19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Religions
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages
Portuguese (official)
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
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
External Debt
$1,280,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Area
964 km sq
652,230 km sq
Coastline
209 km
0 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
