Ishkashim, Afghanistan

Province

Ishkashim (also Ishkashim, Eshkashem; persian اشکاشم ) is (pronounced: Badakhshan ) the capital of the district of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan.

Ishkashim is located on the left bank of the Panj, the source of the Amu Darya River, which forms the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and Ishkashim turns coming from the Wakhan Corridor to the north. On the other side of the river is the same, Tajik place with which it is connected since 31 October 2006 a bridge for vehicles up to 30 tons, which was largely financed by the Aga Khan Development Network.

Ishkashim is located 150 kilometers by road from Faizabad.

The place has including the surrounding villages 12,120 inhabitants ( 2006), which belong mainly to the faith community of Nizari, the largest group of belonging to the Shia Ismaili Muslims ( Shia ).

Ishkashim was an important place on the caravan routes from Afghanistan to Yarkant and Kashi. In the village are the remains of a small fort to see.