Zaranj

Zaranj (Balochi, Pashto; Dari: زرنج) is a city in southwestern Afghanistan, serving as the capital of Nimruz Province. It is within the jurisdiction of Zaranj District and has an estimated population of 72,272 people. Maulvi Salahuddin Mumtaz is the current mayor of the city. His predecessor was Maulvi Nooruddin Hamza. Zaranj is home to Nimruz University, which is located in the eastern part of the city. The new Zaranj Airport is about 20 km (12 mi) further to the east, next to the Delaram-Zaranj Highway. The city has a number of factories, bazaars, business centers, public parks, banks, hotels, restaurants, mosques, hospitals, universities, and places to play sports or just relax. Zaranj is at an elevation of approximately 476 m (1,562 ft) above sea level and has a land area of 48 km2 (19 sq mi). The city is connected by highways with Ghurghuri and Lashkargah to the east, Farah to the north, and the Afghanistan–Iran border to the west. The Pul-i-Abresham border crossing is located in the western part of Zaranj. It is one of three important trade-routes that connect Central Asia, East Asia and South Asia with the Middle East. It is also used by the Afghans in Iran to enter Afghanistan. The history of Zaranj dates back over 2,500 years and Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar, founder of the Saffarid dynasty, was born in this old civilization.