In many ways, Afghanistan's history has been influenced by its location and terrain. The towering Hindu Kush forms the central backbone of the country. These mountains are nearly as high and certainly as rugged as the Himalayas. The word kush means "death," a name that probably stems from the danger posed to people crossing the mountains. The Hindu Kush also marks the boundaries of three regions. The first consists of the mountains themselves. At their feet lie several fertile valleys where most Afghans live. North of the Hindu Kush is a region of semiarid plains. The land to the south is mostly desert.
For centuries, merchants and soldiers crossed Afghanistan on their way to or from China, Southwest Asia, and India. Although the Hindu Kush formed a barrier, openings such as the Khyber Pass allowed some movement.
