14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Religions
Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages
Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language
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
Exports
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
External Debt
$102,300,000,000 $
$1,280,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004)
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
7.300%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
1
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Area
20,770 km sq
652,230 km sq
Coastline
273 km
0 km
Climate
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
