19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
15 August 1971 (from UK)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 $
$14,930,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
4.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
1
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Area
652,230 km sq
760 km sq
Coastline
0 km
161 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
