The meaning of Afghanistan is Land of Afghans. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a landlocked country, is located at the center of Asia, more specifically within Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. It borders Pakistan in the south and east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the northeast. The capital is Kabul. Afghanistan’s Sistan Basin is one of the driest zones of the world. The Minaret of Jam, located in the River valley of Hari, is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage site. It is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
During Taliban rules, Afghanistan had faced many inhuman practices, which resulted into low literacy rate of the country.
HISTORY:- Darius I and Alexander the Great entered into India through Afghanistan. In the middle ages, Islam was introduced to the land. Islamic conquerors including Samanids (875–999), Ghaznavids (977–1187), Seljukids (1037–1194), Ghurids (1149–1212), and Timurids (1370–1506) ruled over the land. In 1504, Babur set up the Mughal dynasty, establishing his capital in Kabul. Later Afghanistan was ruled by Hotaki Empire and Durrani Empire. During the reign of Barakzai Empire, much of the land came under control of UK. In 1919 Afghanistan regained complete freedom. Emir Amanullah established an Afghan monarchy in 1926. King Zahir Shah ruled Afghanistan for the longest period. Mohammed Daoud Khan, Zahir Shah's brother-in-law became the first President. After Daoud was killed, Hafizullah Amin was crowned. Amin was killed in 1979 as a consequence of Soviet invasion. Soviet occupation was ended in 1989. Taliban ruled the region for 7 years, which was marked by great human rights abuses. After World trade centre attack on 11th September, 2001 US threatened Taliban Government to hand over Laden. The US Alliance Struck on major cities and Kabul, which resulted into Taliban downfall. In June 2002, Hamid Karzai became President.
GEOGRAPHY:- The landlocked country is situated at 33 00 N, 65 00 E in southern Asia, capturing total 647,500 sq km land area. Afghanistan is mainly rugged mountainous and desert with plains in north and southeast part. Hindu Kush Mountain stands in the northeast. The lowest point id Amu Darya (258 m) and the highest point is Nowshak (7,485 m).
CLIMATE:-Afghani climate is mostly dry arid to semiarid with cold winters and hot burning summers.
GOVERNMENT:- Afghanistan is Islamic presidential republic. The constitution was drafted on 14th December 2003 and adopted on 4th January, 2004. The three branches of the Government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government) and cabinet.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral National Assembly- House of the People (249 seats), House of the Elders (102 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Appeals Courts.
Afghanistan Peoples' Treaty Party, Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization, Afghanistan's Islamic Nation Party, Afghanistan's National Islamic Party, Afghanistan's Welfare Party, Afghan Social Democratic Party are the major political parties. Suffrage is universal above 18.
President Hamid Karzai
Vice President Ahmad Zia Massoud
Vice President Karim Khalili
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces.
CULTURE:- Afghanistan is a culturally mixed country, a fusion of the East and the West. Buzkashi is the national sport. Poetry competition ‘mushaera’ is very popular. Afghan hounds are originated in the country. Anvari, Jāmī of Herāt, Sanā'ī Ghaznawi, Farrukhi Sistani, Mawlānā Rumi, Nasir Khusraw are some of the renowned Afghan poets.
ECONOMY:- After Taliban fall, Afghani economy is trying to improve with international assistance, and advancement in agricultural sector, though it is still one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $35 billion; per capita $800.
Real growth rate: 7.5% (2007 est.).
Inflation: 16.3% (2005 est.).
Unemployment: 40% (2005 est.).
Arable land: 12.13%.
Agriculture: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins.
Labor force: 15 million; agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10%.
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones.
Industries: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; hand woven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper.
Exports: $274 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports (2006): opium, fruits and nuts, hand woven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semiprecious gems.
Imports: $3.823 billion (2006): capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products.
Budget:
Revenues: $715 million
Expenditures: $2.6 billion
Major trading partners: Pakistan, India, U.S., Germany (2006).
Monetary unit: Afghani
LANGUAGE:- Dari Persian, Pashtu are the official languages, but other Turkic and minor languages do exist.
CITIES:- The capital city Kabul is the Largest city. Other large cities are Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, Charikar, Heart, Jalalabad, Konduz.
POPULATION:-Afghani population is 32,738,376 at a growth rate of 2.6%. Afghanistan education is facing the problems like lack of funding, improper infrastructure, and lack of female teachers. Even today some parents do not allow the male teachers to teach their girl children.
Density per sq mi: 128
Literacy rate: 28.1% (2000 est.)
RACE:-
Pashtun 42%
Tajik 27%
Hazara 9%
Uzbek 9%
Aimak 4%
Turkmen 3%
Baloch 2%
Other 4%
RELIGION:-
Sunni Muslim 80%,
Shi'a Muslim 19%
Other 1%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 19.56 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 154.67 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.21 years
Total fertility rate: 6.58 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 26
UNICEF:- Afghani children under-five, and maternal mortality rates are the world’s highest. UNICEF in Afghanistan have immunized 5 million children against polio and reduced deficiency by establishing 5 new salt iodization plants. It campaigns for hygienic life style. Girl enrolment in schools has been increased. UNICEF has trained 30000 teachers. Landmine accidents are reduced by 10%. UNICEF brings back child soldiers in society, provides vocational training for 8000 children, and prepares 670 people with child trafficking prevention.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Highways: total: 34,782 km (2004).
Waterways: 1,200 km; (2007).
Ports and harbors: Kheyrabad, Shir Khan.
Airports: 46 (2007
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