A mountainous region on the edge of the Hindu Kush, Wakhan (or the Wakhan corridor as it is sometimes known) is sparsely populated and relatively poor.

Most of the people in Wakhan survive by farming, fishing in the mountain rivers and lakes, making traditionally woven carpets and timber production, all on a very small scale. With the building of the Wakhan Dam and Hydro Electric Power Plant, it is thought that the region will become more prosperous by attracting new industries, businesses and tourism.

The population is expected to grow considerably, and with this will come an improved infrastructure, which will make the area more attractive to prospective employers creating great potential for continued growth.

It is predicted that Wakhan will become a region of major financial importance for Afghanistan, however, with its unique proximity to so many frontiers it will always be vulnerable to political instability or aggression from neighbouring international states.

Wakhan and Afghanistan - the maps, just where in the world is Wakhan?
The "finger" or narrow strip of land extending Eastwards to China is part of the Silk Road and is the Wakhan region of Afghanistan.

Click here for the Afghanistan map (51K, 14 seconds download time)

Click here for the Wakhan map (63K, 18 seconds download time)