19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
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
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 $
$15,670,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.5895 (2008 est.), 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
0.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Area
652,230 km sq
108,889 km sq
Coastline
0 km
400 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
