Afghanistan: Mazar-i-Sharif – Around the City

 Mazar-i-Sharif is Afghanistan’s fourth-largest city with around 500-600 thousand people in population. The ancient city has been a major strategic point in all Afghans wars, including most recently during the Soviet-Afghan War, the Afghan Civil War, and the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 (it was the last to fall during the last offensive). The city is a major trade hub, connected by highways to Kabul, Herat, and neighboring countries of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Besides the absolutely stunning Blue Mosque (next post), the city doesn’t have many notable attraction on a “wow” level, but people watching is absolutely amazing here.