Afghanistan Pakistan

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Afghanistan: Natural Geography: Area of 652,300 square kilometers. Located at the intersection of West Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia, it controls the crucial north-south transportation route and holds significant geographical importance. To the north, it borders Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The narrow northeastern strip touches China, while the east and southeast share a border with Pakistan. To the west, it meets Iran. The country is predominantly mountainous, with plateaus and mountains covering 4/5 of the territory. The northern and southwestern regions are mostly plains, and the southwest features deserts. The average elevation is 1,000 meters. The country's largest mountain range, the Hindu Kush, runs diagonally from northeast to southwest. Major rivers include the Amu Darya, Helmand River, Kabul River, and Hari Rud River. The continental climate makes the country dry with little rainfall, and both annual and daily temperature differences are significant. The seasons are distinct, with harsh winters and scorching summers. Population: 27,750,000 (July 2002), with the Pashtun ethnic group accounting for 41%, the Tajik ethnic group for 25%. There are also more than 20 other ethnic minorities, such as Uzbeks, Hazaras, Turkmen, Balochis, and Nuristanis. The official languages are Pashto and Dari (Persian), while other regional languages include Uzbek, Balochi, and Turkish. Over 98% of the population adheres to Islam, with 90% being Sunni and the rest Shia.