19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
4 October 1966 (from UK)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
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
Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000)
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 $
$729,900,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.25 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
2.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
Area
652,230 km sq
30,355 km sq
Coastline
0 km
0 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
