Helmand River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helmand River
Map of the Helmand River drainage basin
Map of the Helmand River drainage basin
Physical characteristics
Main source	Hindu Kush mountains
River mouth	Lake Hamun
Length	1,150 km (710 mi)
Basin features
Basin size	Sistan Basin
Tributaries	Left: Arghandab River Right: Khash River Chagay River

The Helmand River (also spelled Helmend, Helmund, Hirmand; Pashto/Persian: هیرمند, هلمند Hīrmand, Helmand, Greek: Ἐτύμανδρος (Etýmandros), Latin: Erymandrus) is the longest river in Afghanistan. The name means "dammed, having a dam". Helmand Province is named after the river.

The Helmand river stretches for 1,150 km (710 mi). It rises in the Hindu Kush mountains, about 80 km (50 mi) west of Kabul (34°34′N 68°33′E / 34.567°N 68.550°E / 34.567; 68.550), passing north of the Unai Pass. It crosses south-west through the desert of Dashti Margo, to the Seistan marshes and the Hamun-i-Helmand lake region around Zabol at the Afghan-Iranian border (31°9′N 61°33′E / 31.150°N 61.550°E / 31.150; 61.550).

• Frye, Richard N. (1963). The Heritage of Persia. World Publishing company, Cleveland, Ohio. Mentor Book edition, 1966.
• Toynbee, Arnold J. (1961). Between Oxus and Jumna. London. Oxford University Press.
• Vogelsang, W. (1985). "Early historical Arachosia in South-east Afghanistan; Meeting-place between East and West." Iranica antiqua, 20 (1985), pp. 55-99.

Images for kids

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  Helmand River basin map

See also

In Spanish: Río Helmand para niños