19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
18 April 1980 (from UK)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
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
English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects
Exports
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - NA (2008 est.), 30,000 (2007), 162.07 (2006), 77.965 (2005), 5.729 (2004) note: these are official exchange rates; non-official rates vary significantly
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
10.000%
3.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
4
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
Area
652,230 km sq
390,757 km sq
Coastline
0 km
0 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
