[280] Afghan rugs are becoming popular again, allowing many carpet dealers around the country to hire more workers; in 2016–17 it was the fourth most exported group of items. Faced with the overwhelming armed opposition, Amanullah Khan abdicated in January 1929, and soon after Kabul fell to Saqqawist forces led by Habibullah Kalakani. [285] It is also one of the world's top producers of cannabis. Other notable poets include Rabi'a Balkhi, Jami, Rahman Baba, Khalilullah Khalili, and Parween Pazhwak. More recent findings established that the Indus Valley Civilisation stretched up towards modern-day Afghanistan, making the ancient civilization today part of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. The Afghanistan national football team has been competing in international football since 1941. [415] Later that year, the country's cricket team followed as it won the 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup. It shares borders with Pakistan in the south and east (including Indian-claimed Gilgit-Baltistan); Iran in the west; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in the north; and China in the far east.[175]. Urbanization has increased rapidly, particularly in the capital Kabul, due to returning refugees from Pakistan and Iran after 2001, internally displaced people, and rural migrants. [344][345] The country's maternal mortality rate is 396 deaths/100,000 live births and its infant mortality rate is 66[345] to 112.8 deaths in every 1,000 live births. [207] According to Pew Research Center, as much as 90% are of the Sunni denomination, 7% Shia and 3% non-denominational. Kabul is the capital and largest city. There are over 16,000 schools in the country and roughly 9 million students. Journalists in Afghanistan face threat from both the security forces and insurgents. [90] Displeased with Amin's government, the Soviet Army invaded the country in December 1979, heading for Kabul and killing Amin just 3 days later. A rail line between Khaf, Iran and Herat, western Afghanistan, intended for both freight and passengers, is under construction as of 2019. [149][150] Meanwhile, Karzai attempted to unite the peoples of the country,[151] and the Afghan government was able to build some democratic structures, adopting a constitution in 2004 with the name Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It was favored by former kings of Afghanistan and became known to much of the world in the 21st century when it was constantly worn by President Hamid Karzai. [206] The CIA Factbook variously estimates up to 89.7% Sunni or up to 15% Shia. In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani established the Durrani Empire with its capital at Kandahar. A popular theme in Afghan folklore and mythology are devs, monstrous creatures. They were followed by the Kidarites who, in turn, were replaced by the Hephthalites. The attacks are the latest in relentless violence in Afghanistan. [246] Its main purpose is to train the Afghan National Security Forces. He was known as the Iron Amir for his features and his ruthless methods against tribes. [268], Afghanistan's nominal GDP was $21.7 billion in 2018, or $72.9 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP). [369] The Mazari hat originates from northern Afghanistan.[370]. Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). The Hindu Kush ends at the west-central highlands, creating plains in the north and southwest, namely the Turkestan Plains and the Sistan Basin; these two regions consist of rolling grasslands and semi-deserts, and hot windy deserts, respectively. Most of the highest points are in the east consisting of fertile mountain valleys. The country has four international airports: Hamid Karzai International Airport (formerly Kabul International Airport), Kandahar International Airport, Herat International Airport, and Mazar-e Sharif International Airport. Each district is represented by a district governor. Men would typically work on the fields, joined by women during harvest. The Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground serves as the nation's main cricket stadium. [21][22] In the First Anglo-Afghan War, the British East India Company seized control of Afghanistan briefly, but following the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 the country was free of foreign influence, eventually becoming a monarchy under Amanullah Khan, until almost 50 years later when Zahir Shah was overthrown and a republic was established. The other large cities are located generally in the "ring" around the Central Highlands, namely Kandahar in the south, Herat in the west, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kunduz in the north, and Jalalabad in the east. Close relations with the Muslim states Turkey, the Kingdom of Iraq and Iran/Persia were also pursued, while further international relations were sought by joining the League of Nations in 1934. Afghans have long been accustomed to watching Indian Bollywood films and listening to its filmi songs. [205] Some Afghans retain some ability of Russian, which was taught to public schools during the 1980s. It has $2.8 billion in external debt. Afghanistan's economy is the world's 96th largest, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $72.9 billion by purchasing power parity; the country fares much worse in terms of per-capita GDP (PPP), ranking 169th out of 186 countries as of 2018. A regional investigation based on fertility inhibiting determinants", "The roots of Afghanistan's tribal tensions", "What will happen to Afghanistan's national languages? Under the rule of Shah Rukh the city served as the focal point of the Timurid Renaissance, whose glory matched Florence of the Italian Renaissance as the center of a cultural rebirth. Some of the reforms that were put in place, such as the abolition of the traditional burqa for women and the opening of several co-educational schools, quickly alienated many tribal and religious leaders, and this led to the Afghan Civil War (1928–1929). The majority of training of the ANA is undertaken in the Afghan National Security University. Muslims brought Islam to Sassanian-held Herat and Zaranj in the mid-7th century, while fuller Islamization was achieved between the 9th and 12th centuries under the Saffarid, Samanid, Ghaznavid, and Ghurid dynasties. The remaining Afghans are culturally Persian and Turkic. Carpet weaving is an ancient practice in Afghanistan, and many of these are still handmade by tribal and nomadic people today. Habibullah was assassinated during a hunting trip in 1919, and Amanullah Khan eventually assumed power. The nation is led by President Ashraf Ghani with Amrullah Saleh and Sarwar Danish as vice presidents. [139][140] By this time, after two decades of war as well as an acute famine at the time, Afghanistan had one of the highest infant and child mortality rates in the world, the lowest life expectancy, much of the population were hungry,[141][142][143] and infrastructure was in ruins. The colder high elevation regions are composed of hardy grasses and small flowering plants. Many Afghans are now involved in construction, which is one of the largest industries in the country. As of 2013, Afghanistan was the largest refugee-producing country in the world, a title held for 32 years. [64] Mirwais died of natural causes in 1715 and was succeeded by his brother Abdul Aziz, who was soon killed by Mirwais' son Mahmud for treason. [368] The pakol is another traditional hat originating from the far east of the country; it was popularly worn by the guerilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. 1500–1100 BCE),[17] which has been closely associated with the culture depicted in the Avesta, the ancient religious texts of Zoroastrianism. An Indus Valley site has been found on the Oxus River at Shortugai in northern Afghanistan. [191] Bicycles are popular throughout Afghanistan. [113] Several failed reconciliations and alliances occurred between different leaders. [20] After Timur's death in 1793, the Durrani throne passed down to his son Zaman Shah, followed by Mahmud Shah, Shuja Shah and others. There are a number of smaller regional languages, including Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, and Nuristani. [289], The country's natural resources include: coal, copper, iron ore, lithium, uranium, rare earth elements, chromite, gold, zinc, talc, barite, sulfur, lead, marble, precious and semi-precious stones, natural gas, and petroleum, among other things. [212] Afghan Christians, who number 500–8,000, practice their faith secretly due to intense societal opposition, and there are no public churches. [376] In some of the Turkic-populated areas in the north-west, bride and wedding ceremony prices are driven by the bride's weaving skills. These tribes later migrated further into South Asia, Western Asia, and toward Europe via the area north of the Caspian Sea. [300] Government officials estimate that 30% of the country's untapped mineral deposits are worth at least $1 trillion. Artifacts typical of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages have been found in Afghanistan. During this time female artists also started appearing, at first Mermon Parwin. [374] Some crafters express their feelings through the designs of rugs; for example after the outbreak of the Soviet-Afghan War, "war rugs" were created with designs representing pain and misery caused by the conflict. [188], Several types of mammals exist throughout Afghanistan. [84] During his ten years at the post until 1963, Daoud Khan pressed for social modernization reforms and sought a closer relationship with the Soviet Union. The country has three rail links: one, a 75-kilometer (47 mi) line from Mazar-i-Sharif to the Uzbekistan border;[329] a 10-kilometer (6.2 mi) long line from Toraghundi to the Turkmenistan border (where it continues as part of Turkmen Railways); and a short link from Aqina across the Turkmen border to Kerki, which is planned to be extended further across Afghanistan. 3:19. Coming from Iran, the trail traveled through various Afghan provinces and cities including Herat, Kandahar and Kabul before crossing to northern Pakistan, northern India, and Nepal. The country is further divided into nearly 400 provincial districts, each of which normally covers a city or several villages. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to develop diplomatic relations with other countries around the world. The Afghan Air Force (AAF; Pashto: دافغانستان هوائی ځواک ; Dari: قوای هوائی افغانستان ) is the aerial warfare branch of the Afghan Armed Forces.It is divided into four wings, with the 1st Wing at Kabul, the 2nd Wing at Kandahar, the 3rd Wing at Shindand, and the 4th Wing at Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. In October 1772, Durrani died of natural causes and was buried at a site now adjacent to the Shrine of the Cloak in Kandahar. It is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Group of 77, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the Non-Aligned Movement. [216] Carpets have been produced in the region for thousands of years and traditionally done by women. The 1930s saw the development of roads, infrastructure, the founding of a national bank, and increased education. There are also provincial councils that are elected through direct and general elections for four years. [47][48][49], By the 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni defeated the remaining Hindu rulers and effectively Islamized the wider region,[50] with the exception of Kafiristan. Archaeological exploration done in the 20th century suggests that the geographical area of Afghanistan has been closely connected by culture and trade with its neighbors to the east, west, and north. [235] Nearly a hundred new parties were registered after the law came into effect,[236] and party activity increased in the 2014 elections, but party influence remained limited.[237]. Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan to the east and south; Iran to the west; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north; and China to the northeast. [273] A number of local and foreign banks operate in the country, including the Afghanistan International Bank, New Kabul Bank, Azizi Bank, Pashtany Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and the First Micro Finance Bank. The traditional and the national sport of Afghanistan is buzkashi, mainly popular in the north, but also having a following in other parts of the country. In 1893, Mortimer Durand made Amir Abdur Rahman Khan sign a controversial agreement in which the ethnic Pashtun and Baloch territories were divided by the Durand Line. Our military … [322], The Ring Road is crucially important for domestic and international trade and the economy. Around 400,000 Afghans died in internal conflicts between 1990 and 2001. The National Military Academy of Afghanistan, modeled after the United States Military Academy at West Point, is a four-year military development institution dedicated to graduating officers for the Afghan Armed Forces. The Afghan national cricket team, which was formed in 2001, participated in the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier, 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division One and the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. As reported in 2010, the state needs more than US$2 billion to rehabilitate its irrigation systems so that the water is properly managed.[183]. Some of the famous artists of classical music include Ustad Sarahang and Sarban. [9] The Ministry of Public Health plans to cut the infant mortality rate to 400 for every 100,000 live births before 2020. [35], Excavations of prehistoric sites suggest that humans were living in what is now Afghanistan at least 50,000 years ago, and that farming communities in the area were among the earliest in the world. 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