Gandhara: Difference between revisions
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Gandhara is a diverse country, consisting of different religious and ethnic groups that are unified through a shared [[Wikipedia:Arab_culture|Arab language and culture]]. Although the word ''Gandhari'' refers to all the citizens with a Gandhari passport ([[Wikipedia:Nationality|nationality]]), it is also used to refer to the Gandhari people, the largest ethnic group of the country. Other major ethnic groups are the [[Wikipedia:Kurdish_people|Kurdish]] and [[Wikipedia:Baloch_people|Baloch people]], accounting for almost 23% of the total population. | Gandhara is a diverse country, consisting of different religious and ethnic groups that are unified through a shared [[Wikipedia:Arab_culture|Arab language and culture]]. Although the word ''Gandhari'' refers to all the citizens with a Gandhari passport ([[Wikipedia:Nationality|nationality]]), it is also used to refer to the Gandhari people, the largest ethnic group of the country. Other major ethnic groups are the [[Wikipedia:Kurdish_people|Kurdish]] and [[Wikipedia:Baloch_people|Baloch people]], accounting for almost 23% of the total population. | ||
As of 2014, the population of Gandhara is around 32,114,607. In 1950, the population was reported to be about 20.5 million. There are three cities with over a million residents: Manas, the capital Rhea, and [[Kazmi]]. According to the [[Wikipedia:Population_Reference_Bureau|Population Reference Bureau]] the Gandhari population is estimated to increase to 60 million by 2050. | As of 2014, the population of Gandhara is around 32,114,607. In 1950, the population was reported to be about 20.5 million. There are three cities with over a million residents: Manas, the capital Rhea, and [[Kazmi]]. According to the [[Wikipedia:Population_Reference_Bureau|Population Reference Bureau]] the Gandhari population is estimated to increase to 60 million by 2050. | ||
==Transport== | |||
===Highways and roads=== | |||
In the 1960s, the government made plans to improve the nation's road network. Besides the improvement of existing roads, new [[Wikipedia:Limited-access_road|expressways]] and [[Wikipedia:Controlled-access_highway|motorways]] would be created. The first Gandhari motorway, [[Freeway 1 (Gandhara)|Freeway 1]], opened in 1966 to traffic between Manas and the Lettucian border. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 22:48, 1 February 2015
Arab Republic of Gandhara | |
---|---|
Motto: بالله نثق (Arabic) In God we trust | |
Anthem: ترنيمة من غانذارا (Arabic) Hymn of the Gandhari | |
Capital | Rhea |
Largest city | Manas |
Official languages | Arabic |
Recognised regional languages | |
Ethnic groups | |
Demonym | Gandhari |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
Yasser Thunayan | |
• Prime Minister | Ahmad Jamil Bhatti |
Area | |
• Total | 672,172 km2 (259,527 sq mi) |
Population | |
• 2014 estimate | 32,114,607 |
• Density | 47.78/km2 (123.7/sq mi) |
Currency | Gandhari dinar (GAD) |
Date format | DD/MM/YYYY |
Drives on the | right |
Calling code | 969 |
Internet TLD | .ga |
Gandhara (Arabic: غانذارا, Gāndhāra), officially the Arab Republic of Gandhara, is a country located in Outernatia. It is bordered by Lettuce in the west, by Dalmadria in the north, and by Almarania in the south. It has a population of around 32 million people and its territory covers 672,172 km² (259,527 sq mi). Its capital Rhea is among the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world. A country of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts, it is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups, including the majority Gandhari population.
The modern Gandhari state was established after the Gandhari Revolution, which led to the establishment of an Arab republic on 10 December 1957. The president of Gandhara is Yasser Thunayan since 4 September 2004.
Modern Gandhara is considered to be a regional and middle power, with significant cultural, political, and military influence in Outernatia and the Muslim world. Its economy is one of the largest and most diversified in Outernatia, and its extensive mineral and energy resources have made it one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas globally. While the capital Rhea is the political center, the city of Manas is considered the economic and business center of Gandhara. The national currency is the Gandhari dinar, and Arabic is the official language.
Etymology
The country's name derives from the ancient kingdom Gāndhāra (Sanskrit: गन्धार), that lasted from the Vedic period (ca.1750–500 BCE). The kingdom was located in modern day Sadat. The origin of the name is not certain, but it has been suggested that it originates from the Sanskrit word gandha, meaning perfume and "referring to the spices and aromatic herbs which they [the inhabitants] traded and with which they anointed themselves."[1]
Geography
Gandhara is located in eastern Outernatia. The country lies between latitudes 6°N and 3°S, and longitudes 127° and 137°E. It straddles the Equator, with 86% to the North and 14% to the South. The territory covers 672,172 km² (259,527 sq mi).
A big part of Gandhara consists of the Gandhari plateau. The landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges, desert basins, and, in the eastern part of the country, dense rain forests. It is a very mountainous country, with ranges such as the Altair Mountains and the Umayyah. The last contains Gandhara's highest point, Mount Taysir, at 5,824 m (19,107 ft).
Climate
The climate of Gandhara varies due to its geographical size. The largest part of the country has an arid or semi-arid climate, while the western and northern edge, and the eastern and southern part of the country have a subtropical climate.
High-lying areas can have harsh winters, with an average temperature in January below −15 °C (5 °F), while the low-lying areas have hot summers, where average summer temperatures exceed 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Demographics
Gandhara is a diverse country, consisting of different religious and ethnic groups that are unified through a shared Arab language and culture. Although the word Gandhari refers to all the citizens with a Gandhari passport (nationality), it is also used to refer to the Gandhari people, the largest ethnic group of the country. Other major ethnic groups are the Kurdish and Baloch people, accounting for almost 23% of the total population.
As of 2014, the population of Gandhara is around 32,114,607. In 1950, the population was reported to be about 20.5 million. There are three cities with over a million residents: Manas, the capital Rhea, and Kazmi. According to the Population Reference Bureau the Gandhari population is estimated to increase to 60 million by 2050.
Transport
Highways and roads
In the 1960s, the government made plans to improve the nation's road network. Besides the improvement of existing roads, new expressways and motorways would be created. The first Gandhari motorway, Freeway 1, opened in 1966 to traffic between Manas and the Lettucian border.
References
- ^ Thomas Watters (1904). "On Yuan Chwang's travels in India, 629–645 A.D.". Royal Asiatic Society. p. 200. "Taken as Gandhavat the name is explained as meaning hsiang-hsing or "scent-action" from the word gandha which means scent, small, perfume." At the Internet Archive.