World Atlas Afghanistan Asia locator map and information page

Country Details

Description: Located at 33° 00N, 65° 00E, and about the size of the U.S. State of Texas, Afghanistan is a landlocked, mountainous country, with some peaks in the Hindu Kush exceeding 21,000 ft. The southern areas are mostly rolling hills and desert.

The country has a turbulent past, invaded and conquered (over the centuries) by the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Tartars and British. The 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. Human rights for women are nonexistent, and brutality and fear is commonplace.

Since their capture of the capital city, the Taliban have emerged as the new rulers of this war-ravaged nation, and even though Kabul is the administrative capital, most of the religious leaders are found in and around Kandahar.

Mujaheddin groups (holy warriors) still cling to power in the northern regions, and they constantly fight with the Taliban forces. The country's future now is very uncertain, especially with America's new war on terrorists, and its active battle with followers of Usama (Osama) Bin Laden

Quick Facts and Figures

Official Name Islamic State of Afghanistan

Capital City Kăbul

Languages Pashtu, Afghan Persian, local dialects

Official Currency Afghani

Religions Sunni Muslim (84%), Shi'a Muslim

Flag and description here

Population 26,090,000

Bordering Countries here

Land Area 652,090 sq km (251,770 sq miles)

Highest Point Sad Istragh (7038 meters)

Time and Date in Kabul

Maps

Asian Continent Map here

Afghanistan Map, CIA version here

Afghanistan Bordering Countries, here

Middle East Map here

Middle East Outline Map here

Questions and Answers

Country name definition here!

The meaning of "stan" here!

CIA detailed Afghanistan information here!