Afghanistan Districts (original) (raw)

Afghanistan is divided into provinces, which are subdivided into districts. The following table shows 398 districts, which should be the complete list as of 2009.

To give you a glimpse behind the scenes (and to help explain any errors or hedging), I will mention that I started with about thirteen different lists of districts from several different time periods. I tried to align the matching districts in the different lists, despite the district splits and province changes from one list to another, and despite the wild variation in district names (see Other names of subdivisions). Next, I chose what seemed to be the most reliable and up-to-date list, and reconciled all the data from my sources to produce the table below. The results must be considered tentative. The whole process took, at a rough guess, about 60 hours.

Usually, I make sure that a district's HASC code changes whenever there's a substantial change in its territory. Because of the uncertainties already alluded to, I can't guarantee that I followed that policy here.

Some of the aforementioned lists were provided by Mario Pezza. Richard C. Pollard sent me links to the AIMS site.

Note 1: The exact figures are from source [1], which was incomplete. The rounded figures in parentheses are from source [2]. The data in the two sources appear to be compatible for the most part.

Note 2: Source [5] tells how the 398 districts in the table above correspond to an earlier stage when there were 329 districts. In the "Former" column, I also include some information derived from other sources. I try to show the correspondence with the 365 districts shown under Change history, rather than the 329. If a district was partly or wholly formed from a different province from the one it's in now, I show that province's two-character HASC code. The information in this column should be considered unreliable because of divergences between different sources, but it can serve as a foundation for further inquiry. A missing entry in this column generally means that the name of the district was unchanged, although its territory may have been altered.

Change history:

The following list of districts shows the status as of 1990, but does not reflect the creation of Sar-e Pol province. Source: USAID spreadsheet, from Assistance Afghanistan page.

1. 2004-03-28: Daykundi district became a separate province.
2. 2004-04-13: Panjsher, Panjsher 1, and Panjsher 2 districts became Panjshir province.
3. 2004-06: Kahmard district moved from Baghlan to Bamian province; Jaghatu district moved from Ghazni to Vardak; Gizab, Kajran, and Shahristan districts moved from Oruzgan to Daikondi; Nesh district moved from Oruzgan to Kandahar; Azra district moved from Paktia to Lowgar; and Shamal district moved from Paktia to Khowst. Many new districts created.
4. ~2008-03: Gosfandi district created.

Other names of subdivisions:

Some of the names described as variants may actually belong to a different district, in cases where I matched two lists incorrectly. I arbitrarily decided that -e-, -i-, and wa ("and") should always be lowercase. Sometimes two-word names get collapsed to one, as when Ali Abad is written Aliabad. All names are transliterations from Pushtu or Dari, and considerable latitude has been taken by various interpreters. I suspect that Awal, Duwum, Charum, etc. are ordinal numbers, but I don't know for sure which is which.

1. Ab Kamari: Ab-e-Kamari (variant)
2. Ajristan: Ajrestan (variant)
3. Alasay: Alasai (variant)
4. Anar Dara: Anar-Darah (variant)
5. Andar: Adar (variant)
6. Andkhoy: Andkhoi (variant)
7. Aqcha: Aqchah (variant)
8. Archi: Dashti Archi, Dasht-Archi (variant)
9. Arghandab: Argahandab (variant)
10. Arghanj Khwa: Arghanjwa (variant)
11. Arghistan: Arghestan (variant)
12. Argo: Urgo, Urgu (variant)
13. Aybak: Aibak (variant)
14. Azra: Azro (variant)
15. Baghlani Jadid: Bughlan Jadeed, Baghlan Jadid (variant)
16. Baghran: Bughran (variant)
17. Baharak: Bahark (variant)
18. Bahrami Shahid: Bahram, Bahram Shahid (Jaghatu), Jeghatoo (Waeez Shahid) (variant)
19. Bala Buluk: Bala Blook (variant)
20. Bar Kunar: Asmar (variant)
21. Bargi Matal: Barg-e-Matal (variant)
22. Barmal: Burmul (variant)
23. Bazarak: Rukha (variant)
24. Bihsud: Behsood (variant)
25. Bilchiragh: Balcheragh (variant)
26. Burka: Barkah (variant)
27. Chaghcharan: Cheghcharan (variant)
28. Chahar Asyab: Char Asiab (variant)
29. Chahar Bolak: Char Bolak, Charbolak (variant)
30. Chahar Burjak: Char Burjak (variant)
31. Chahar Dara: Char Dara, Char Drah (variant)
32. Chahar Kint: Charkent, Charkint (variant)
33. Chaharikar: Charikar (variant)
34. Chakhansur: Asl-i-Chakhansoor (variant)
35. Chaki Wardak: Chak, Chake Wardak (variant)
36. Chamkani: Chamkanay, Samkanai (variant)
37. Chaparhar: Chiperhar (variant)
38. Charsada: Char Sada, Char Sadah (variant)
39. Chawkay: Sawkai (variant)
40. Chimtal: Chamtal (variant)
41. Chishti Sharif: Cheshtosharif (variant)
42. Chora: Choarah (variant)
43. Dahana-i-Ghori: Dahana-i-Ghuri (variant)
44. Dand wa Patan: Dand Patan (variant)
45. Dara: Darah (variant)
46. Dara-i-Nur: Darah Noor, Azra (variant)
47. Dara-i-Pech: Pech, Dareh Peich (variant)
48. Dara-i-Suf: Dara-i-Sufi Payin, Dareh-i-Soof, Dara-i-Sufi Payan (variant)
49. Dara-i-Sufi Bala: Dareh-i-Soof Bala, Dara-i-Sufi Balla (variant)
50. Darayim: Darayem (variant)
51. Darwazi Bala: Darwaze Bala, Darwaz-e-Bala (variant)
52. Dashti Qala: Dasht-e-Qala (variant)
53. Dawlat Yar: Daolatyar (variant)
54. Day Mirdad: Daimirdad (variant)
55. Daychopan: Daichopan (variant)
56. Daykundi: Daikaendi, Daikondi (variant)
57. Dih Bala: Dahbala (variant)
58. Dih Sabz: Dahsabz, Deh Sabz (variant)
59. Dih Salah: Dehe Salah (variant)
60. Dih Yak: Deh-Yak (variant)
61. Dihdadi: Dehdadi (variant)
62. Dihrawud: Dehroud, Deh Rahwod (variant)
63. Dila: Dela (variant)
64. Dishu: Desho, Disho (variant)
65. Du Layna: Duleena (variant)
66. Dushi: Dooshi, Doshi (variant)
67. Farang wa Gharu: Freng-o-Gharo (variant)
68. Farza: Farsi (variant)
69. Fayz Abad: Faiz Abad (variant)
70. Feroz Nakhchir: Feroz Nakhcheer (variant)
71. Gardez: Gardeiz (variant)
72. Garmser: Garm Seir, Garmsir (variant)
73. Gelan: Gellan (variant)
74. Ghorband: Ghurband (variant)
75. Gizab: Gazab (variant)
76. Gulistan: Gulestan (variant)
77. Gulran: Guldan (variant)
78. Gurziwan: Darzab, Garziwan (variant)
79. Guzara: Guzera (variant)
80. Guzargahi Nur: Gozargahe Noor (variant)
81. Hazar Sumuch: Hazer Sumuch (variant)
82. Hazrati Sultan: Hazrat-i-Sultan (variant)
83. Hese Charum-e-Panjshir: Hease Charume Panjshir, Hisa-i-Chaharumi Panjsher, Panjsher (3) (variant)
84. Hirat: Herat (variant)
85. Hisa-i-Awali Bihsud: Hese Awal-e-Behsud, Hisa-i-Awali Bihsu (variant)
86. Hisa-i-Awali Panjsher: Hese Awal-e-Panshir, Hisa-i-Awali Panjsh, Panjsher 1, Hisa-i-Awal Panjsher, Khenj (variant)
87. Hisa-i-Duwumi Kohistan: Duwume Kohistan, Hesa Duwum Kohistan, Panjsher 2 (variant)
88. Hisa-i-Duwumi Panjsher: Hese Duwum-e-Panjshir, Hisa-i-Duwumi Panj, Panjsher 2 (variant)
89. Hisarak: Hesarak (variant)
90. Imam Sahib: Hazrat-Emam, Hazrati Imam (variant)
91. Injil: Enjil (variant)
92. Ishkamish: Eshkamesh (variant)
93. Ishkashim: Eshkashem (variant)
94. Istalif: Estalef (variant)
95. Jabalussaraj: Jabull Saraj, Jabal Saraj (variant)
96. Jadran: Wuza Zadran, Waza Zadran (variant)
97. Jaghatu: Chaghato, Jaghatoo, Wali Muhammadi Shahid (variant)
98. Jaji Maydan: Jaji Maidan (variant)
99. Jalrez: Jalriz (variant)
100. Jani Khel: Jani Kheil (variant)
101. Kahmard: Khoumard (variant)
102. Kajran: Kijran, Gojran, Gujran (variant)
103. Kakar: Kakal (variant)
104. Kamdesh: Kamdeish (variant)
105. Kang: Sarban Qala (variant)
106. Khaki Jabbar: Khak-i-Jabar, Khaki Jabar (variant)
107. Khaki Safed: Khak-i-Safeid (variant)
108. Khakrez: Khak Reiz (variant)
109. Khani Chahar Bagh: Khan Char Bagh, Khan-e-Charbagh, Khani Chahar, Khani Char Bagh (variant)
110. Khaniqa: Khanaqa (variant)
111. Khas Uruzgan: Khas Urozgan (variant)
112. Khash Rod: Khashroad (variant)
113. Khinjan: Khenjan (variant)
114. Khost: Matun (variant)
115. Khost wa Firing: Khost-o-Fereng, Khost wa Fereng (variant)
116. Khulm: Kholam, Kholm, Khulmi (variant)
117. Khuram wa Sarbagh: Khuram-o-Sharbagh, Khuram wa Sarbag (variant)
118. Khushi: Khoshi (variant)
119. Khwaja Bahawuddin: Khuwaj Bahawuddin, Khuwaja Bahawudin (variant)
120. Khwaja Du Koh: Kohistanat (variant)
121. Khwaja Ghar: Khowaj Ghar (variant)
122. Khwaja Hijran: Jilga Nahrin, Jalga, Jelga (variant)
123. Khwaja Sabz Posh: Khuwaja Sabz Poshe Wali (variant)
124. Khwaja Umari: Khawaja Umery, Khwaja Omri (variant)
125. Kishim: Kishm (variant)
126. Kishindih: Koshendah (variant)
127. Kohi Safi: Kohe Safi (variant)
128. Kohistan: Hisa-i-Awali Kohistan, Hesa Awal Kohistan, Panjsher (variant)
129. Kohsan: Kuhsan (variant)
130. Kot: Kott (variant)
131. Kuf Ab: Kofab (variant)
132. Kunduz: Kunduzi (variant)
133. Kuran wa Munjan: Keren-o-Menjan (variant)
134. Kushki Kuhna: Kishk-i-Kahna (variant)
135. Kuz Kunar: Kooz Konar (variant)
136. Lal wa Sarjangal: Lal-o-Sarjangal (variant)
137. Lal Pur: Lalpoor (variant)
138. Lash wa Juwayn: Lash Jaween (variant)
139. Lija Mangal: Lija Ahmad Khel, Laja Ahmad Khiel, Lazha Ahmad Khel (variant)
140. Mahmud Raqi: Mahmood Raqi, Mahmudi Raqi (variant)
141. Malistan: Malestan (variant)
142. Mando Zayi: Mandozai (variant)
143. Mandol: Mondawal (variant)
144. Marawara: Marwara, Murwara (variant)
145. Markazi Bihsud: Markaz-e-Behsud (variant)
146. Marmul: Marmol (variant)
147. Maruf: Maroof (variant)
148. Maydan Shahr: Maidan Shaher (variant)
149. Maymana: Maimana (variant)
150. Maywand: Maiwand (variant)
151. Mazari Sharif: Mazar sharif, Mazar-e Sharif, Mazar-i-Sharif (variant)
152. Mihtarlam: Mehterlam (variant)
153. Mingajik: Mangajak (variant)
154. Mir Bacha Kot: Mirbachkot (variant)
155. Miya Nishin: Myanesheen, Miyan Nasheen (variant)
156. Muhammad Agha: Mohamad Agha, Mohammad Agha (variant)
157. Musa Khel: Musa Kheil (variant)
158. Musa Qala: Moosa Qala (variant)
159. Musayi: Musahi, Mussahi (variant)
160. Nadir Shah Kot: Nadershah Kott (variant)
161. Nahri Sarraj: Nahre Saraj, Gerishk (variant)
162. Nahri Shahi: Nahr-e-Shahi (variant)
163. Nahrin: Nahreen (variant)
164. Narang: Narang Wa Badil, Tarango Badil (variant)
165. Nari: Nalai, Nali (variant)
166. Nawa: Nava (variant)
167. Nawa-i-Barak Zayi: Nawei Barukzai, Nawa i Barakzayi, Naway i, Naway i Barakza, Naway i Barakzayi (variant)
168. Nesh: Nish, Naish, Neish (variant)
169. Nijrab: Nejrab (variant)
170. Nirkh: Nerkh (variant)
171. Nurgal: Noor Gul (variant)
172. Nurgaram: Noorgram (variant)
173. Nuristan: Noorgram, Nooristan, Paroon (variant)
174. Obe: Obeh (variant)
175. Omna: Omneh (variant)
176. Pachir wa Agam: Pachar Wagan (variant)
177. Panjwayi: Panjai, Panjwaye (variant)
178. Pashtun Kot: Pashtoon Kott (variant)
179. Pashtun Zarghun: Pashton Zarghoon (variant)
180. Puli Alam: Pulle-Alam, Pul-i-Alam (variant)
181. Puli Hisar: Pul-i-Hesar (variant)
182. Puli Khumri: Pul-i-Khumri (variant)
183. Pusht Rod: Posht Road (variant)
184. Qala-i-Kah: Qalay-i-Kah (variant)
185. Qala-i-Naw: Qalay-i-Naw, Qala-Now (variant)
186. Qalandar: Qalander (variant)
187. Qalay-i-Zal: Qala-i-Zal (variant)
188. Qaramqol: Qaram Qul (variant)
189. Qarghayi: Qarghai (variant)
190. Qaysar: Qaisar (variant)
191. Qush Tepa: Qoshtepa, Qosh Tapa, Sangcharak (variant)
192. Ragh: Raghistan (variant)
193. Reg: Reig Khan Sheen, Khanashin, Khanishin, Reig (variant)
194. Rukha: Bazarak, Rokha (variant)
195. Ruyi Du Ab: Rai-Do-Ab, Royi Du Ab (variant)
196. Sangi Takht: Sangtakht (variant)
197. Sangin: Sangin Qala (variant)
198. Sar Hawza: Sar Rawza (variant)
199. Sari Pul: Sar-i-Pul (variant)
200. Sarobi: Surubi (variant)
201. Sayd Abad: Said Abad, Sayid Abad (variant)
202. Sayd Khel: Said Khail, Sayed Khel (variant)
203. Sayghan: Sighan, Saighan (variant)
204. Sayid Karam: Said Karam, Sayed Karam (variant)
205. Sayyad: Sayad (variant)
206. Shah Wali Kot: Shah Wali Kott (variant)
207. Shahidi Hassas: Shahid-e-Hassas, Shahidi Hasas (variant)
208. Shahjoy: Shah Joi (variant)
209. Shahri Buzurg: Shahrak-e-Buzurg (variant)
210. Shahristan: Shahrestan (variant)
211. Shakardara: Shaker Darah (variant)
212. Shamal: Shamul, Shemal (variant)
213. Shamulzayi: Shemel Zayi (variant)
214. Shaygal wa Shiltan: Shigal-o-Sheltan, Shial-o-Sheltan, Shigal Wa Shilton (variant)
215. Shekh Ali: Shikh Ali (variant)
216. Sherzad: Shairzad (variant)
217. Shib Koh: Sheib Koh (variant)
218. Shibar: Shebar (variant)
219. Shibirghan: Sheerghan (variant)
220. Shighnan: Sheghnan (variant)
221. Shiki: Sheik, Sheki (variant)
222. Shinkay: Shinkai (variant)
223. Shinwar: Shenwar (variant)
224. Shirin Tagab: Sherin Tagab (variant)
225. Sholgara: Sholgra (variant)
226. Shortepa: Shorteipa (variant)
227. Shutul: Shotul (variant)
228. Shwak: Shawak (variant)
229. Sirkanay: Sar Kani (variant)
230. Sozma Qala: Suzma Qula (variant)
231. Spera: Espera (variant)
232. Spin Boldak: Espeen Boldak (variant)
233. Surkh Rod: Surkhrod (variant)
234. Surkhi Parsa: Surkh Parsa (variant)
235. Surobi: Surubi (variant)
236. Tagab: Kishmi Bala (variant)
237. Tala wa Barfak: Talah-o-Barfak (variant)
238. Tani: Tanai (variant)
239. Tarnak wa Jaldak: Tarnk-o-Jaldak (variant)
240. Taywara: Teyoru (variant)
241. Tere Zayi: Tareizayi (variant)
242. Tirin Kot: Terinkott, Tarin Kowt (variant)
243. Tishkan: Tashkan (variant)
244. Tor Ghundi: Torghondi, Torghondy (variant)
245. Tulak: Tolak (variant)
246. Turwo: Turwu, Terwa (variant)
247. Unaba: Hese Seyum (Rukha) Panjshir, Anaba, Hease Seyume Panjshir (variant)
248. Urgun: Urgoon (variant)
249. Wali Muhammadi Shahid: Shahid M1Wali Khogiani, Bahrami Shahid (Jaghatu), Khugiani, Shahid M Wali, Wali Muhammad Shahid (variant)
250. Warduj: Wurduj (variant)
251. Washer: Washeir, Washir (variant)
252. Wata Pur: Watapoor (variant)
253. Waygal: Waigal (variant)
254. Wor Mamay: Warmamai, Wolmamay (variant)
255. Yaftali Sufla: Yaftel, Yaftal (variant)
256. Yahya Khel: Yahya Kheil (variant)
257. Yakawlang: Yakawulang (variant)
258. Yamgan: Girwan, Yumkan, Yumgan (variant)
259. Yangi Qala: Yange Qala (variant)
260. Yosuf Khel: Yosef Kheil (variant)
261. Zana Khan: Zanakhan (variant)
262. Zarghun Shahr: Zarghoon Shaher, Katawaz (variant)
263. Zari: Zaree (variant)
264. Zhari: Zherai (variant)
265. Zinda Jan: Zendajan (variant)
266. Ziruk: Zilok, Ziluk (variant)

Sources:

1. [1] World Food Programme page showing Central Statistics Office population estimates.
2. [2] http://www.aims.org.af/cso/dataSets/documents/population/105Population.pdf (dead link, retrieved ~2002-09).
3. [3] List of districts from Afghanistan Information Management Services (retrieved ~2010-10).
4. [4] Datasets has links to several spreadsheets with province and district data (retrieved ~2010-10).
5. [5] Matching 398 districts to 329 districts is a downloadable spreadsheet dated 2005-06 (retrieved ~2010-10).
6. [6] Index to 32 provincial maps dated fall 2003 (this link takes you to an archived copy).
7. [7] Population estimates for 1990 come from a spreadsheet downloaded from the Assistance Afghanistan website at http://www.pcpafg.org/ (dead link, retrieved 2001-08-23). The data are credited to United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Blank cells probably represent newly created districts, whose populations are lumped in with the old districts from which they were split. The total population of each province is consistent with the district populations in that province.
8. [8] UNDP/FAO Map showing 29 provinces, with district boundaries as of ~1987 (this link takes you to an archived copy).
9. [9] Index to 29 UNDP/FAO maps, each showing the districts in one province (this link takes you to an archived copy).
10. [10] Reliefweb map of districts at http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/fullMaps\_Sa.nsf/luFullMap/EFE616E31643E7BA85256B3500780276/$File/afg\_mine.pdf (dead link, retrieved 2002-08-10).