Gandhara
Arab Republic of Gandhara | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms
| |
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 1 September 2001.
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).
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.
