Band-e Amir National Park, in the mountains of Bamyan Province in central Afghanistan, was the country's first national park. It protects a series of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams of travertine, a mineral deposit formed by the lakes' carbonate-rich water. The lakes lie at a high altitude, in a landscape of dry cliffs and desert, and they have become one of Afghanistan's most beautiful natural attractions and a rare tourist destination. Local legends link the lakes to Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and pilgrims visit a shrine nearby. The park lies close to the site of the destroyed Buddhas of Bamyan, and its protection has been supported by international conservation organisations.
Before and after
- 2009Discovery of Staffordshire Hoard
- 2009Discovery of tennessine
- 2009Rise of effective altruism
- 2009Premiere of As Aventuras de Gui & Estopa
- 2009Establishment of Band-e Amir National Park
- 2 January 2009Discovery of HAT-P-11 b
- 3 January 2009Release of Bitcoin
- 7 January 2009Premiere of Masha and the Bear
- 15 January 2009US Airways Flight 1549
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The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 21st century.
