Afghanistan
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Name: The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Introduction: Arabs introduced Islam in Afghanistan when they conquered it in seventh century AD. In 1747 Afghan Chief Ahmed Shah Durrani united Afghanistan. In nineteenth century both Russian and Britain competed for its control but it came under British control from 1880 to 1919. It was a Monarchy till 1973, when a revolution led to the Republic. In 1978 a pro Russia Government was formed and in 1979 Russian troops invaded Afghanistan to support the government. This led to a Guerilla war in the 1980's. This civil war resulted in Afghanistan falling into the hands of the Pakistan backed Taliban in 1996. After the terrorist attack of Septemper 11, 2001 US allies and Northern Alliance military fought and defeated Taliban. Bonn conference in 2001 began the political reconstruction of Afghanistan which included a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. On 7 December 2004, Hamid Karzai became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and The National Assembly was inaugurated in Afghanistan on 19 December 2005. Location: It is landlocked in the heart of Asia and designated within center and South Asia. HinduKush Mountains run northeast to southwest dividing the Northern provinces from the rest of the country. Borders: In South and East – Pakistan, in West – Iran, in North – Turkistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and in Northeast – China. Terrain: Most of the land is mountainous, Mountains, hills lie in North, and lofty peaks of HinduKush are in the centre and west. Among these hills are valleys where most Afghan live. In South there is a large lowland deserts. Annual rainfall in HinduKush is 15 inches and less that in the rest of the country. Climate: Arid to semi arid, cold winters and hot summers. Ethnic Group: About 50% of the people are Pushtins and 30% are Tadzhiks, other 20% are Hazara, Uzbek, Aimak, Turkmen and Baloch. Religion: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19% and other 1% Area: 647,500 sq km Capital: Kabul Currency: Afghani (Af) (AFN) Life Expectancy: 43.77 years (2007 est) Population: 31,889,923 (July 2007 est) Language: Major and official languages are Persian (Dari) 50%, Pashtu 35% and there are nearly 30 other languages in use. Literacy: Total – 36%, male – 51% and female – 21 %(1999 est) Internet TLD: .af Calling Code: +93 Nationality: Afghan Independence: 19 August 1919, from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs. Government: Islamic republic Constitution: New constitution of Afghanistan was drafted on 14 December 2003-4 January 2004 and was signed on 16 January 2004. Executive Branch: President is the head of the State and the head of the government. Cabinet consists of 25 ministers appointed by the president and approved b the national Assembly. Legislative Branch: The bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People with 249 seats, directly elected for five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders with 102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms. Judiciary Branch: The constitution has established a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court with nine justices appointed for 10-year terms by the president and approved by the Wolesi Jirga. Subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts also have a minister of justice, a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission is established by the Bonn Agreement and is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes. Military Branch: Afghan National Army includes Afghan Air Force (2006) Legal System: New constitution states that no law should be “contrary to Islam” and the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, protection of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and tribes. It also points out that state shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties, and international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal National Flag: It was adopted on Jan 4 of 2004 and contains three equal stripes of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band. The emblem has a mosque encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above. National Anthem: Surud-i Milli (Tarana) National Holiday: Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Coat of Arm: It contains Arabic inscription on the top of the Shahada and below it is an image of a mosque with a mehrab facing Mecca with a prayer mat inside. Two Flags are attached to the mosque which stands for the flags of Afghanistan. Around the mosque is garland and beneath it is the name of the nature. Economy: Various wars have weakened the country economically. After the Taliban regime country is now on the road of recovery but still it is a poor country. Criminality, insecurity, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention to significantly raise Afghanistan's living standards from its current level, among the lowest in the world. Opium trade generates roughly $3 billion in illicit economic activity and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy concerns. Natural gas is the main mineral which is exploited and 90% of it is sold to Russia. There is a shortage of housing, clean water, electricity and medical care. Other long-term challenges are corruption and rebuilding war torn infrastructure. GDP Total: $31.9 billion (2006 est) GDP Per capita: $800 (2004 est.) GDP Growth Rate: 8.4% (2006 est.) Agriculture: Opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins and wool. Industries: Small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper. Export: Opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems. Import: Capital goods, food, textiles and petroleum products. |