Bamyan Province

Geobox|Province
country = Afghanistan
country_

name = Bamyan
native_name = بامیان


map_caption = Map of Afghanistan with Bamiyan highlighted
capital = Bamyan
capital_lat_d = 34.75
capital_long_d = 67.25
population_as_of = 2006
population = 387300
population_note = [cite web
url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&des=wg&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=600&geo=-276 |title=World Gazetteer]
area = 14175
population_density = 27.3
timezone = UTC+4:30
free_type = Main language
free = Persian (Dari and Hazaragi varieties)

Bamyan Province (PerB|بامیان) is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the centre of the country. Its capital is also called Bamyan. Bamyan is the largest town in the Hazarajat region of Afghanistan, and is the cultural capital of the Hazara ethnic group that predominates in the area.

In antiquity, central Afghanistan was strategically placed to thrive from the Silk Road caravans which criss-crossed the region trading between the Roman Empire, China, Central and South Asia. Bamyan was a stopping off point for many travellers. It was here where elements of Greek, Persian and Buddhist art were combined into a unique classical style, known as Greco-Buddhist art.

History

Bamyan was the site of an early Buddhist monastery from which Bamyan takes its name < Sanskrit varmayana, "coloured.". Many statues of Buddha are carved into the sides of cliffs facing Bamyan city. The two most prominent of these statues were standing Buddhas, now known as the Buddhas of Bamyan, measuring 55 and 37 meters high respectively, that were the largest examples of standing Buddha carvings in the world (see also: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Idries_Shah#Shah_on_Naqshbandi] ). They were probably erected in the 4th or 5th century C.E. They were cultural landmarks for many years and are listed among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. In March 2001 the Taliban government decreed that the statues were idolatrous and ordered them to be demolished with anti-aircraft artillery and explosives.

The Buddhist remains at Bamyan were included on the 2008 World Monuments Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Fund. It is hoped that the listing will put continued national and international attention on the site as a whole (including, but not limited to, the statues) in order to ensure its long-term preservation, and to make certain that future restoration efforts maintain the authenticity of the site and that proper preservation practices are followed.

Bamyan is also known for its natural beauty. The Band-e Amir lakes in western Bamyan province continue to be a tourist destination for Afghans.

Bamyan is currently the base of operations for the New Zealand peace keeping force, a Provincial Reconstruction Team codenamed Task Group Crib, which is part of the network of Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout Afghanistan. It is recognised as one of the safest provinces in the country which has allowed for much concerntration on civil rebuilding [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/bamian.htm]

There are currently 122 New Zealand Defence Force personnel in Bamyan. To date they have helped with reconstruction work including building bridges and schools as well as maintaining security in the region.

The New Zealand Police are also working in the region to help train the Afghan National Police (ANP). In July 2006 three Afghan women signed to join the ANP in Bamyan, the first time women have joined a police force in Afghanistan.

Politics

The current governor of the province is Habiba Sarabi, Afghanistan's first female governor. She was appointed in 2005.

Districts

*Bamyan (Capital - 61,863)
*Kahmard (17,643)
*Panjab (47,099)
*Sayghan (18,001)
*Shibar (25,177)
*Waras (81,787)
*Yakawlang (65,573)

References

External links

* Dupree, Nancy Hatch (1977): "An Historical Guide to Afghanistan". 1st Edition: 1970. 2nd Edition. Revised and Enlarged. Afghan Tourist Organization. [http://www.zharov.com/dupree/index.html]
* [http://www.bamiyan-development.org Bamyan Development] Community Portal for cultural heritage management of Bamyan
* [http://www.aims.org.af/ssroots.aspx?seckeyt=371 Afghanistan Information Management Services - Bamyan Province]