Afghanistan
Location:
Central Asia, bordered by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and
Tajikistan on the North, China on the East, Pakistan on the East
and South, Iran on the West
Area: 250,000
square miles
Population:
16,400,000
Government:
Republic, in transition
Largest
cities: Kabul (capital), Kandahar, Herat
Languages:
Pashto (Iranian), Dari Persian, Uzbek (Turkic)
Ethnic groups:
Pashtoon 50%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 9%, Hazara 9%
Religion:
Muslim
Chief
industries: Carpets, textiles, cement
Chief crops:
Barley, corn, sugar, wheat, cotton, fruit, nuts
Minerals:
Natural gas, copper, lead, coal, zinc, iron
Leading
exports: Cotton, carpets, natural gas, fruits and nuts
Leading
imports: Petroleum products, machinery, food products
Monetary unit:
Afghani