Kandahar (Ancient Greek; Alexandria Arachosia) is the second largest city in Afghanistan; with a population of about 468;200 as of 2006. It is the capital of Kandahar province; located in the south of the country at about 1;005 m (3;297 feet) above sea level. The Arghandab River runs along the west of the city.

Kandahar is a major trading center for sheep; wool; cotton; silk; felt; food grains; fresh and dried fruit; and tobacco. The region produces fine fruits; especially pomegranates and grapes; and the city has plants for canning; drying; and packing fruit.

Many empires have long fought over the city; due to its strategic location along the trade routes of Southern and Central Asia. In 1709; Mirwais Hotak made the region an independent kingdom and turned Kandahar into the capital of the Hotaki dynasty. In 1747; Ahmad Shah Durrani; founder of the Afghan Empire; made it the capital of modern Afghanistan.

From 1996 to 2001; Kandahar served as the capital of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Since 2002; the city is slowly being rebuilt.