Economy Overview
- GDP: Approximately $20 billion USD (2023 estimate).
- GDP Per Capita: Roughly $500-$600 USD.
Major Goods Produced
- Agricultural Products: Fruits (pomegranates, grapes), nuts (walnuts, almonds), wheat, opium, cotton.
- Livestock: Sheep, goats, and cattle.
- Minerals: Precious stones (lapis lazuli), coal, copper.
Climate
- Type: Arid and semi-arid.
- Temperature: Hot summers and cold winters.
Geography
- Location: Landlocked country in South-Central Asia.
- Terrain: Predominantly mountainous (Hindu Kush range).
Weather
- Seasons: Distinct seasons with hot summers (up to 40°C) and cold winters (down to -10°C in some areas).
Religion
- Dominant Religion: Islam (approximately 99% of the population), primarily Sunni Muslims, with a minority of Shia Muslims.
Major Ethnic Groups
- Pashtun: Largest ethnic group.
- Tajik: Second largest.
- Hazara, Uzbek, and several others.
Parliamentary System
- Type: Initially a presidential republic, now under Taliban rule with a modified governance structure based on Sharia law.
Major Sports
- Cricket: Most popular sport.
- Football (Soccer).
- Buzkashi: Traditional game played on horseback.
Main Imported Goods
- Machinery, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles, medicines.
Main Exported Goods
- Fruits, nuts, textiles, precious stones, opium (illegal).
Major Trading Partners
- Pakistan, China, India, Iran, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Major Enemies
- Historically, the Taliban and ISIS have been significant threats, along with various insurgent groups.
Major Friendly Nations
- Pakistan, China, Qatar, and historically, some Middle Eastern countries.
Major Leaders
- Taliban leadership (currently): Hibatullah Akhundzada (Supreme Leader).
- Previous leaders included Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai.
Major Highways
- Ring Road: Connects major cities like Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.
- Salang Pass Road: Key north-south route through the Hindu Kush mountains.
Major Airports
- Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul).
- Kandahar International Airport.
- Herat International Airport.
Major Stadiums
- Afghan Football Federation Stadium (Kabul).
- Kandahar Stadium: Used for various sports.
Major Projects
- Bamiyan Cultural Landscape: UNESCO site preservation.
- Trans-Afghan Pipeline: Planned gas pipeline project.
Major Universities
- Kabul University: The oldest and largest.
- Herat University.
- Kandahar University.
Major Political Parties
- Taliban: Currently in power.
- Islamic Society of Afghanistan: Historical political party.
- Various factions exist but have diminished under Taliban rule.
Detailed Past History
- Ancient History: Part of the Silk Road; influenced by Persian, Greek, and later Islamic empires.
- Modern History: Experience of wars, including the Soviet invasion (1979-1989), civil war, and U.S. invasion post-9/11.
- Recent Events: Taliban regained control in 2021, leading to significant political and social changes.
Main Transport System
- Road Transport: Predominantly reliant on roads due to limited rail infrastructure. Major roads connect cities and rural areas, often poorly maintained.
- Air Transport: Limited commercial flights mainly through a few international airports.