When we talk about the longest roads in the world, there are some routes that they crosses many countries or even almost cover an entire continent.
Many of you know that the Pan-American Highway is the longest road in the world, but which is the second-longest road in the world?
The second-longest road in the world is Asian Highway 1 (AH1), and it is the longest highway in Asia. It covers about 20,557 km and connects Tokyo in Japan with the Turkey-Bulgaria border and covers almost 14 countries of the Asian continent.
What Is Asian Highway 1?
Asian Highway 1, also called AH1, is the longest route in the Asian Highway Network and the second-longest road in the world.
It runs from Tokyo, Japan, in the east to the Turkey-Bulgaria border in the west. The route passes through several important countries of Asia and links East Asia with South Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Source: reddit
Quick Facts About Asian Highway 1
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Feature
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Details
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Name
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Asian Highway 1
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Route Number
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AH1
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Length
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About 20,557 km
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Starting Point
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Tokyo, Japan
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Western End
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Turkey-Bulgaria border
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Region
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Asia and Europe connection
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Type
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International highway route
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Network
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Asian Highway Network
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Direction
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East to West
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Which Countries Does AH1 Connect?
Asian Highway 1 passes through 14 countries in its main route. These countries are:
1. Japan
2. South Korea
3. North Korea
4. China
5. Vietnam
6. Cambodia
7. Thailand
8. Myanmar
9. India
10. Bangladesh
11. Pakistan
12. Afghanistan
13. Iran
14. Turkey
*Turkey is included as the western country/endpoint area of the route; the AH1 reaches the Turkey-Bulgaria international border. Route descriptions also include Hong Kong as part of the China section.
What Is the Route of Asian Highway 1?
The route begins in Tokyo, Japan, and moves westward through East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
A simplified route is:
Tokyo → South Korea → North Korea → China → Vietnam → Cambodia → Thailand → Myanmar → India → Bangladesh → Pakistan → Afghanistan → Iran → Turkey
The route finally reaches the Turkey-Bulgaria border, where it connects with the European road network.
AH1 Route in India: States and Major Cities Connecting Bangladesh to Pakistan
After entering India from Petrapole in West Bengal on the Bangladesh border, AH1 travels west and northwest through several Indian states before reaching Attari in Punjab, where it connects with Pakistan at the Wagah border.
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Order
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State/UT
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Major Cities and Places on AH1
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1
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West Bengal
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Petrapole, Bongaon, Barasat, Kolkata, Bardhaman, Durgapur, Asansol
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2
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Jharkhand
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Dhanbad, Barhi
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3
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Bihar
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Mohania
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4
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Uttar Pradesh
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Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Agra
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5
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Delhi
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New Delhi
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6
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Haryana
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Sonipat, Ambala
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7
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Punjab
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Jalandhar, Amritsar, Attari
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Border
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Punjab–Pakistan
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Attari–Wagah Border
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Simple route:
Bangladesh – Petrapole – Kolkata – Bardhaman – Durgapur – Asansol – Dhanbad – Barhi – Mohania – Varanasi – Prayagraj – Kanpur – Agra – New Delhi – Sonipat – Ambala – Jalandhar – Amritsar – Attari – Pakistan
Which Indian States Does AH1 Connect Between Bangladesh and Pakistan?
AH1 connects through these Indian states/UTs on its Bangladesh-to-Pakistan stretch:
West Bengal – Jharkhand – Bihar – Uttar Pradesh – Delhi – Haryana – Punjab
Why Is Asian Highway 1 Important?
AH1 is important because it helps create a road connection between different parts of Asia.
1. Connects East and West
It provides a major road link between Japan in East Asia and Turkey near Europe.
2. Helps Trade
Road connections between countries can make it easier to move goods and products across borders.
3. Supports Tourism
Better road connections can make travel between neighbouring countries easier.
4. Connects Many Regions
The route passes through East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia.
5. Important for India
India lies along this major international route and is connected to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan through the wider Asian Highway system.