Afghanistan has a total of 34 provinces.
Afghanistan states are called provinces, of which there are 34.
This map of Afghanistan shows the borders between provinces, which are further divided into districts, each consisting of several villages.
Initially, there were only four Afghan provinces: Kabul Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. Over time, others were added, including Daykundi and Panjshir in 2001.
In 1964, the Southern Province, Turkestan Province, Qataghan-Badakhshan Province, Qataghan Province, Eastern Province, Farah-Chakansur Province, Mazar-i-Sharif Province, and Meymaneh Province were dissolved and split between other provinces or turned into new administrative units.
The 34 Provinces of Afghanistan
Provinces of Afghanistan:
Badakhshan
A northeastern province with an area of 44,059 km² and a population of 1,072,785. Badakhshan has a population density of 24 people per km². The capital city is Fayzabad.
There are 1,200 villages spread over 28 districts in the Badakhshan province: Arghank Khwa, Baharak, Darayim, Fayzabad, Ishkashim, Jurm, Khash, Khawan, Kishim, Kohistan, Kuf Ab, Keran wa Menjan, Maimay, Nusay, Raghistan, Shahri Buzurg, Sheghnan, Shekay, Shuhada, Tagab, Tishkan, Wakham, Warduj, Taftali Sufla, Yamgan, Yawan, and Zebak.
Badghis
A northwestern province with an area of 23,000 km² and a population of 559,297. Badghis has a population density of 24 people per km². The capital city is Qala-i-Naw.
There are seven districts in the Badghis province: Ab Kamari, Ghormach, Jawand, Muqur, Murghab, Qadis, and Qala-i-Naw.
Baghlan
A northeastern province with an area of 21,112 km² and a population of 1,033,760. Baghlan has a population density of 49 people per km². The capital city is Puli Khumri.
There are 16 districts in Baghlan: Andarab, Baghlani Jadid, Burka, Dahana-I-Ghuri, Dih Salah, Dushi, Farang wa Gharu, Guzargahi Nur, Khinjan, Khost wa Fereng, Khwaja Hijran, Nahrin, Puli Hisar, Puli Khumri, and Tala wa Barfak.
Balkh
A northern province with an area of 16,186 km² and a population of 1,543,464. Balkh has a population density of 95 people per km². The capital city is Mazar-i-Sharif.
There are 15 districts in Blakh: Balkh, Carbolak, Charkint, Chimtal, Daulatabad, Dehdadi, Kaldar, Khulm, Kishindih, Marmul, Mazar-e Sharif, Nahri Shahi, Sholgara, Shortepa, and Zari.
Bamyan
An eastern province with an area of 18,029 km² and a population of 504,312. Bamyan has a population density of 28 people per km². The capital city is Bamyan.
There are seven districts in Bamyan: Bamyan, Kajmard, Panjab, Sayghan, Shever, Waras, and Yaka Walong.
Daykundi
A central province with an area of 18,088 km² and a population of 525,529. Daykundi has a population density of 29 people per km². The capital city is Nili.
There are ten districts in Daykundi: Gizab, Ishtarlay, Kijran, Khedir, Kitti, Miramor, Nili, Sangi Takht, Shahristan, and Pato.
Farah
A southwest province with an area of 48,471 km² and a population of 573,146. Farah has a population density of 12 people per km². The capital city is Nili.
There are 11 districts and hundreds of villages in Farah: Anar Dara, Bakwa, Bala Buluk, Farah, Gulistan, Khaki Safed, Lash Wa Juwayn, Pur Chaman, Pusht Rod, Qala-I-Kah, and Shib Koh.
Faryab
A northern province with an area of 20,797 km² and a population of 1,129,528. Faryab has a population density of 54 people per km². The capital city is Maymana.
There are more than 1,000 villages and 15 districts in Faryab: Almar, Andkhoy, Bilchiragh, Dawlat Abad, Gurjiwan, Maymana, Pashtun Kot, Qaramqol, Qaysar, Qurghan, and Shirin Tagab.
Ghazni
A southeastern province with an area of 22,460 km² and a population of 1,386,764. Ghazni has a population density of 62 people per km². The capital city is Ghazni.
There are more than 1,000 villages populating the 19 districts in Ghazni: Ab Band, Ajristan, Andar, Deh Yak, Gelan, Ghazni, Giro, Jaghori, Jaghatu, Khogyani, Khwaja Umari, Malistan, Muqur, Nawa, Nawur, Qarabagh, Rashidan, Waghaz, and Zana Khan.
Ghor
A central province with an area of 36,478 km² and a population of 777,882. Ghor has a population density of 21 people per km². The capital city is Chaghcharan.
There are hundreds of villages across eleven districts in Ghor: Firozkooh, Marghab, Chahar Sada, Dawlat Yar, Du Layna, Lal was Sarjangal, Pasaband, Saghar, Shahrak, Taywara, and Tulak.
Helmand
A southern province with an area of 58,584 km² and a population of 1,472,192. Helmand has a population density of 25 people per km². The capital city is Lashkar Gah.
There are more than 1,000 villages located in the thirteen districts in Helmand: Baghran, Dishu, Garmsir, Kajaki, Khanashin, Lashkargah, Marjah, Musa Qala, Nad Ali, Grishk, Nawa-I-Barakzayi, Nawzad, Sangin, Washir, and Bahram Chah.
Herat
A northwestern province with an area of 54,778 km² and a population of 2,187,169. Herat has a population density of 40 people per km². The capital city is Herat.
There are over 1,000 villages in the 17 districts in Herat: Adraskan, Chishti Sharif, Farsi, Ghoryan, Gulran, Guzara, Herat, Injil, Karukh, Kohsan, Kushki Kuhna, Obe, Pashtun Zarghun, Shindand, and Zinda Jan.
Jowzjan
A northern province with an area of 11,798 km² and a population of 613,481. Jowzjan has a population density of 52 people per km². The capital city is Sheberghan.
There are hundreds of villages spread through 11 districts in Jowzjan: Aqcha, Darzab, Fayzabad, Khamyab, Khaniqa, Khwaja Du Koh, Mardyan, Mingajik, Qarqin, Qush Tepa, and Sheberghan.
Kabul
Eastern province with an area of 4,523 km² and a population of 5,385,526. Kabul has a population density of 1,200 people per km². The capital city is Kabul.
There are 15 districts in Kabul: Bagrami, Chahar Asyab, Deh Sabz, Farza, Guldara, Istalif, Kabul, Kalakan, Khaki Jabbar, Mir Bacha Kot, Mussahi, Paghman, Qarabagh, Shakardara, and Surobi.
Kandahar
A southern province with an area of 54,844 km² and a population of 1,431,876. Kandahar has a population density of 26 people per km². The capital city is Kandahar.
There are more than 1,000 villages across 18 districts in Kandahar: Arghandab, Arghistan, Daman, Ghorak, Kandahar, Khakrez, Maruf, Maywand, Miyanishin, Nesh, Panjwayi, Reg, Shah Wali Kot, Shorabak, Spin Boldak, Takhta-pul, Zhari, and Dand.
Kapisa
A northeastern province with an area of 1,842 km² and a population of 496,840. Kapisa has a population density of 270 people per km². The capital city is Mahmud-i-Raqi.
There are seven districts in Kandahar: Alasay, Hesa Awal Kohistan, Hesa Duwum Kohistan, Koh Band, Mahmud Raqi, Nijrab, and Tagab.
Khost
An eastern province with an area of 4,152 km² and a population of 647,730. Khost has a population density of 160 people per km². The capital city is Khost.
There are 13 districts in Khost: Bak, Gurbuz, Zazi Maidan, Khost Matun, Mandozayi, Musakhel, Nadir Shah Kot, Qalandar, Sabari, Shamal, Spera, Tani, and Tirayazi.
Kunar
A northeastern province with an area of 4,339 km² and a population of 508,224. Kunar has a population density of 120 people per km². The capital city is Asadabad.
There are 15 districts in Kunar: Asadabad, Bar Kunar, Chapa Dara, Dangam, Dara-I-Pech, Ghaziabad, Khas Kunar, Marawara, Narang Aw Badil, Nari, Nurgal, Sawkai, Shaigal, Sirkani, and Wata Pur.
Kunduz
A northern province with an area of 8,040 km² and a population of 1,136,677. Kunduz has a population density of 140 people per km². The capital city is Kunduz.
There are eight districts in Kunduz: Ali Abad, Aqtash, Archi, Chardara, Imam Sahib, Khan Abad, Kunduz, and Qalay-I-Zal.
Laghman
Eastern province with an area of 3,842 km² and a population of 502,148. Laghman has a population density of 130 people per km². The capital city is Mehtar Lam.
There are five districts in Laghman: Alingar, Alishing, Dawlat Shah, Qarghayi, and Badpash.
Logar
An eastern province with an area of 3,879 km² and a population of 442,03. Logar has a population density of 110 people per km². The capital city is Puli Alam.
There are hundreds of villages across seven districts in Logar: Azra, Baraki Barak, Charkh, Kharwar, Khoshi, Mohammad Agha, and Puli Alam.
Nangarhar
An eastern province with an area of 7,727 km² and a population of 1,735,351. Nangarhar has a population density of 220 people per km². The capital city is Jalalabad.
There are 22 districts in Nangarhar: Jalalabad, Haska Meyna, Shinwar, Achin, Bihsud, Chaparhar, Darai Nur, Bati Kot, Dur Baba, Goshta, Hisarak, Kama, Khogyani, Kot, Kuz Kunar, Lal Pur, Momand Dara, Nazyan, Pachir Aw Agam, Rodat, Sherzad, Surkh Rod, and Spinghar.
Nimruz
A southwestern province with an area of 43,000 km² and a population of 186,963. Nimruz has a population density of 4.3 people per km². The capital city is Zaranj.
There are 649 villages across five districts in Nimruz: Chahar Burjak, Chakhansur, Kang, Khash Rod, and Zaranj.
Nuristan
An eastern province with an area of 9,225 km² and a population of 166,676. Nuristan has a population density of 18 people per km². The capital city is Parun.
There are seven districts in Nuristan: Barg-i Matal, Du Ab, Kamdesh, Mandol, Nurgram, Parun, Wama, and Waygal.
Paktika
An eastern province with an area of 19,482 km² and a population of 789,079. Paktika has a population density of 41 people per km². The capital city is Sharana.
There are 19 districts in Paktika: Barmal, Dila, Gayan, Gomal, Janikhel, Khairkot, Mata Khan, Nika, Omna, Sar Hawza, Surobi, Sharana, Terwa, Urgun, Wazakhwa, Wor Mamay, Yahyakhel, Yusufkhel, and Zerok.
Paktia
Paktia is a province in the southeast corner of Afghanistan. It is known for its rugged terrain, and is home to a diverse population of ethnic Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. The capital of Paktia is Gardez, and the the province is mostly rural, with much of the population living in small villages.
Panjshir
A northeastern province with an area of 3,771 km² and a population of 172,895. Panjshir has a population density of 46 people per km². The capital city is Bazarak.
There are 512 villages across seven districts in Panjshir: Abshar, Anaba, Bazarak, Darah, Khenj, Paryan, Rokha, and Shotul.
Parwan
An eastern province with an area of 5,974 km² and a population of 751,040. Parwan has a population density of 130 people per km². The capital city is Charikar.
There are ten districts in Parwan: Bagram, Charikar, Ghorband, Jabal Saraj, Kohi Safi, Salang, Sayed Khel, Shekh Ali, Shinwari, and Surkhi Parsa.
Samangan
A central province with an area of 11,262 km² and a population of 438,235. Samangan has a population density of 39 people per km². The capital city is Aybak.
There are 674 villages in the seven districts of Nangarhar: Aybak, Darah Sof Balla, Darah Sof Payan, Feroz Nakhchir, Hazrat Sultan, Khuram Wa Sarbagh, and Ruyi Du Ab.
Sar-e Pol
A northern province with an area of 16,360 km² and a population of 632,182. Sari Pul has a population density of 39 people per km². The capital city is Sar-e Pol.
There are 896 villages across seven districts in Sar-e Pol: Balkhab, Gosfandi, Kohistanat, Sancharak, Sar-e Pol, Sayyad, and Sozma Qala.
Takhar
A northeastern province with an area of 12,333 km² and a population of 1,113,173. Takhar has a population density of 90 people per km². The capital city is Taloqan.
There are more than 1,000 villages and 17 districts in Takhar: Baharak, Bangi, Chah Ab, Chal, Darqad, Dashti Qala, Farkhar, Hazar Somuch, Ishkamish, Kalafgan, Khwaja Bahauddin, Khwaja Ghar, Namak Ab, Rustaq, Taluqan, Warsaj, and Yangi Qala.
Uruzgan
A central province with an area of 12,640 km² and a population of 436,079. Uruzgan has a population density of 34 people per km². The capital city is Tarinkot.
There are five districts in Uruzgan: Shahidi Hassas, Chora, Deh Rawood, Khas Uruzgan, and Tarinkot.
Wardak
A central province with an area of 10,348 km² and a population of 671,817. Wardak has a population density of 65 people per km². The capital city is Maidan Shar.
There are eight districts in Wardak: Chaki Wardak, Day Mirdad, Hisa-I-Awali Bihsud, Jaghatu, Jalrez, Markazi Bihsud, Maidan Shar, Nirkh, and Saydabad.
Zabul
A southern province with an area of 17,343 km² and a population of 391,150. Zabul has a population density of 23 people per km². The capital city is Qalat.
There are 11 districts in Nangarhar: Arghandab, Atghar, Daychopan, Kakar, Mezana, New Bahar, Qalat, Shah Joy, Shamulzayi, Shinkay, and Tarnak Aw Jaldak.
Governors
Typically, the provinces of Afghanistan each have their own governor.
That changed on August 15, 2021, when the Taliban took control of all Afghanistan provinces, unseating many local governments in the process.