19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 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
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 $
$89,600,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
1
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
