19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
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
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 $
$644,500,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
10
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Area
652,230 km sq
323,802 km sq
Coastline
0 km
25,148 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
