1. Kabul – 4,434,550
The capital and by far largest city—political, cultural & economic center nestled in a high mountain valley.
2. Herat – 574,300
Historic western city near the Iranian border, known for Islamic architecture and trade.
3. Mazar‑e Sharif – 523,300
Northern hub famed for the Blue Mosque and as a Silk Road crossroads.
4. Kandahar – 523,300
Key Pashtun cultural center and former capital of Afghanistan.
5. Jalalabad – 271,900
Gateway to eastern Afghanistan; rich in history and situated near Torkham crossing.
6. Kunduz – 161,902
Major trade city in the northeast near the Uzbek border.
7. Ghazni – 141,000
Ancient fortress town with Islamic and Ghurid-era heritage.
8. Balkh – 114,883
Site of ancient Bactra; birthplace of Zoroastrian civilization and Islamic devotional sites.
9. Baghlan (Puli Khumri) – 108,449
Industrial city on the Kabul River, known for coal mining and fertilizer plants.
10. Gardez – 103,601
Eastern Paktia Province capital with ancient Buddhist and Islamic history.
11. Khost – 96,123
Eastern frontier city near Pakistan border; military, trade and regional hub.
12. Maymana – 75,900
Far-northern Faryab capital known for agriculture and multiethnic heritage.
13. Khanabad (Kunduz Region) – 71,531
District town near Kunduz, acting as local trade and transport center.
14. Bazarak – 65,000
Provincial capital of Panjshir Valley, known for resistance history and scenic mountains.
15. Bazar‑e Yakawlang – 65,000
Highland district in Bamyan Province with cultural significance and rural markets.
16. Khulm (Tashqurghan) – 64,933
Northern town on ancient Kushan trade routes and silk road legacy.
17. Taloqan – 64,256
Takhar Province capital near the Tajik border, key regional center.
18. Bamyan – 61,863
Mountainous provincial capital famous for Buddha niches and breathtaking landscapes.
19. Pul‑e Khumri – 56,369
Baghlan capital and industrial center with hydroelectric dams.
20. Sheberghan – 55,641
Northwestern city known for Petrochemical production and archaeological relics of Tillya Tepe.
21. Charikar – 53,676
Parwan Province capital north of Kabul known for bazaars and transport links.
22. Sar‑e Pul – 52,121
City in north-central Afghanistan surrounded by orchards and historical sites.
23. Zaranj – 49,851
Capital of Nimroz Province on Iran border, key trade and desert outpost.
24. Paghman – 49,157
Resort town west of Kabul, known for gardens and presidential palaces.
25. Asadabad – 48,400
Capital of eastern Kunar Province, gateway to mountainous border regions.
The above is subject to change.
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