Band-e Amir is a series of six incredibly deep blue lakes in the heart of the central Afghanistan.
This outflow of water percolates slowly through the underlying limestone, dissolving its principal mineral, calcium carbonate.
These dams are usually about 10m high and 3m wide.
Water cascades from one lake to the other near travertine terraces serving as massive natural dams between the lakes.
The high mineral content of the lakes also causes the intense and varying colors of the lake waters.
The largest is Band-e Zulfiqar, which measures some 6.5km (4mi) in length.
The most accessible of the lakes is Band-e-Haibat, literally translated as Dam of Awe.
Band-e-Amir had been a destination for travelers since the 1950s.
