Known for its historical buildings and minarets, Herat is one of the largest provinces of Afghanistan. It is located in the west of the country.
Situated at 63 degree latitude and 43 degree longitude, Herat shares its borders with Badghis and Turkmenistan in the north, Farah in south while Ghor in east Iran in and in west.
As per 2009 estimate, its population touched the figure of 1,676,000 while its land area is 5,586,853 square kilometer.
With a history as one of the ancient city, Herat is known with different names in different periods. Herat has the credit to be the center of Islam.      
Districts:
Having 12 municipality districts, Herat is divided into 15 administrative units including Shindand, Engeel, Ghorian, Guzra and Pashtoon Zarghoon as first grade districts. However, Awba, Kurkh, Kushk, Gulran, Kuhsan, Zinda Jan and Adraskan are second grade districts while Kushk-i-Kuhna, Farsi, and Chisht-i-Sharif are third grade districts.
Pashtuns, Tajik, Hazara, Turkmen, Uzbek and Aimaq are the known tribes of the province with Pashtuns represent majority in 11 border districts. The National Solidarity Program is in work in as many as 2, 651 villages.
Dams:
Constructed on Herirod River, the widely known Salma Dam is located in Chesht-i-Sharif District. The dam has the capacity of producing 42 megawatts electricity. After completing its construction work, the dam will help irrigate 2, 000 acres land while the neighboring provinces will also benefit from the electricity to be generated from the dam.
Culture:
Poetry and literature have large number of fans in Herat with the province arrange cultural activities most of the time. The province is historically known as a cradle for literature and knowledge. The province produces big names of international repute in poetry and literature.
Herat was one the capital of Alexander the Great with the Herat Arg (Qala-i-Ikhtiaruddin) was the sign of dignity at that time.
The great poet and Sufi Khwaja Abdullah Ansari and Abdul Rahman Jami are among culturists that contributed to the beauty of Herat. Currently, the province has leading poets, singers and writers. There are multiple literary and cultural associations such as Herat Cultural Association, Ustad  Mashal, Peer-i-Herat, Poem and Literary Association, Ustad Kamaluddin Behzad Art Association, Khwaja Abdullah Ansar Social Association, Ghor People Union, Turkmen Social Union, Youths Union, Education and Ethics Union, Ahmad Shah Masoud Social and Cultural Association, Youth Movement Association, Spena Adi Cultrual Association, Malala Cultural Association, Wer Literary Association, Students Cultural and Social Association, Shindand Penmen Association, Mashriqi Social Association, Mohmands’s Association, Wardak’s Association, Maidanians Association and the Afghans Association, which contribute to the progress and prosperity of the arts, culture and literature and the province as well.    
Historical Monuments:
After noticing that Herat is an ancient province, UNESCO prompted to put the province in world cultural heritage program list. Pul-i-Malan, Minarets of Herat, the Congregational Mosque of Kherqa, Herat Arg, Herat Mosque, Herat Peer, Shahrukh Mirza, Maulana Jami, Imam Fakhr Razi, Shehzada Qasim, Shehzada Abdullah, Sultan Agha, Khwaja Ghaltan Wali, Mullah Waiz Kashifi, Khwaja Abdullah Ansari and the Gauhar Arshad Begum Mosque are among some historical monuments.
Celebrities:
Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Abdul Rahman Jami, Imam Fakhr Razi, Khwaja Ghaltan Wali, Mir Abdul Waheed Shahid, Sultan Hussain Biaqra, Malika Gauhar Shad Begem, Mihri Herawi, Spina Adi, Fazl-e-Haq Khaliqyar, Kamaludin Behzad, Abdulwaheed Bahra, Mirwais Sadiq, Amanullah Khan Nikzad, Mawlawi Khudaidad Saleh, Amir Ismail Khan, Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Amina Afzali, Dr. Humayoon Azizi, Khair Mohammad Khairkhwa, Sayed Mohammad Khairkhwa and Dr. Dawood Shah Saba are among globally known celebrities of Herat.
Media:
The maiden newspaper of Herat was the Itefaq-i-Islam with its first edition came to market some 95 years back. Currently, in addition to national radio and television, Herat has a host of  print and broadcast media outlets including Herat, Herai, Saqi, Maihan, Asia, Taban, Omid, Milat, Sima-i-Ghorian and Islah TVs and Herat, Amozesh, Dezwan Ghag, Killid, Sahar, Faryad, Zuhal and Shehrzad radio stations.    
The print media include dailies Iteffaq-i-Islam and Akhbar-i-Roz and Shahrema, Marefat, Nasim-i-Iman and Harewa are monthly magazines that are being published from Herat.
A number of local and international media have an active presence in the province. The local and international media include Pajhwok, Reuters, Bakhter and other news agencies while Tolo Television, Shamshad Television, Arianan, Lemar, Afghan, RTA TVs. Radio Azadi, BBC, Voice of Germany, Arman, Arakozia and Sta Ghag radio stations.
Education:
In addition, there are 791 schools in Herat where 750,000 students half of them girls get education. Herat has one public and ten private universities and other higher education institutions. The province has 15 private schools. As many as 12,000 officials and 300 contractor teachers discharge their duties in the education sector.
Agriculture:
Herat has plain geographical landscape and the Harirood River helped pave ground for more agriculture related activities. There are natural almond and pistachio forests--- largely viewed as a main source of economy of the people. Wheat, rice, corns, grapes, apples, mulberry, pomegranates, saffron and different kinds of vegetables are the main products in Herat.
Trade and handicrafts:
Trade and handicrafts are the people’s ancient tradition. Even in BC, Herat was a big trade center on Silk Road connecting central Asia with China and Europe. Since long, its marble and glass made products are known worldwide. World’s famous museums keep Herat marble and glass made products. The province has 400 industrial factories and industrial parks where 20,000 Afghans and 300 foreigners are employed. The industrial park is Guzra District cross from the airport on Herat-Kandahar Highway. The province has Islam Qala and Torghoni ports, which offer excellent job opportunities to the people of the area and stabilize their economy.
Sports:
Herat has various sports activities and has 15 sports clubs registered with the Olympic Committee. As many as 11,000 youth including girls enjoy different kind of sports. Volleyball, Basket ball, Judo, Bodybuilding, Wrestling and Buzkashi are major sports in Heart. However, Cricket, Football, Running, Taekwondo, Badminton, Boxing and Chess are getting familiarity among youth.