Maidan Wardak province lies on 6,886,383 degrees longitude and 3, 4 39,458 degrees latitude while 2,210 meters above the see level.
Latest statistics reveals, the province has approximately one million populations.
Ranked third, Maidan Wardak is among central provinces of the country with its capital city is known as Maidan Shahr, which is located almost 35 kilometers west of Kabul city.
Kabul and Logar is located to the east of Maidan Wardak, Bamyan to the west, Ghazni to the south and southwest, Parwan to the north while the province of Bamyan is located to its northwest.
At least, 47 civil and military institutions are efficiently functioning in the province.
Maidan Wardak got recognition of provincial status in 1964 and is a known gateway for most vital transit routes between Kabul- Herat and Kabul- Bamyan.
Weather of the province is generally cold but it is warm during summer season. However, its fall and winter are very cold because of heavy snowfall.
Districts:
Maidan Shahr is the provincial capital of the province while Sayed Abad, Jaghto, Chak, Daimirdad, Jalrez, central Bihsud and Hisa-i-Awal Bihsud are its districts.
Education:
The total strength of students studying in the province’s school and other educational institutions stands at 172,892 with 44, 791 of them is girls.
As many as 4,729 teachers impart education to students in various institutions of the province including high schools, primary schools, Dar-ul-hifaz, Madrasas, Dar-ul-Ulum, technical and pedagogical institutes.
As many as 231 schools have no proper buildings, however, relevant authorities have held out assurances to start construction work as soon as possible.
The schools elsewhere in the province are functioning except the one Dar-ul-Ulum that is being closed down by the Taliban in Chak district. However, armed groups issue threats against the girl’s education but elders of villages interfere to resolve the issue.
Though the government has approved to establish a university is approved in the province, its formal activities yet to be started. A technical institute in Chak district has resumed educational activities offering services in twelve different filed since a couple of years. In addition, the institute offers two years professional education.
Similarly, the province has three private high schools and a lone private university known as Tabish Institute of Higher Education.
Agriculture:
People of Maidan Wardak are agrarians. Agriculture is the main source of income of the people.
A total of agriculture land is estimated 439, 214 hectares out of which 32, 691 hectares is irrigated and 11,120 hectares is rain-feed while another 1, 104 hectares agricultural land is owned by the government. The orchards in the province spread on 10, 980 hectares land.
As per survey, approximately 107, 641 individuals associate with the profession of agriculture. Farmers irrigate their land through rivers water, tube wells and other natural resources of irrigation.
The province is known for exporting fruits such as apricot, cherry, pears, almond, walnut, apple and other fruits.
Maidan Wardak is famous for producing different kinds of apples such as Marilang, Biroti and Zbar, which are not only exported locally but also exported to Pakistan, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Central Asian States.
Wheat, corn, been, potatoes and other grains are cultivated in different parts of the province.
Average production of apples reach to 122, 976 tones, potatoes 91, 534 tones and wheat, 41, 1475 tones.
The province has a mountainous areas covered by almond trees. Livestock and bees forms are another source of income of the people.
Handcraft:
People in Maidan Wardak still associate with the long adopted handcraft tradition. Weaving of carpets, blankets, Jackets, gloves, placket with making of necklaces, bracelets and ring from beads are the main handcrafts in the province. Their products are exported locally, which leave positive impact on their income.
Main Dams:
There are seven locations identified for the construction of dams that can help irrigate thousand hectares of land, which are as follow: Ghandahkol Dam in Jaghtu district, Chak Dam Chak district, Gardan Masjid Dam Chak district, Baghak Dam Sayedabad Shniz valley, Aqchi Dam Nirkh district, Sanglakh Dam Jalrez district, Surkh Abad dam in central Behsud district.
The World Bank already approved the construction of six dams and reconstruction of Chak Power Project, which includes reconstruction of electricity department and installations of two new turbines by the Ministry of Water and Power, but reconstruction work could not be initiated due to the reasons best known to the authorities.
Ranking fifth in terms of power generation capacity, the Chak dam with credit of providing electricity to Kabul city thirty years ago, is now in dilapidated condition due to decades of war in the country.
People of the locality want early reconstruction of the dam who viewed bolstered security is pre-requisite to initiate construction work on the project.
Mines:
Rich in natural resources, the province has 32 registered mines sites, which are as follow: Badam Surkh Baidak chromites mine in Nirkh district, Abdari chromites mine in Nirkh district, Titmor chromites mine in Maidan Shahr, Chaghri chromites mine in Nirkh district, Daipak chromites mine in Nirkh district, Loy Abdari chromites mine in Sayedabad district, Daimangalio chromites mine in Sayedabad district, Daihaft Asiab chromites mine in Saydabad district, Naurod chromites mine in Sayedabad district, Tangi Chilgam chromites mine Saydabad, Dostkol chromites mine in Hisa-i-Awal Behsud, Kaulsuleman marble mine in Maidan Shahr, Kharoto marble mine in Maidan Shahr, Dostkol marble mine in Hisa-i-Awal Behsud, Yurdbala marble mine in Hisa-i-Awal Behsud, Kamran Khail marble mine in Saydabad, Loiabdair marble mine in Saydabad, Mangalio marble mine in Sayedabad, Wariabdari marble mine in Sayedabad, Spin Warsak marble mine in Sayedabad, Jokol marble mine in Nirkh, Dashttob marble mine in Nirkh, Samoch and Surkhabad mines in His-i-Doam Behsud, Shah Maqsood minerals stone in Hisa-i-Awal Behsud, Takani mine in Jalrez and Hisa-i-Awal Behsud, Shah Kabul mineral stones mine in Maidan Shahr, Andar mineral stones mine in Nirkh, Badam marble stones mine Nirkh, Fauladpain chalk mine in Daimirdad, Kamaran Kahil Talk mine in Sayedabad, construction stones mine in Maidan Shahr and Faulad Bala chalk mine in Daimirdad District.
Note:
The above mentioned mines are officially registered by with the concerned departments. The locals start exploration by themselves because they know about the mines locations, which are legally not allowed.
The government is direly needed to encourage foreign investors to explore the rich mines of the province, which would help stabilize economy of the country and locals as well.
Historical sites:
People in Maidan Wardak feel pride on their historical antiquity of 18 sites. Following are some of the registered sites: Kumbad Shah and Gughtai dynasty in central Kangart village, Alagta historical city in Nirkh district, Khwajah Buland Wali valley in Nirkh district, Muslim Valley in Nirkh district, Kashk Takana hill in Jalrez and Nirkh district, Sar Chashma Ziarat in Nirkh district, Angor Bagh in Chak and Nirkh district, Kapir Kala or Yarah Kala in Daimirdad district, Bodak hill in Daimirdad district, Chato hill in Daimirdad district, Katab hill in Daimirdad district, Bodak Kalakh in Daimirdad district, Sayab historical site in Chak district, Bak Sayyab hill in Chaghto district, Jo Zanghi valley in Hisa-i-Awal Behsud district, Sarkak in central Bihsud district, Argh hill in central Bihsud district and Chal Gazi Baba Ziarat in Nirkh district.
Celebrities:
The province has the credit to have great celebrities including Ghazi Mohammad Jan Wardak, Dr. Abdul Wakil Khan, Arsalan Salimi, Gulam Nabi Khan Wardak, Engineer Ghulam Muhammad Farhad, Ustad Gul Muhammad, Ustad Abdul Jalil Jadi, Asmat Wardak, Pohand Abdul Qayyum Khan Wardak, Abdullah Khan Wardak, Maulvi Abdul Rab Ahadi, Ustad Habibullah Rafi, Pohand Dr. Latif Bahand, Arif Nangyar, Shrat Nangyal, Pohand Dr. Muhammad Musa Wardak, Pohand Akbar Wardak and Muhammad Zubair Shafiqi.
Some prominent individuals from Maidan Wardak are widely known and it is not possible to make mention of them in the list.
Media:
Keeping in mind the geographical feature and security situation of the province, Maidan Wardak fails to make achievements in developing its vital media sector. However, there is some development in the media sector, which cannot be ignored.
Following are the media outlets functioning in the province.
Magazines:
Ghghto, Dariz, Ahad, Azan, Zaland, Ratlonki, Wardak, Manah, Jalgah and Swanan weekly and monthly outlets.
Radios and Television:
National Radio Television, United Voice, Zala Television, Chak Radio, National Goal, Pizwan, Badlon and Municipality Radio, which has halted its broadcast because of unknown reason.
Some media outlets could not continue to offer services, which halted after surviving for a short span of time.
Civil and Cultural Societies:
After the installation of transition government, some civil societies emerged in Maidan Wardak, which are:
·         Ahad Art and Cultural Society
·         Ghaghto Civil and Cultural Society
·         Maidan Youth Art and Cultural Society
·         Salman Fars Cultural Center
·         Maidan Broadcasting Society
·         Khwakogi Art and Cultural Society
·         Wardak Youth Cultural Society
·         Chak Art Movement
·         Wardak Youth Civil Society
·         Journalist Union
·         Zaland Art Society
·         Maidan Wardak Youth National and Social Organ
·         Sisters Union Society
More societies, unions and organizations are likely to be established with the passage of time and the list will be updated accordingly.
Manai Gul poetry concert is the most popular program in the province where poets within and outside the province take pa. The concert is being held since last decade.
For the first time, the poetry concert was held in Chak district but in the backdrop of worsening security situation, it is now held in Maidan Shahr.
Gallery:
Two years ago, the national gallery was inaugurated known as Abdul Rab Ahadi in the capital, Maidan Shahr.
The gallery has now opened with hundreds of portraits including former Kings of Afghanistan, Ghazies, well-known martyrs and commanders of Maidan Wardak. The paintings depict the stories of their lives, which are on display for visitors.
Sports:
Traditional athletic games such as sliding, jumping, running, wrestling and others are common sports in the provinces. In addition, sports of the day including volleyball, football, cricket, taekwondo, judo, weight lifting and body building are also common among youth. Cricket and football are getting popular among the people.
The private clubs are promoting sports in the province. Turkey has built a sport complex in the capital city as part of rehabilitation program to provide sport facilities to the people.