Afghanistan (in Persian, Afghánistán), republic in south-western Asia, bordered on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan; on the east by China, Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan; on the south by Pakistan; and on the west by Iran. Afghanistan is roughly ovoid in shape and has a maximum length, from north-east to south-west, of about 1,450 km (900 mi) and a width of about 725 km (450 mi). It has an area of 652,225 sq km (251,825 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Kabul
The population of Afghanistan, predominantly rural, can be divided into four main ethnic groups. The Pashtuns, or true Afghans, make up about 50 per cent of the total population and are divided into two sub-groups, the Durani and Ghilzais. The Tajiks, of Iranian stock, make up about 25 per cent, and most of the remainder consists of Uzbeks (9 per cent) and Hazaras (9 per cent).
For administrative purposes, Afghanistan is divided into 31 provinces: Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghaznī, Ghor, Helmand, Herāt, Jouzjan, Kabul, Kandahār, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nuristan, Paktika, Parwan, Patya, Qondūz, Samangan, Sar-i-Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, and Zabul
POPULATION
The population of Afghanistan, predominantly rural, can be divided into four main ethnic groups. The Pashtuns, or true Afghans, make up about 50 per cent of the total population and are divided into two sub-groups, the Durani and Ghilzais. The Tajiks, of Iranian stock, make up about 25 per cent, and most of the remainder consists of Uzbeks (9 per cent) and Hazaras (9 per cent).
LANGUAGE
The official languages of Afghanistan are Southern Pashto, an Indo-Iranian Language, and Eastern Farsi, a Persian language. Pashto is written in Perso-Arabic script, and Farsi in Arabic script. Over 40 other languages are used in Afghanistan, mostly Indo-Iranian languages such as Hazaragi, Aimaq, Pashayi, and Western Balochi. A few Turkic languages from the Altaic family are also spoken, namely Southern Uzbek and Turkmen. Tajiki Spoken Arabic, a Semitic language, is a mother tongue for a minority, as is Brahui, a Dravidian language. Non-indigenous languages including Parsi-Dari and Western Punjabi are also heard.
RELIGION
The population of Afghanistan, predominantly rural, can be divided into four main ethnic groups. The Pashtuns, or true Afghans, make up about 50 per cent of the total population and are divided into two sub-groups, the Durani and Ghilzais. The Tajiks, of Iranian stock, make up about 25 per cent, and most of the remainder consists of Uzbeks (9 per cent) and Hazaras (9 per cent).
For administrative purposes, Afghanistan is divided into 31 provinces: Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghaznī, Ghor, Helmand, Herāt, Jouzjan, Kabul, Kandahār, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nuristan, Paktika, Parwan, Patya, Qondūz, Samangan, Sar-i-Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, and Zabul
POPULATION
The population of Afghanistan, predominantly rural, can be divided into four main ethnic groups. The Pashtuns, or true Afghans, make up about 50 per cent of the total population and are divided into two sub-groups, the Durani and Ghilzais. The Tajiks, of Iranian stock, make up about 25 per cent, and most of the remainder consists of Uzbeks (9 per cent) and Hazaras (9 per cent).
LANGUAGE
The official languages of Afghanistan are Southern Pashto, an Indo-Iranian Language, and Eastern Farsi, a Persian language. Pashto is written in Perso-Arabic script, and Farsi in Arabic script. Over 40 other languages are used in Afghanistan, mostly Indo-Iranian languages such as Hazaragi, Aimaq, Pashayi, and Western Balochi. A few Turkic languages from the Altaic family are also spoken, namely Southern Uzbek and Turkmen. Tajiki Spoken Arabic, a Semitic language, is a mother tongue for a minority, as is Brahui, a Dravidian language. Non-indigenous languages including Parsi-Dari and Western Punjabi are also heard.
RELIGION
More than 99 per cent of the people of Afghanistan are Muslims, mainly of the Sunni sect. Most of the remainder, notably the Hazara, belong to the Shiite sect. Small colonies of Jews, Hindus, and Parsis are scattered in the towns. Mazār-e Sharīf is the leading place of pilgrimage.
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