Which two countries are connected by the Khyber Pass?

Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Khyber Pass is a renowned and historically significant mountain pass that connects Afghanistan and Pakistan. This ancient passageway is situated in the rugged mountain ranges of the eastern Hindu Kush, and it carves a narrow path through the borderlands between the two countries. Specifically, the pass links the northeastern part of Afghanistan with the northwestern region of Pakistan, running from the Afghan city of Jalalabad to the Pakistani town of Peshawar.

The Khyber Pass has an elevation of approximately 1,070 meters (3,510 feet) at its highest point and has been a key strategic corridor for military campaigns and trade routes for thousands of years. Its strategic importance comes from its status as one of the few passable routes through the formidable Hindu Kush mountain range, which serves as a natural barrier between the Central Asian and Indian subcontinent regions. This made it a crucial passage for various empires, including the Persians, Greeks under Alexander the Great, Mongols, Mughals, and eventually the British in their pursuit to control the Indian subcontinent.

Throughout history, the Khyber Pass has been witness to countless invasions, trade caravans, and migration flows, making it a cultural and historical melting pot. During the era of British rule in India, the Pass was critical for controlling the Afghan border area and as a tactical point for any potential Russian advances towards British India, a scenario often referred to as “The Great Game.”

In modern times, the Khyber Pass retains its geographical and strategic significance. It remains one of the primary routes for trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, though its political and security dynamics are complex given the ongoing regional conflicts and the presence of various military and insurgent groups in the area.

The Pass not only serves as a physical connector between Afghanistan and Pakistan but also as a symbolic link between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, showcasing the blend of cultures, languages, and traditions that have traversed and settled in the region through centuries. The rugged terrain, strategic importance, and historical legacies of the Khyber Pass continue to make it a point of interest and significance in South Asian geopolitics and history.