MAZAR-E SHARIF AND BALKH AFGHANISTAN

1975
Mazari Sharif, also known as Mazar-e-Sharif, Mazar-i Sharif, Mazār-e Sharīf and Mazar-i-Sharif (Persian: مزار شریف), is the fourth largest city of Afghanistan, with population of 183,000 people (2002 official estimate). It is the capital of Balkh province and is linked by highways with Kabul to the south-east, Herat to the west and Uzbekistan to the north. Mazari Sharif means Holy Grave or Sacred Grave. The dominant language in Mazari Sharif is Dari. The city is significant to Shia Muslims, as it is the home of the extraordinary Rawze-e-Sharif or Blue Mosque, postulated to be where the fourth caliph of Islam (Hazrat Ali) is buried. The city continues to be a major tourist spot because of its fabulous Muslim and Ancient Greek architecture. In July 2006, the discovery of Greek remains was announced.  Mazari Sharif is in full control of the new Afghan central government, which is lead by US backed President Hamid Karzai. There are also NATO peacekeeing forces in and around the city providing assistance to the new government.


[edit] Industry
The local economy is dominated by agriculture and karakol production; small scale oil and gas exploitation have boosted the city's prospects. The city is a traditional centre for buzkashi, and its shrine the focus of Afghanistan’s Nawroz celebrations.
Places of interest
The modern city of Mazari Sharif is centered around the Shrine of Hazrat Ali. Much restored, it is one of Afghanistan’s most glorious monument. Outside Mazar lies the ancient city of Balkh, that still contains much of interest to the visitor.
Trivia
The name "Mazar E Sharif" has also been applied to a potent strain of marijuana sold in North America, apparently because the "strain" of plants originated in Northern Afghanistan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazar-e_...

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