Helmand Province of Afghanistan

Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation.

Helmand is the world's largest opium-producing region, responsible for 42% of the world's total production.This is more than the whole of Burma, which is the second largest producing nation after Afghanistan. Afghan opium would account for more than 90% of the global supply.

History;

The Helmand valley region is mentioned by name in the Avesta (Fargard 1:13) as Haetumant, one of the early centers of the Zoroastrian faith, in pre-Islamic Persian times. However, owing to the preponderance of non-Zoroastrians (Hindus and Buddhists), the Helmand and Kabul regions were also known as "White India" in those days. Some Vedic scholars (eg. Kochhar 1999) also believe the Helmand valley corresponds to the Sarasvati area mentioned in the Rig Veda as the homeland for the Indo-Aryan migrations into India, ca. 1500 BC.

Border with PakistanHelmand has a southern border with the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Many domestic and international observers have criticized Pakistan's efforts towards securing the border against Taliban insurgents.

Districts;

Baghran 

Dishu    

Garmsir  

Gerishk 

Kajaki 

Khanashin 

Lashkargah 

Musa Qala

Nad Ali 

Nawa-I-Barakzayi 

Nawzad 

Sangin

Wash

Population;

 1,441,769 

Area;

 58,584 km² (22,619 sq mi)

Main language;

 Pashto

Balochi

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Helmand Province of Afghanistan

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