tables, eager to learn more about the grueling journey ahead". Climate Zaranj has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with very hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is very low, and mostly falls in winter. Temperatures in summer may approach . Demographics According to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) along with UNHCR and Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Afghanistan, the population of Zaranj was around 49,851 in 2004. The ethnic groups are as follows: Baloch 44%, Pashtun 34% and Tajik 22%. The city of Zaranj has a population of 160,902 people. There are 17,878 residential dwellings in Zarat and 1,759 hectares of agricultural land. Commercial land use is clustered on the main road to Iran. Notable people Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar founder of the Saffarid dynasty of Sistan, born in Karnin near Zaranj Amr ibn al-Layth second ruler of the Saffarid dynasty, born in Karnin near Zaranj Al-Layth ibn Ali ibn al-Layth, amir of the Saffarid amirate in Zaranj from 909 until 910 Al-Mu'addal ibn al-Layth, Saffarid ruler of Zaranj for a part of 911 Route 606: Delaram-Zaranj Highway The Delaram–Zaranj Highway, also known as Route 606, is a 217-km or 135-mile-long two-lane road built by India in Afghanistan, connecting Delaram in Farah Province with Zaranj in neighbouring Nimruz Province near the Iranian border. It connects the Afghan–Iranian border with the Kandahar–Herat Highway in Delaram, which provides connectivity to other major Afghan cities via A01, including to India's planned mining operation in Hajigak mining concession. Route 606 reduces travel time between Delaram and Zaranj from the earlier 12–14 hours to just 2 hours. India-Iran signed an agreement in May 2016 to connect it to Port of Chabahar with rail and road links. See also List of cities in Afghanistan Islam Qala Drangiana References Bibliography Bosworth, C. E., "Sistān ii. In the Islamic period," in Encyclopaedia Iranica (2011). Gnoli, G., "Dahan-e Ḡolāmān," in Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol. 6 (1993), 582–585. Schmitt, R., "Drangiana," in Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol. 7 (1995) 534–537. External links (May 10, 2022) Zaranj shows promise for future of Nimroz province Nimruz Province Populated places in Nimruz Province Afghanistan–Iran border crossings Saffarid dynasty Sistan Provincial capitals in Afghanistan