A Brief Description

A turbulent past as well as a chaotic present describes the country of Afghanistan perfectly.

It was invaded and conquered (over the centuries) by the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Tartars and British, and today it's deeply involved in America's on-going worldwide war on terrorism.

Its brutal 1980's war with Russia caused over a million Afghanis to lose their lives, and when the Russians withdrew in 1989, they subsequently left the country in a turmoil of refugees and poverty.

Internal fighting continued between varied mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the Taliban. Their brutal control and social oppression ended when U.S. and allied military forces invaded the country shortly after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Even with the new government and the recent democratic election, Afghanistan's future is still very uncertain, especially with America's continuing war on terrorism, and its battles with the remaining followers of Usama (Osama) Bin Laden.


Facts and Figures

Name: Afghanistan

(long form) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Population: 29,929,000

Capital City: Kãbul (2.9 million)

Currency: Afghani (AFA)

Languages: Afghan Persian (official), Pashtu (official), Turkic languages and local dialects



National Day: August 19

Religions: Sunni Muslim (80%), Shi'a Muslim (19%)

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
34º 31' N, 69º 11' E

Relative Location Afghanistan is landlocked, and situated in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia. It's bordered by the countries of China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Land Statistics

Coastline 0 (landlocked)

Land Areas

(land) 250,001 sq miles (647,500 sq km)

(water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km)

(TOTAL) 250,001 sq miles (647,500 sq km)

Land Area (all countries) here

Landforms About the size of the U.S. State of Texas, most of Afghanistan is a rugged, inhospitable mountainous landscape.

More than 50% of the total land area lies above 6,500 ft. (2,000 m). It all culminates in the high peaks of the Hindu Kush, where extensions of the Pamir Mountains, Karakorum Mountains and the Himalayas all come together.

In the north a fertile plain fronts the Anu Dar'ya River. In the south, below the mountains, rolling desert and scattered salt flats cover the land.

Afghanistan is drained by numerous rivers; significant ones include the Amu Dar'ya, Hari, Helmand, and the Kabul - directly east of the capital city, flowing down into the Indus River in Pakistan.

Highest Point Mt. Nowshak - 24,446 ft. (7,485 m)

Lowest Point Amu Darya - 846 ft. (258 m)

Land Divisions 34 provinces, including: Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol.

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