Kabul

Afghanistan's capital since 1776, Kabul sits high in a narrow valley of the Hindu Kush mountains, bounded by the Kabul River. Believed to be over 3,500 years old, the city served as a Mughal summer capital in the 16th century and was once a key stop on the ancient Silk Road. Its historic core contains old neighbourhoods, gardens, and palaces including Bagh-e Babur and the Arg. Decades of conflict since 1979 have left infrastructure damaged and reconstruction limited, particularly since the Taliban's return in 2021.

• Population4,434,550
• Nearest water1.9 km
• Nearest mountain1.6 km