19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Religions
Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
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
oil and refined products, fertilizers
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
External Debt
$28,210,000,000 $
$1,280,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.2679 (2008 est.), 0.2844 (2007), 0.29 (2006), 0.292 (2005), 0.2947 (2004)
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.700%
10.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Area
17,818 km sq
652,230 km sq
Coastline
499 km
0 km
Climate
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
