Wakhan Corridor (Ancient silk route)

Afghanistan / Badahsan / Qaleh-ye Panjeh /
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High altitude pass at the eastern end of the Wakhan Corridor (currently part of Afgahnistan). Area today is barely inhabited (Nomadic herders), but it was an ancient trade route between China and the middle east, the direct route from Beijing to Bagdad. Today there are no roads in the area, and even mobility on horseback is impossible for much of the year due to high snowcover. The passage is about 4200 meters above sea level.
Near the area where today China, Takistan, Pakistan and Afganistan converge. The Wakham corridor was made part of Afganistan (a long narrow appendage) in the early 20th century, to separate the Russian sphere of influence and the British sphere of influence (now Pakistan) near the straegically important southeastern corner of China.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakhan_Corridor
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°7'0"N   73°14'55"E

Comments

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game
  • The most liberal in the country.
  • .... South Western, not South Eastern, corner ....
  • North Western corner; to be more exact......
This article was last modified 9 years ago