Maymana

Maymana میمنه
Maymana Location in Afghanistan
Coordinates: 35°56′N 64°45′E / 35.933°N 64.750°E / 35.933; 64.750
Country	Afghanistan
Province	Faryab Province
Elevation	877 m (2,877 ft)
Population (2004)
• City	75,900
• Urban	149,040 [1]
Time zone	UTC+4:30

Maymana, Meymaneh or Maimana (Uzbaki, Pashto, Persian: میمنه) is the capital of Faryab province, northern Afghanistan, near the Turkmenistan border. It is approximately 400 km northwest of the Afghan capital Kabul. Coordinates: 35°56′N 64°45′E / 35.933°N 64.750°E / 35.933; 64.750 The city of maimana has a population of 149,040 (in 2015). ^[2] it has 10 districts and a total land area of 3,461 Hectares. ^[3] The total number of dwellings in this city are 16,560.^[4]

Location

Maymana is located at the northern foot of the Torkestan Range at an elevation of 877 m on the old terrace of the Qeysar or Maymana River. This river branches off of the Band-e Turkistan River 50 km south of the city. The highlands of the Maymana region generally possess a very rich topsoil which supports the seasonal agricultural activities.

Land Use

Maimana is a Trading and Transit Hub in northern Afghanistan. Just over half of the land in Maimana is non built-up (57%) consisting largely of agriculture.^[5] The central districts (2-5) have higher dwelling density and clear road grids.^[6] The outer districts(1,7-10) are characterized by more agricultural land.^[7]

Population

During the 19th century, the population of the settlement was estimated at 15,000–18,000, the majority being of Uzbek descent, in addition to Pashtun and Tajik minorities. In 1958 the population was estimated to be 30,000, by 1979 this had risen to 38,250, and by 1982 to 56,973.^[8] In 2004 Maymana has a population of 75,900. However it is estimated to be 149,040 in 2015.^[9]

History

A market street in Maymana

locals in Maymana with a female Norwegian soldier.

The town is of ancient origin. It seems clear that Maymana citadel dates back to the early Iron Age. Ceramic materials in a nearby cave at Bilchiragh are from the Paleolithic and late Neolithic-Bronze Age.

In the 10th century it was the residence of the Malik of Guzganan, which was then under the control of the Farighunid native dynasty.

In the 16th century, Uzbek influence came to Maymana with the invasions of Turkistan and Herat by Muhammad Shaibani.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Maymana was the centre of an independent Uzbek khanate and an important centre for commerce, as well as being the gateway to Turkistan from Herat and Persia.

In 1876 the city fell to the Afghans and was put in ruins, and only ten percent of the population was left.

The city was once strongly walled with thick walls and towers and surrounded by a moat, but in the 20th century all this has been reduced to an anonymous mound. In 1934, the rebuilding of the city started, and in 1949 the northern parts of the old city were renewed, the old city citadel changed to a park.

NATO presence through ISAF

As part of the ongoing NATO operation in Afghanistan, there is a Provincial Reconstruction Team based there, led by Norway. This team also includes Latvian troops.

Transportation

Maymana is served by Maymana Airport which had direct flights to Herat as of May 2014.^[10]

Economy

The town serves an agricultural area irrigated from the Qeysar River and also handles the trade in Karakul sheep with nomads. Maymana is an important livestock centre in Afghanistan. In the 1970s, the wool and cotton processing industry was booming in the city. Maymana is a market for leather goods, silk, carpets, wheat, barley, melons and grapes.

There is also an airport located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Maimana in a valley surrounded by hills and a range of mountains with some peaks reaching 12,000 ft.; 24 miles (39 km) southeast of the Turkmenistan border; and 64 miles (103 km) south of Andkhoy. The runway is with gravel surface.

Maymana is, after Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat and Kunduz, the fifth-largest Afghan town with an independent women-managed radio station, Radio Quyaash, established in February 2005.

Panorama of Maymana

Climate

Maymana has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with hot, dry summers and cold, moist winters.

References

1. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report2015". 
2. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report2015". 
3. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". 
4. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report2015". 
5. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". 
6. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". 
7. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". 
8. ↑ CSO Statistics
9. ↑ "The State of Afghan Cities report 2015". 
10. ↑ 2014 East Horizon Airlines Timetable, http://flyeasthorizon.com/flight-schedule/
11. ↑ "Maimana Climate Normals 1964-1983". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 25, 2012. 

External links

• Dupree, Nancy Hatch (1977): An Historical Guide to Afghanistan. 2nd Edition. Revised and Enlarged. Afghan Tourist Organization. (First edition: 1970.)