AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Geography Located in Central Asia Bordered by six countries: ● ● China ● ● Iran ● ● Pakistan ● ● Tajikistan ● ● Turkmenistan ● ● Uzbekistan

Afghanistan: Geography Landlocked nation (slightly smaller than Texas) Total Population: 31 million Capital: Kabul

Afghanistan: Geography ➢ ➢ Rugged mountains ➢ ➢ Hindu Kush: main mountain range across Afghanistan and into Pakistan ➢ ➢ Climate: cold winters and hot, dry summers

Afghans: A Diverse People Major Ethnic Groups: Major Ethnic Groups: Pashtuns 42% Pashtuns 42% Takiks 27% Takiks 27% Uzbeks 9% Uzbeks 9% Hazaras 9% Hazaras 9% Others 13% Others 13%

Afghans: A Diverse People

Languages Many Afghans are bilingual Many Afghans are bilingual The main languages spoken by Afghans are: The main languages spoken by Afghans are: Dari (official language) 50% Pashtu (official language) 35% Turkic languages 11%

Religion I slam is the religion practiced by most Afghans; it is central to Afghans' identity I slam is the religion practiced by most Afghans; it is central to Afghans' identity 99% of Afghans are Muslim 99% of Afghans are Muslim

Rural Life Most Afghans live in rural areas Most Afghans live in rural areas About ¾ of the population consists of farmers and nomads About ¾ of the population consists of farmers and nomads Only 12% of the land, however, is arable Only 12% of the land, however, is arable What problems might this lead to? What problems might this lead to?

Sport/Pastime Bazkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a team game played on horseback Bazkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a team game played on horseback Kite-fighting is also a popular pastime among Afghan youth where participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents' kites Kite-fighting is also a popular pastime among Afghan youth where participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents' kites

Afghan History Afghanistan's location along the Silk/Spice Road has allowed the country to serve as an important link between east and west throughout history Afghanistan's location along the Silk/Spice Road has allowed the country to serve as an important link between east and west throughout history

Afghan History This location, however, has meant significant intervention from outsiders Great Britain & Russia fought over Afghanistan as far back as the 18 th & 19 th centuries Great Britain & Russia fought over Afghanistan as far back as the 18 th & 19 th centuries Soviet Union invaded in 1979 and installed a Communist government Soviet Union invaded in 1979 and installed a Communist government From , Afghanistan became a battleground of the Cold War between the US- USSR (with the U.S. supporting Afghans who resisted the Soviets) From , Afghanistan became a battleground of the Cold War between the US- USSR (with the U.S. supporting Afghans who resisted the Soviets)

Afghan History Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, but civil war erupted among factions of guerilla fighters known as 'mujahedin' Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, but civil war erupted among factions of guerilla fighters known as 'mujahedin' Civil war continued until 1996, when hard-line group known as the Taliban seized power Civil war continued until 1996, when hard-line group known as the Taliban seized power Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Islam Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Islam

Taliban ➢ Limited women's ability to work in public places ➢ Banned girls from attending school ➢ Required women to wear burqas in public (photos) ➢ Required men to wear beards ➢ Banned music, sports ➢ Allowed al-Qaeda & Osama bin Laden to operate within the country

Refugee Crisis During the 23 years of conflict, roughly 4 million Afghans became refugees During the 23 years of conflict, roughly 4 million Afghans became refugees Most refugees fled to two main countries: Most refugees fled to two main countries: ➢ Iran ➢ Pakistan There are also an estimated 200,000 Afghans living overseas There are also an estimated 200,000 Afghans living overseas

Afghanistan Today Afghanistan now faces a number of challenges as it tries to rebuild after years of war. Some of these challenges include: Afghanistan now faces a number of challenges as it tries to rebuild after years of war. Some of these challenges include:PovertyEducationHealth Gender equity Governance

Poverty At least 2/3 of Afghans live on less than $2 a day At least 2/3 of Afghans live on less than $2 a day Only 23% of Afghans have access to safe water Only 23% of Afghans have access to safe water Only 12% of Afghans have access to sanitation Only 12% of Afghans have access to sanitation Only 6% of Afghans have access to electricity Only 6% of Afghans have access to electricity

Education 67% of boys go to school, while only 37% of girls do (US Dept of State) 67% of boys go to school, while only 37% of girls do (US Dept of State) Constraints to school attendance: Constraints to school attendance: Lack of teachers Lack of teachers Distance between home and school Distance between home and school Cultural constraints for girls Cultural constraints for girls Not enough school buildings (esp. for girls) Not enough school buildings (esp. for girls)

Health Average life expectancy for Afghans is 42, more than 25 years younger than the average American (World Health Organization) Average life expectancy for Afghans is 42, more than 25 years younger than the average American (World Health Organization) One in four children dies before the age of 5 (USAID) One in four children dies before the age of 5 (USAID) Many Afghans lack access to basic medical care Many Afghans lack access to basic medical care

Gender Equity Women have been a marginalized group in Afghanistan Women have been a marginalized group in Afghanistan Cultural restrictions lead to difficulty accessing education and health services Cultural restrictions lead to difficulty accessing education and health services Only 10% of Afghan women can read and write Only 10% of Afghan women can read and write Yet, Afghan women are important contributors to household income, especially in rural areas Yet, Afghan women are important contributors to household income, especially in rural areas

Government In October 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan. In October 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan. Parliamentray elections were held in Parliamentray elections were held in Local warlords, however, still hold power in many parts of the country. This contributes to the insecurity in Afghanistan. Local warlords, however, still hold power in many parts of the country. This contributes to the insecurity in Afghanistan.

Despite these challenges, Afghans remain hopeful about the future

THE END What have you learned about Afghanistan? What have you learned about Afghanistan?