Afghanistan Elevation Facts
| Average elevation |
1,884 m (6,181 ft) |
| Highest point |
Noshak: 7,485 m (24,557 ft) |
| Lowest point |
Amu Darya River: 258 m (846 ft) |
| Elevation range |
7,227 m (23,711 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city |
Qarabolaq: 4,139 m (13,579 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city |
Mazar-i-Sharif: 309 m (1,014 ft) |
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia with an average elevation of approximately 1,884 meters, making it one of the higher countries in the region.
The country is home to a diverse and rugged landscape with towering mountains, deep valleys, and expansive plateaus.
The Hindu Kush mountains make up a significant portion of the country's landscape and include some of the highest peaks in the world.
The terrain in Afghanistan varies greatly with different regions having distinctive characteristics of vegetation, climate and topography.
Highest Point in Afghanistan
The highest point in Afghanistan is Noshak, located in the Hindu Kush mountains with an elevation of 7,485 meters.
Lowest Point in Afghanistan
The lowest point in Afghanistan is the Amu Darya river basin which lies in the northeast of the country with an elevation of approximately 258 meters.
Countries with Similar Topography to Afghanistan
Afghanistan is similar in topography to Pakistan and Iran, countries that have similar mountainous terrain and arid climates.
Highest-Elevation Cities in Afghanistan
Qarabolaq is the highest-elevation city in Afghanistan, at 4,139 m (13,579 ft) above sea level. The table below lists the major cities with their elevations, from highest to lowest.
| City |
Elevation |
Elevation in feet |
| Qarabolaq |
4,139 m |
13,579 ft |
| Pul-e-Alam |
2,336 m |
7,664 ft |
| Ghazni |
2,214 m |
7,264 ft |
| Kabul |
1,808 m |
5,932 ft |
| Charikar |
1,777 m |
5,830 ft |
| Kandahar |
1,010 m |
3,314 ft |
| Herat |
927 m |
3,041 ft |
| Jalalabad |
573 m |
1,880 ft |
| Farah |
553 m |
1,814 ft |
| Kunduz |
396 m |
1,299 ft |
| Mazar-i-Sharif |
309 m |
1,014 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point in Afghanistan?
The highest point in Afghanistan is Noshak, at 7,485 m (24,557 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest point in Afghanistan?
The lowest point in Afghanistan is Amu Darya River, at 258 m (846 ft).
What is the average elevation of Afghanistan?
The average elevation of Afghanistan is 1,884 m (6,181 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
What is the highest-elevation city in Afghanistan?
Qarabolaq is the highest-elevation city in Afghanistan, at 4,139 m (13,579 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest-elevation city in Afghanistan?
Of the cities listed for Afghanistan, Mazar-i-Sharif is the lowest, at 309 m (1,014 ft) above sea level.
What is the elevation range in Afghanistan?
Elevation in Afghanistan ranges from 258 m (846 ft) at Amu Darya River to 7,485 m (24,557 ft) at Noshak, a difference of 7,227 m (23,711 ft).