot" - (semicircular pies with a stuffing from vegetables, meat and cheese), and also simple boiled rice with various seasonings and a boiled or fried potato ("kartoff-mumulaj"). Spices are very various, since traditional karri or the ground stones of grapes submitted to meat dishes, and finishing "havaje" (a mix of a ground coriander, black pepper, caraway seeds and kurkumy) or sauce from black pepper, vinegar and oil. All dishes are accompanied by flat and long flat cakes "naan" which do practically of any flour which have got under a hand (sometimes in the dough add a potato or an onions), and more often them do not bake, and fry on an iron frying pan in clay furnaces or on the stones heated in the centre. For a dessert move "firni" (a dairy pudding with pistachios), tens kinds of halvah, "bichak" (original pies from pumpkin mashed potatoes with meat, cheese and even jam, move both hot, and cold), cookies "gosh-fil", sweet puddings, and also the candied nutlets, vegetables and fruit. In the country various local fruits for a dessert - sladchajshie melons (are especially good mazari-sharifskie and majmanskie), grapes, a pomegranate (the best grades - from Kandahar), apples, pears, apricots, oranges (are good dzhelalabadskie), here, plums, and also walnuts, pistachios and almonds - favourite local snack are grown up. Drinks National drink, undoubtedly, is tea ("teas"), both black, and green which is consumed in extreme quantities. Usually tea is made very strong and moves without sugar, in small (on 2-3 cups) a metal teapot. Alcoholic drinks in this Islamic country can be found only import and only in the institutions focused on Europeans. Afghans afford only a special low alcohol drink from sbrozhennogo milk like koumiss. Safety Despite an uneasy situation with the general political stability in the country and constant skirmishes between numerous local groupings, Afghanistan is enough safe country. In big cities at every turn representatives of forces of the Coalition, local army and police, and in a province the order is supported by groups of local communities, and both those and others rigidly enough and uncompromisingly carry out the functions (often so rigidly that they can represent much bigger danger, than hypothetical terrorists). It concerns also to the general hostility of a foreign military contingent to tourists, and aspirations of local bodies of the law and order in every possible way to protect the tourist from "the troubles", pouring out usually in a policy "to hold and not pushchat". In this case it is necessary to address at once to officers of bodies of the law and order (easily to distinguish on white cockardes on headdresses) whom it is ready terpimee and it is more correct than the subordinates. The separate problem is represented by attempt of many local residents frankly to "earn additionally" on foreigners, increasing the price on anything you like at the sight of that in times. Usually it concerns journalists and representatives of the international humanitarian organisations whom Afghans frankly gather, therefore in the presence of a step and ability to speak this problem it is easy enough to bypass - to usual tourists the relation here absolutely other - friendly and interested, irrespective of a nationality. Many western editions strenuously advance the thesis that in Afghanistan threat of abduction and murder of foreigners, especially out of Kabul is highest, however the passionless statistics asserts that here it happens not more often, than in Pakistan or northern areas of India. At observance of local customs and banal receptions of maintenance of a personal security to travel across Afghanistan is not more difficult at all, than on any other country of region. The main danger - mines and not broken off ammunition, which in the local earth extreme quantity. Cities and large settlements are checked carefully up by sappers, and many visited places are cleared of mines, however ruins and their vicinities often are larded by "silent death" literally. The cleared away sites usually are designated by numbers of white stones or the tags, dangerous - red. However many and many hundreds kilometres of roadsides, fields, gorges and passes conceal till now in themselves explosive tons, therefore to depart from the laid tracks it is possible only accompanied by conductor well knowing district. However and they are not a firm guarantee of safety - opposing groups often expose charges on already cleared of mines sites. Especially it is a lot of them on roadsides of roads round large military bases, round the padded or broken combat material and on mountain streamers. It is not necessary to lift from the earth seemed interesting subjects - many of them can appear mines-traps or their elements. The special attention should be turned on safety of women. They are recommended to appear in streets only accompanied by the man, to wear the modest clothes as much as possible closing a body (trousers or long skirts) and to cover a head with a scarf. It is not necessary to sit down in unfamiliar cars (even to members of UN peace-keeping forces!) and to accept offers of strangers to visit shop or a bench - all it only accompanied by men, and only in the afternoon. Laws and traditions It is not recommended to come nearer to military bases and their perimetres and furthermore - to photograph military facilities and representatives of forces of the law and order. Also it is not necessary to get the camera in mosques, in areas of large strategic objects (the airports, bridges etc.) or to try to photograph local women (the man if at them to ask on that permissions, are photographed with pleasure). Access to mosques and on territory of some mazarov for women is closed, but always it is possible to ask council local residents about relevance of visiting of such objects - in some northern areas it is not forbidden, especially, besides, accompanied by the man. Entry rules The visa regime operates for all citizens, except the Islamic travellers who are coming back from visiting of Mecca and Medina. THE VISA Also the valid passport for travel abroad is necessary for all travellers. Some simplification of a visa regime is given to journalists, business travellers, members of the Red Cross and representatives of the charitable and medical organisations. For visa reception it is necessary to make preliminary inquiry in embassy of Afghanistan or representing its interests abroad embassy of Pakistan, and also to give the letter-inquiry from the Afghani citizen or the organisation, the questionnaire-statement in English, the valid passport, 1 photo of passport size and to pay gathering. Departure from the country also demands permission reception. Tourist and transit visas by mail are not made out. How to reach There is a set of ways to get to Afghanistan (by planes, trains, buses). In addition Kabul
The country capital is located in the centre of east part Afghanistan, in a valley of the river with the same name, at height about 1800 metres above sea level (one of the most high-mountainous capitals in the world). The main economic and cultural centre of the country based by Baburom in 1504 as capital of Mogolsky empire, Kabul has also strategic value because of affinity to the important pass Hajber (Hajbersky pass, 1030) in mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 1747 Kabul became a part of the independent Afghani state, having replaced in 1770th years in a capital Kandahar role. Now it is picturesque enough, though and considerably suffered from events of last years, a city occupied mainly by Tadjiks and gradually restoring the infrastructure. Its main sights still there are numerous mosques (masdzhid): the Vazir-akbar-khan, Sherpur (Hadzhi-Jakub, 1957), Bullets-hishti (the end of XVIII century, it is restored at the Zahir-shah in the late sixties), the Shah-to-shamshira (the Mosque of the master of two swords, the beginning of XX century, is restored in 2002) near to the mausoleum Timur-shah, the centre of carrying out of many national and religious celebratings - a mosque of Idga (Idgah, XVIII century), still under construction Masdzhid-Abdurrahman and others. Many of them have medrese, known on all country and abroad. Old monuments of capital concern: the mausoleum of "the iron emir" the Kabr-emir-abdurrahmana (it is initially constructed in 1880-1901 as a palace) in park Zarnegar at the area of Pushtunistan; an ancient citadel of Ball-gissar (under legends, has been based in V century d.C. legendary "white gunnami") with its almost 30-kilometre wall stretched on southern slopes of a ridge of Sher-Darvaza (unfortunately, has remained no more than 20 % of this construction, but even they are quite often inaccessible to visiting - in vicinities many minefields, and the fortress is occupied by army garrison); a fort Pricked-Pushta in northern part of a city; the mausoleum Timur-shah (1816), transferred capital from Kandahar to Kabul; the well-known gardens of Babura (Bahi-Baber, XVII century) in a southern part of a city with a mosque (1640) Summer pavilion Abdurrahmana and tombs of the emir, his wife, the daughter and emperor Dzhahangira; a Christian cemetery of Shahri-Nau, a palace of Darulaman (Daruljaman, the beginning of XX century, modern residence of parliament of the country), and also a republic Palace (1883) - present president residence and the country governments. The national museum of Afghanistan (Muzjam-e-Milli, it is opened from Monday till Wednesday, from 8.00 till, on Thursdays - from 8.00 till), Darulaman close to a palace, in due time was one of the largest collections tsentralnoaziatskogo art and historical meetings in the world. In board "Taliban" the most part of collections has been simply plundered, and only third of exposition up to now has remained. However the collection is gradually restored, and even that part of subjects that has escaped, allows to rank this museum as number of the best in region. Also are worthy a modest Kabul zoo (the Bahi-ball park, the area of Pushtunistan with its most popular cinema of "Ariana", prestigious area the Vazir-akbar-khan round the mosque with the same name is opened from 6.00 till daily) in area Navabad, a monument to the leader of Northern alliance Ahmad-shah Masudu (2004) and even the Kabul golf club on Karha-Roud (the road conducts to a dam and a picturesque water basin of Karha. Round Kabul also many interesting places - lake-land Karha in 9 km from a city, fascinating gorge of Tanga-Garu on the way to Jelalabad, reserve of Chords-kabul, picturesque valleys of Guldara (the Valley of colours) and Logar, a mortar of Shevaki and Minar-and-chakari in 17 km from capital, ruins of several mortars, monasteries and defensive walls near Jahdara, lying to the north from Kabul tiny village Kala-and-hadzhi-sahib with the big mausoleum and a unique mosque on style of this respected sufija XVIII centuries, nearby Tadjik village Deh-Jahijja (the native land of Hadzhi-Sahiba), a relic the Pasha-sahiba (known sufist and the mystic of XVIII century) in Shares-minar, village of Hvadzha-Moscow swindles with its relics, a victory Arch, gardens of Darra and a mosque in Pagmane, and also a charming summer palace of emir Habibully (the beginning of XX century) near to this small town. The Ottoman, ruins induistskogo complex VII-IX near Tapa-Iskander are not less interesting centuries a valley of Pagman to the West from capital where among gardens and mountains rich country houses of the old Afghani nobility, a valley of Shomali, picturesque village of handicraftsmen and artists of Ishtalif in a fertile valley Kokh-Daman to the north from Kabul are located, terrasnye gardens more low (Kokh-Daman was one of the centres of distribution of this religion and on its territory the set of historical monuments is scattered: Serai-Hodzha, Deh-Kepak, etc.), and also about ten archaeological sites, generally the thrown. And to the north of capital, from Bahi-ball suburb, the road on Hooks and znamenityjpereval Salang connecting capital with northern areas of the country begins. Lengthways are expensive it is possible to see ruins buddistskoj mortars of Top-Darra, a place of Gulgundai where every year (April-May) is spent festival Argavan, a city of smiths of Charikar, snow-white trehsotmetrovye dunes of Reg-Ravan, excavation buddistskih monasteries of Paitava and Shotorak on a hill Kokhs-Pahlavan (the medieval city of Kapisa here settled down), old hydroelectric power station in the most beautiful spurs of Hindu Kush near the Dzhabal-moustache-seradzh (light Mountain), a tunnel of Salanga (it is constructed by the Soviet experts in 1964 at height nearby 3363) and glacial lakes over it (more often them name Hidden, or Secret lakes), a picturesque valley of Firishtakan, and also the trout rivers Hindzhan and Anderab. Pandzhsher The beautiful gorge of the mountain river Pandzhsher (Five lions) lies in the northeast of Afghanistan. The mountain province with the same name is occupied by Tadjiks (pandzhani) and is widely known for beauty of the mountains, characteristic local constructions from the burnt clay, collected in reminding beer honeycombs of settlement, and also heaps of the broken military technology on roadsides. But more all these places are known as the native land "pandzhsherskogo a lion" Ahmad-shah Masuda - the field commander who has become famous at first for the actions against the Soviet armies, and then as leader of Northern alliance - the unique Afghani formation which has entered struggle against Talibs. Here, between Dzhangalakom (native village Masuda), Honizom and capital of a province of Bazarak, its memorial tomb (an input inside free, it is necessary only, as well as everywhere in the country to remove footwear before a threshold) is located also. Also the beautiful mountain lake Andzhuman and the pass (4450) with the same name, a unique archaeological site of Kapisa (Begram) near the Kabul line and buddistskaja a mortar of Ooli-Nadir about it, the magnificent park Bahi-Umumi, one of the most beautiful in the country gorge Havak and the river Pandzhsher, five picturesque valleys of Kashkana, ruins saffaridskoj (X century) capitals of a province near Gavara, the first iron suspension bridge of Afghanistan (it is constructed by English experts in 1911) over Gulbaharom, a relic the Hadzhi-woman behind pass Garav (Gharau), nut woods of valleys of Chardeha, beautiful lake Naglu and nearby "capital of shepherds" Tagao, a complex of mosques and the mausoleum Kala-and-hadzhi-sahib, fascinating gorge of Tanga-ashes and a beautiful valley of Guldara (the Valley of colours) with an archaeological site of Saka (Buddhist ruins of IV century d.C.) are widely known. Nuristan
Lying in 300 km to the east Kabul the poor and remote historical area of Nuristan (the Earth of light) is a part of provinces of Kunar and Badahshan and almost all is located within five valleys of picturesque foothills of Hindu Kush. These earths called long time the Earth incorrect (Kafiristan) as to the XIX-th century middle local tribes desperately resisted to Islam acceptance (even great Tamerlan could not subdue these earths), and only the campaign Kabul "the iron emir" Abdurrahmana in 1895 has broken their resistance. Till now here the set of the local adverbs entering, by the way, in a separate branch indoevropejskih of languages is used, the shape of mountaineers is not similar to a phenotype of Afghans - here many people with quite "European" appearance and blue eyes, and the clothes and music are considerably excellent even from the nearest neighbours. Tourists here do not get almost because of remoteness and bad roads (and also, in not smaller degree, because of appreciable counteraction of forces of the law and order) though here is on what to look - the nature of Nuristana dika and is untouched, and it is not less historical monuments, than in any other region of the country (however, a question of their safety costs as sharply).  Balh
Northern province of Balh lies on the earths of legendary Bactria, or Baktriany known still since Zarathustra (here he was born, and in these edges it had first followers). Bactria in the ancient time was famous for the cavalry (whether surprisingly, what one of two breeds of the camels who were so successfully used for this purpose, is called till now baktrianami?), fantastic fertility of the earths and independence of the people, however greatest of ellinisticheskih the antiquity states here prospered - empire Selevkidov and the Greek-Baktrijsky kingdom, and here the Greek language has been extended not less, than local dialects. Even after falling of mighty empires this earth has kept the unique culture and traditions, and its historical monuments enter into number of the best in region. Chief town of an ancient kingdom was Old Balk, ilibalh as it is accepted to name it today. One of the most ancient cities of the planet, mentioned in Vedah and Aveste as Bahdi, it was the native land of Zoroastra (Zarathustra) and its possible place of a burial place, capital of Baktrijsky empire and the Kushansky kingdom. In VII century d.C. the city has been destroyed by Arabs, but by 725 year is restored, then again wiped off the face of the earth Genghis Khan armies (1220-1221), but during an epoch Samanidov and Timuridov becomes again the important centre of trade and a political life of region. Today the unique historical kernel of the Old city surrounded with nine-metre walls in the general extent about 11 km (towers of southern contour have remained in quite decent condition), is considered one of the most interesting objects of the country. Here it is possible to see ruins of an ancient city of the Ball-hissar, lying in the Central park and the mausoleum of seminary student Hodzha-Abu-Nasr-Parsa revetted with tiles (XV-XVI centuries) with a nearby tomb of Rabii Balhi (the known Persian poetess) and medrese the Said-subkhan-kuli-khan from whom only arch gate (have remained XVII century); the earliest Islamic monument in Afghanistan - a beautiful mosque Masdzhidi-but-gumbad, or Masdzhidi-Hadzhi-Pijada (IX century); the Bog-rustam hill under which the Buddhist pagoda (III century BC), a hill of Tahti-Rustam is based - the location is no time a huge Buddhist monastery (in VI century d.C. here was more than hundred these cult constructions) and a prospective place of origin zoroastrizma, and halfway between Balhom and Mazar-i-Sharif there are ruins of a relic and a mosque the Tahti-pool. Province capital - it is possible to translate Mazar-i-Sharif, whose name as "the Noble relic" or "the Sacred tomb", lies all in 19 km from Balha. The city has been built round a prospective tomb of Caliph Hazrata Ali, or Ali of the bin-Talib, the son-in-law of prophet Mohammed (the tomb has not remained as has been destroyed by Genghis Khan soldiers though an official place of a burial place of Ali the mausoleum in Nadzhafe is considered, Iraq). The burial place of this esteemed sacred serves as a worship place, and round it the well-known complex of Rozii-Sharif, or Hazrat-Ali (the Blue mosque), being the main sight of a city is built. Bamian
The province Bamian lies severo-to the west capitals, on northern slopes of a ridge the Woman and in a valley Bamian, at heights about 2590 m. It is one of the most ancient cultural centres of region, in II centuries d.C. mentioned as the large religious and political centre. Its main sight until recently were two unique sculptures of the Buddha (38 and 55 m in height), cut out between II and V centuries d.C. in a hillside in the top part of a valley. However in 2001 Talibs have blown up these unique statues, and now here it is possible to see only a heap of stones, there is no time hiding statues of a niche in a rock and the whole cave complex (about 750 caves) to Kafirkala in whom there lived monks and pilgrims from all Asia. Capital of a province and its main transport centre - the city of Bamiannahoditsja below caves. As well as the majority of cities of region, it is very old (the first mentions of it concern to V-VII centuries) and has been completely destroyed by Genghis Khan armies. Now it is sad enough city in which usually nobody is late. However in its vicinities it is possible to find out ruins of fortresses of Shahri-Golgola, or Shahri-Gulgula (the City of sighs, V-IX centuries), and Shahri-Zohak (IX-XIII centuries, 15 km to the east of Bamian), numerous caves with traces of a wall list (V-VII centuries) in a valley of Foladi, by miracle escaped small (nearby 6) statues of the Buddha in a valley of Kakrak, and also is bright-dark blue karstic lakes Bandi-Amir (75 km to the West from Bamian). Ghazni The province of Ghazni lies in 140 km jugo-to the west Kabul, at height of 2225 metres above sea level. Its capital is the city with the same name, under a name of Gazna known since VII century as the brisk centre of the Buddhism. However in IX century the city has been entirely destroyed, but restored by Arabs and transformed into capital of huge empire Gaznavidov. In 1151 of Ghazni again collapses armies of Gorida Alauddina and it is again restored, but in 1221 of an army of Genghis Khan again wipe its off the face of the earth. And again Ghazni rises from ruins that in XVI century to enter into empire of Moguls, and in 1747, at Ahmad-shah Derrani, in structure of the Afghani kingdom. So rough and the city tragic story has destroyed almost all it there is no time the well-known monuments. However up to now send in addition a citadel of Ghazni (XIII-XVII centuries) - one of the most impressive fortresses of Afghanistan, the well-known minarets of Ghazni - east and western (they are XI century), a tomb of sultan Mahmuda Gazna (XI century) In a garden of Bahi-Firuzi, or Rauza, and a tomb of his father Sebuktidzhina on a slope to the north from the minarets, almost the remains which have completely disappeared under a layer of earth of a palace of sultan Masuda III (XI century), the mausoleum of one of the famous poets of a city - Sanai (XI century) on an old cemetery to the north from the river, carefully restored tomb of Abdul Razzaka, and also huge buddistskaja a mortar (III-VI centuries, height to 22), found out during excavation on a hill of Tepe-Sardar. And the city is known today mainly for the fine market on which the goods from all Afghanistan and the surrounding countries are flown down. The card of Ghazni are its silver products and raincoats from the embroidered sheepskin and a skin "pustin", or "pushti" which are, perhaps, the main goods in the local markets. Jalalabad
The capital of area of Nangarhar located jugo-to the east of Kabul and adjoining on Pakistan, is the ancient shopping centre connecting regions of the Central Asia through Hajbersky pass with India and Pakistan. The city lies in the present a mountain oasis where grow up oranges, rice and a sugar cane, therefore it is no wonder what exactly these edges have been chosen for placing of capital of an ancient kingdom of Gandara. The city has been erected by Baburom and its grandson Akbarom - legendary governors of a dynasty of Great Moguls, and then it long time was winter capital of the country. Jelalabad has strongly suffered during tragical events of the middle-end of the XX-th century, and it there are numerous sights almost are completely destroyed. However there is a hope that except the almost done not suffer complex of the mausoleum of emir Habibully and its relatives, in the near future will be restored a palace of Seradzh-ul-Emorat (1910) and "royal gardens" Bahi-shahs. In vicinities of Jelalabad many historical places, as it is no wonder - on poverjam in these parts lived the Buddha in one of the reincarnations. The most considerable archaeological site of region the village Adda is considered (11 km jugo-to the east Jelalabad) round which it is revealed about thousand buddistskih mortars and a complex of a Buddhist monastery Topa-and-shotor (however, safety of these monuments also raises the big doubts), the city of Mehtarlam with its relic of Mehtar-Lamak among the extensive gardens stretched on a terrace over a dry channel of the river, and also village Nimla with gardens of Moguls. In 180 km jugo-to the east Jelalabad the 53-kilometre pass in a mountain chain of Hindu Kush, the connecting Afghanistan with Pakistan begins znamenityjhajbersky pass-. Having in the narrowest part width only 3 metres, this pass has long and frequently a tragic story. Here Aryan tribes have found a way to Southern Asia, here armies Darija (VI century BC) Have laid a way to Punjab and India, in 326 to n. e this way have passed Alexander the Great armies in them "a throw to Indus", armies of Arabs and the tataro-Mongols, brought Islam to India went this pass, and through Hajber British have intruded in Afghanistan - and it only an insignificant share of aggressors passing here. As a result this narrow strip of the mountain earth surrounded with rocks in height to 300 metres, is the witness of the considerable quantity of armies of intrusion in the history of mankind. But it also the major site of trading ways, an element of the well-known Great silk way and many karavannyh tracks, and neighbouring slopes store many interesting historical places and possibilities for productive leisure, therefore here frequently it is not less tourists, than dealers. Herat The most northwest province of Afghanistan, Herat lies in spurs of ridges of Siahkoh and Safedkoh. The province capital, the city of Herat (from Kabul) is considered 550 km one of the most beautiful and most ancient cities of Afghanistan, and date of its basis carry at least to V century B.C. For possession this convenient strategic centre Alexander the Great and Arabs struggled, Tamerlan (made in 1381 its capital) and Ahmad-shah Derrani, and today it is the largest trading and export centre of the country, the greatest city of the western part of Afghanistan. As the main sights of Herat are considered a magnificent Friday mosque of Masdzhidi-Dzhammi (XIII century, the mosque second for height in the world - 65); a complex of Musalla (1417) with six minarets (in more or less whole kind there is only one), the mausoleums of daughter-in-law Tamerlana Gohar-Shad (the complex is an exact copy the Gur-emir in Samarkand) and Alisher Navoi; four falling off minarets of sultan Hussein Bajkara - everything that remains from constructed by it medrese (1417); located in 5 km to the east of city line the Gazar-hectare complex (1425) - a relic sufija Abdulla Ansari and poet Abder-Rahmana Harava, or Dzhami (XV century); nearby old park Tahti-Safar, a central square of Charms-boughs with its four markets, a fortress Kala-and-ihtijaruddin (1305) on a hill in the western part of the Old city, and also the graceful arch bridge of the Bullet-malan (roughly XIV century) To the south from the Old city. The set of samples of architecture of the period Timuridov can be found out in village Kohsan (105 km from Herat). Kandahar Kandahar - the second-large city and the main shopping centre of Afghanistan, capital of the province with the same name in the south of the country and the historical centre pushtunskih tribes. Legends say that the city has been based by Alexander the Great in IV century BC and repeatedly was a part of various empires, from Persian to mogolskoj, however modern Kandahar has been based a little away from an ancient city, practically for no reason Ahmad-shah Durrani. The main treasure of Kandahar - a fragment of a raincoat of the Prophet - is in a mosque Yes-kerka-sarif-ziarat. Access to it for nemusulman is impossible, however it is possible to see other city monuments - the graceful octagonal mausoleum Ahmad-shah Durrani (XVIII century), a citadel of Ark (XVIII-XIX centuries), a mosque of Dzhame-Mui-Mobarak (a mosque of Hair of the Prophet, XIX century), the central floor space of Charms-boughs with its streets-markets Herats-markets, the Shah-market, Kabul-market and the Shikarpur-market; the area of Shahidanu-Chouk (the area of the Fallen martyrs) with a small monument (1946-1948); a relic the Hazratzhi-woman (XVII century) ; A Kandahar museum; the ladder constructed ostensibly by Baburom and a grotto of Shihl-Zina ("Forty steps", 4 km to the west of a city); ruins of an old city the Zor-sphere nearby (old Kandahar has been destroyed in 1738 by armies of Persian shah Afshara) with its ruins of a palace of Kasri-Noranie; a relic the World-sahib; the mausoleum the World-vais-woman (10 km to the west of a city); relics the Woman-bring down in 8 km to the north of Kandahar (the valley in which this monument is located, has become famous for numerous fights between the Afghani and British armies in the middle of XIX century) and Sher-Surh (the Red lion, 5 km to the south of a city, here there took place crowning Ahmad-shah in 1747), and also the archaeological site of a bronze age largest in the country in Mundigake (56 km to the south of a city). The large quantity of mountain ridges, picturesque valleys and unique environment give excellent conditions for active kinds of rest, but owing to the known reasons this kind of tourism here practically is not developed. Fine natural conditions for tourism have northern areas Karez-ah-amir, vicinities of Charikara and a valley of Chakardara, mountain areas of Hindu Kush, and also the river Badahshana and Samangana. Iran
Capital: TeheranMoney: the Iranian rial (IRR, IR), 1 USD = 9186.0 IRR Time zone: GMT +4 The description Iran - the country of the present exotic. The thousand-year history and bright Muslim colour, and also rather a small amount of tourists will make travel to Iran really unforgettable acquaintance to unique culture. The state Iran - is obvious not that place where go to sunbathe or have a good time in night clubs, but for travellers who wish to study culture of the country, to get acquainted with a way of life of people and historical sights is an ideal possibility to receive weight of impressions. Iran - one of the centres of occurrence of a civilisation on a planet, the birthplace of one of the greatest empires of the world and one of the most original countries of Asia. The extensive country stretched from the warm sea to snow mountain tops, Iran has a unique set of rather interesting monuments which can be considered as property of all civilisation. In country bowels the richest historical relics are hidden: ancient ruins, dilapidated cities, statues and archeological excavations of ancient dynasties meet here continually. Travellers will find here ancient cities, many of which quite comfortably feel and presently, unique samples of art and architecture, with precious oases and green woods of mountain areas, a strange story, only which official sources total waterless deserts about 5 thousand years, and the original people with their unique culture, examples of thousand-year coexistence of the most different religious communities and one of the societies most closed on the earth, the enormous cultural heritage carefully preserved, nesmotrja on any peripetias of history, and century traditions of arts and crafts. All these contrasts also do Iran by unrealizable dream of many travellers. Geography
Iran - one of the largest states of
Southwest Asia (the area of 1,65 million in sq. km). In the north Iran
is washed by waters of Caspian sea, in the south - the Persian and
Omansky gulfs. Borders on Turkey (in the northwest), Afghanistan and
Pakistan (in the east), Iraq (in the west), and also with the countries
of the former USSR - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan (in the north).
Along the Caspian coast mountains Elburs with the highest point of the
country - a volcano Demavend (5604 m.) were stretched. In the country
centre there are deserts Deshte-Kevir (the Big Salty desert) and
Deshte-Lut. In Iran few the big rivers, the main river - Karun. The
largest lake - salty lake Urmia.History The history of Iran, or the Persian history, originates since 6 centuries BC when in region tsar Kir Great Ahamenitov from a dynasty began to operate. The dynasty Ahamenitov has based the first Persian Empire which was a prototype of modern Iran. In 4 century BC Alexander the Great has grasped Persia, after the victories over Greece, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Despite three peace proposals of Darija III, Alexander has grasped Shush. From here it has directed the armies through mountains on the east and has grasped Persepolis. After Alexander's death in 323 year BC, its empire has been divided into three parts which three dynasties operated. Governors of Persia of a steel of Seleusidy. But it was difficult to them to supervise numerous ethnic groups, in particular a tribe of nomads of Parfjan which have occupied the most part of Persia and Sasanity have held on here till 3 centuries AD have come from the central regions of Persia which were not under the control parfjan. They have brought with themselves zoroastrizm and have started to develop cities and trade, but as a result of them Arabs who have come here in 637 year AD have superseded Arabs have held on here till 1050. They have turned local population into Islam, have entered the new Persian alphabet and have introduced Islamic culture. Arabs were superseded by Turks who in 1051 took Isfahan. Despite numerous revolts, Turks have kept the domination in region till 13 century when Genghis Khan hordes here have come. In the end of 14 centuries the power of Mongols oslabla, and in Iran was established a dynasty Timuridov, but upon it put pressure tribes of Turkmans, Turks-osmannov and the European colonists-Portugueses. At board of a dynasty Safavidov (1502-1722) Iran was a part of huge Persian Empire. Great Shah Abbas I and its successors have kept a Shiism and have restored Isfagan, but this dynasty has fallen in the beginning of 18 centuries, after intrusion of Afghans. In 1779 Aga Mohammed Han has united Turkish gajarov has entered into Iran and has transferred capital to Teheran. Governors-gajary peacefully corrected in Iran till 1921, and they managed to adhere to a neutrality during the First World War, but it was not possible to avoid partial occupation of Iran by the British armies, aspiring to establish the control over oil. One of last governors-gajarov has put forward idea of elections and legislative assembly (Madzhlisa), but the idea managed to be embodied only to the Persian khan Reza who became the first prime minister in 1923. During the Second World War Iran kept a neutrality, but British and Russian have established here influence spheres not to start up here Germany. After war Americans have insisted on leaving of Russian from region, and the young Mohammed Reza who has received the absolute power, began to come into contacts to the West. Within 30 years in the country there was vnutrennja a struggle between the power and its opponents. As a result, on January, 16th, 1979 the shah has left the country. And some weeks after the recognised leader ajatolla Khomeini, the head of opposition, have returned from exile, and have created the Islamic Republic based on Islamic fundamentalism. During its board there was an irano-Iraq war in which were lost hundred thousand persons. Also, relations from the USA have seriously become complicated. The reason, first of all, in huge stocks of oil which Iran owns. And at present Iran in general enters in so-called "a harm axis" thought up by the American government. Nevertheless, Iran actively develops economy, a science and culture. In a society even dialogue about softening of dogmatic usages, however is carried on while it has not given results, in a kind of very strong Muslim tradition in the country.  Climate of Iran - subtropical in the north and tropical in the south, generally - continental and continental mountain. The coast of the Persian and Omansky gulfs is in a zone of a hot and damp tropical climate, the temperature fluctuates from +16-18°С in the winter to +24-30°С in the summer, at rather considerable quantity of dropping out deposits (to 1000 mm on slopes of mountains, to 600 mm on ravninnnyh sites). The central areas of the country are in the authorities of a droughty subtropical climate, thus uniformity of weather conditions is strongly deformed by a mountain relief. The temperature here fluctuates from +3-8°С during the winter period to +30-32°С at regular rises in temperature to +40°С and deposits no more than 250 mm a year. In mountain areas Elbursa and Zagros mountains is much more cool (in the summer +16-26°С, in the winter from-4°C to +12°С), and is more damp (deposits drops out to 2000 mm a year). The population The population of Iran - about 69 million persons. In Iran lives more than 60 nationalities, ethnic groups and tribes from which Persians (51 %) are most numerous, Azerbaijanians (24 %), gilaki and other representatives of Turkic tribes (8 %), Kurds (7 %), Arabs (3 %), lury (2 %), Turkmans (2 %), beludzhi, Armenians, etc. Besides constantly live in the country of hundred thousand refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq. Official language of Iran - farsi (Persian). Also Turkic adverbs are used, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabian, etc. English and French languages are used in business circles. As a whole Iranians poorly own foreign languages, and the tourist will have a considerable problem in this respect. Owing to that the country is almost unknown to mass tourism, local residents do not have special stimulus to studying of foreign languages. In large hotels, at offices of airlines, and sometimes the taxi drivers working at the international airports rather not bad know English. Religion Iran - the Muslim state. The basic religion of Iran - Islam of Shiit sense. He is professed by 89 % of the population (a Shiism - the state religion of the country), Moslems-sunnity make 10 % of total number of believers (there are also adherents of other Islamic rumours), some part of the population professes zoroastrizm (0,1 %), a Judaism (0,3 %) and Christianity (0,7 %). All religious communities use full freedom of execution of a cult, protection of the cultural, social and political rights of all religious minority is recognised in the Constitution of Islamic republic Iran. Representatives of all faiths are presented in Medzhlise. Kitchen Unlike the Arabian states, in Iran there is no great number of street cafes and restaurants. And the tourist, as a rule, should spend certain time for search of normal restaurant. Thus, kitchen of Iran - one of the most ancient in the world. Besides, the Iranian kitchen is enough sytna. A basis of many dishes - rice, bread, meat, fresh vegetables, greens and fruit in every possible combinations. Characteristic feature is very small cutting of meat and its rare participation in a meal as the basic product - more often meat is used as a component of difficult dishes. Dishes from rice which here like and prepare quite traditionally are especially picturesque, but on an exit something turns out unimaginably tasty. It is necessary to try rice with vegetables and meat in nut sauce "forehead-horesh", plov "polo" or "forehead", plov with fresh greens "polo-sabzi", sweet-sour rice with raisin, almonds and oranges "polo-chirin" and mnogi other versions. Meat dishes - a basis of the Iranian cookery. Such dishes, as meat rulet "to a jacket gasht", the big meatballs from meat, rice and grasses to "jacket-berendzhi" or meatballs from meat, a nut flour, a saffron and sugar to "jacket-nokodchi", stewed mutton with eggplants "horeshe-badinzhan", meat with vegetables "ab-gusht badinzhan", stuffed eggplants "dolme-badinzhan", pepper with a stuffing from meat and rice "dolme-felfel" or usual dolma in grape sheet "dolme-bargmo" are widely known... In Iran bake excellent bread on quality which always is present on a table in the form of flat cakes or rolls, and only the fresh. Many restaurants even enter bread into the menu separate point therefore as grades its great variety, and everyone has the feature. Desserts of Iran at all their similarity with sweets traditional for the East also possess a number of unique fig. They are not so sweet, as in other countries of region, but are sated various napolniteljami and have very balanced taste. Doughnuts with a pink syrup "bamie", "shir-berenzh", "halvah" from the fried wheat flour, sugar, a saffron, pink water, pistachios and almonds, "raginak" with a walnut, pistachios, cinnamon and cardamom are considered as the present masterpieces of culinary art Iranian "bahlava" with almonds, cardamom, yolks of eggs and milk, "jar-gift-behesht" from a rice flour, starch, pink water and pistachios. National Iranian drink is tea which drink strong, without milk and obzhigajushche the hot. Besides, juice from fresh fruit, dairy cocktails, house yoghurt "mast" and a drink on its basis "duk", and also kefir which consume not only as a drink, but also as a component of many dishes is favourite. Alcohol consumption in Iran is strictly forbidden, therefore even low alcohol drinks here practically not to find, an exception make only beer which that in general is not (actually it is a nonalcoholic malt drink), and wine for religious ceremonies (nemusulmanam is on sale only under the special permission). Safety Iran - safe enough state. Practically on all country it is possible to move fearlessly enough at any time. Suburbs of cities and settlements even taking into account rather low standard of living of local residents are quite safe for movement. In streets many police and other people in the form (local system of security service difficult enough), thus many representatives of law enforcement bodies have the right to demand documents, including from foreigners. Therefore insistently it is recommended to have at itself some copies of the passport, especially the pages containing personal dates and a visa mark, and also the document confirming hotel accommodation. Mutual relation themes between floors and appearance it is still actual in Iran. For men of especial complexities is not present, unless it is not necessary to go in shorts. With girls of nuances it is more. Besides a scarf hiding hair (the bang can be left), it is necessary to choose odezhu, brightening as more as possible up grace of forms. A shirt (the jacket, a sweater) should hide hands to brushes, trousers or a skirt - to cover ankles, as a whole a free cut - to hide a breast, hips etc. The pair travelling together, should watch the gentle impulses. To follow hands it is possible. And here it is impossible to embrace in the street, to kiss - too. It is excessive to say that categorically it is impossible to suppose liberties of more intimate character, for example, to concern backs, a stomach of the companion. The matter is that Iranians will ambiguously apprehend such things. For them it is exclusive wildness. The alcohol cannot be got in shops and even hotels. Beer it is possible to buy only the nonalcoholic. Infringers of "the dry law" are severely punished. Much softer rules in territory of a zone of free trade on island Kish, but also there operate restrictions on spirits. To photograph official bodies, palaces, military facilities and constructions it is strictly forbidden. It is impossible to photograph local women, it is necessary to ask permissions to photographing men. Shooting in the majority of public places, in ports and frontier areas is limited. Necessarily it is necessary to use sun-protection creams and to drink more liquids, it is desirable mineral water or fresh juice. Because of high insoljatsii on all territory of the country at an exit from a premise it is necessary to use a headdress, and eyes to protect the sun glasses which are not passing an ultraviolet. Internet development in the country has begun rather recently, therefore its distribution while is limited, but it develops prompt rates. The main providers - NRI, and Tehran Web - render "Pishgaman-Kavir-Jezd" the services only in big cities in which it is possible to find out not numerous while Internet cafe. It is necessary to mean that similar institutions usually are until late at night overflowed by young Iranians, and it can not appear an empty seat. Censorship on a number of the world resources which visiting is blocked by the Iranian providers can become other problem. At times there is no logic in this sort of restrictions as together with "hostile" American news portals happens e-mail is inaccessible. Entry rules The visa is necessary for a trip to the country to Iran. For visa reception it is necessary to give in consulate of Iran the questionnaire, one photo of a visa format (for women till 30 years - it is desirable in a scarf), the operating passport (passport period of validity should be not less than 6 months) and the invitation of a receiving party or the tourist organisation (voucher). Reception of the time tourist visa for 15 days directly after the arrival at the airports Isfahan, Meshed, Shiraz, Tabriz, an island of Kish and Teheran is possible. Visa gathering in that case makes 50 euros or an equivalent in US dollars. On hands it is necessary to have return tickets and proofs of presence of sufficient financial assets for all period of stay in the country. However, in practice these things seldom check. The visa it will be refused to the women who are not carrying scarfs, and also citizens of Israel and the persons having in the passports any marks of the state Israel. Through border do not pass women in the clothes which are not corresponding to rules (hands and feet to ankles should be closed, there should be a scarf, a scarf or other element of clothes covering hair). Customs The reasonable quantity of cigarettes and spirits for personal use, and also gifts and souvenirs for the sum which is not exceeding is duty-free imported. At import household the audio - a photo- and video equipment, computer facilities and musical instruments for a private use becomes a mark in the passport, granting the right to their subsequent export from the country. Import in the printed matter country where female and man's photos of erotic character can be found out is forbidden. Moreover, usual magazines where the Iranian customs officers will find out female photos in bathing suits can be carried to a category of "erotic" or even is simple without hidzhaba. Import in the country of all kinds of alcoholic drinks, a video production of the erotic and propaganda maintenance, a printed matter in a Hebrew, berries, fruits, tubers and sprouts of plants (including in the form of a herbarium or a collection), seeds, the soil, all kinds of wild animals and birds (including products from a skin and feathers), old books and magazines, drugs and the weapon is strictly forbidden. The persons who have broken an interdiction for import and export of drugs, are unconditionally sentenced to the death penalty. |
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