#### English
1. **Country**: Afghanistan, **City**: Balkh
2. **Population**: approx. 150,000
3. **Postal Code**: 9999
4. **Area Code**: +93 4
5. **Size**: 3,500 km²
6. **Distance to Capital**: approx. 20 km (Kabul)

**Poem:**
Balkh, the city of ancient lore,
Whispers of stories, forever more.
In your streets, the spirit thrives,
Where once the wisdom always strives.

Characteristics

Balkh is a province in northern Afghanistan with an area of 16,186 km² and a population of 1,578,510 people.

The Persians make up the largest population group, followed by the Pashtuns.

The region is one of the oldest settlement areas in Central Asia and is a cradle of Iranian civilization.

history

Balkh was once the capital of Bactria and one of the most important satrapies of the Persian Achaemenid Empire.

Known in antiquity as Baktra, the Silk Road met here with another trade route that led in a northwesterly direction following the course of the Oxus to the Caspian Sea, and in a southeasterly direction via the Chaiber Pass to Western India.

Under Seleucid rule from 312 BC. By 400 BC Balkh was almost entirely a Greek colony.

After 256 B.C. In the 2nd century BC it became part of the now independent Greco-Bactrian Empire, before it succumbed to the attack of the Sakes in the 2nd century.

Under the influence of Buddhism, a mixed Greek-Buddhist culture emerged here, from which, among other things, the Buddha statues in Bamiyan, which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, come from.

In the Middle Ages, Balkh developed into a center of Persian culture and literature and belonged, among others, to the Islamic empires of the Samanids, Ghaznavids, Seljuks, Ghurids and Khorezm Shahs.

Worth seeing Balkh is an important pilgrimage site and is located around 20 kilometers from Mazar-e Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan.

Here are some places to visit:

Green Mosque: The shrine of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa in the city center is an important place for pilgrims and is also called the “Green Mosque”.

Zariaspa: The ancient city of Zariaspa was once the capital of Bactria and is now an important archaeological site.

Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Although not located directly in Balkh, the Bamiyan Buddha Statues are an important part of Afghanistan's history and can be visited as a day trip.
Art

The mixed Greek-Buddhist culture has left its mark in Balkh. The Buddha statues of Bamiyan are an example of this art form.

Museums
There are several museums in Mazar-e Sharif, including the National Museum of Afghanistan and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Specialties Afghanistan has a rich culinary tradition. Some local specialties are:

Kabuli Palaw: A rice dish with lamb, carrots and raisins.
Mantu: A type of dumpling with minced meat filling.
Ashak: A vegetarian variant of Mantu.

Hiking & cycling
The Balkh area offers many opportunities for hiking and cycling. Band-e-Amir National Park is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.

Celebrities Some famous personalities from Balkh are:

Rumi: The famous Persian poet was born in Balkh.
Al-Farabi: The philosopher and scientist was also born in Balkh.
Press The most important newspapers in Afghanistan are:

Afghanistan Times
Daily Outlook Afghanistan