Afghanistan

A landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia, Afghanistan is referred to as the Heart of Asia.

Bordered by Pakistan to the East and South, Iran to the West, Turkmenistan to the Northwest, Uzbekistan to the North, Tajikistan to the Northeast, and China to the Northeast and East.

Capital is Kabul.

Languages are Pashto and Dari.

Population, 38,346,720, Size, 652,867 km^2.

Currency, Afghani AFN.

Islam, Religion.

Major cities of Kandahar, Herat, Mazari-i-Sharif, and Kunduz.

National dish is Kabuli Pulao, Palaw, or Oshi Palav. Principal crops include wheat, maize, barley, and rice.

Afghans are known to be a hardy lot and non-interfering. Their uncomplicated lifestyle has worked both for, and against the people. Many of the traditional attires of the country are made out of light linen and are characterized by loose fittings.

Cold winters and dry summers. Mountain regions are subarctic with dry and cold winters. Summer average temperatures are between 97-109 F. Chance of rain is very limited.

Afghanistan has had more changes to its national flag than any other country. They have changed it 19 times.

Afghanistan is among the nine most dangerous countries in the world and is assessed as an “extreme travel security risk”.

Has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The world’s first oil paintings originated in Afghanistan from 7th Century AD. Home to the endangered snow leopard. World’s largest producer of Opium.