Kabul

Kabul (pop. 1,036,000), capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Strategically located in the Hindu Kush Mountains, Kabul has been a battleground for invading empires during much of its 3,000-year history. It became the capital of Afghanistan in 1773. It is now an economic and commercial center, as well as the site of Afghanistan's leading university. High-quality rugs and karakul sheepskins produced in Kabul are among Afghanistan's leading exports. The city has been the scene of heavy fighting at various times during the Afghan civil war; from 1979 to 1989 it was the headquarters of the Soviet occupying troops. In 1996 it was taken by the fundamentalist Taliban.

See also: Afghanistan.