republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
27 October 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%
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
Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
