2. Afghanistan

4.  The flag of Afghanistan is composed of three equal vertical bars of black, red, and green, with the white coat of arms of Afghanistan in the center; this flag is known as the "King's flag." Each bar is twice as long as it is wide. The coat of arms depicts part of a mosque, sheaves of wheat, two banners, the date 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year Afghanistan gained independence from the UK), and an Arabic inscription that reads, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his messenger."  The black, red, and green flag was flown in Afghanistan from 1930 until 1973. It was again flown over the presidential palace in Kabul on February 5, 2002, in a ceremony led by interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai. This flag replaced. the flag of the overthrown Taliban

5. Afghanistan covers about 652,230 square kilometers (slightly smaller than the state of Texas). Afghanistan is the 41 st largest country in the world

6.  The people of Afghanistan are called Afghans  Afghanistan has the 41 st largest population of any country in the world.  The population of Afghanistan is about 29,121,286 (as of July, 2010).

7.  Afghanistan is a republic that is divided into 34 provinces.  The National Holiday is Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 19  (As Afghanistan became independent from the UK on August 19, 1919).

8. Official Religion Islam (99% of the people of Afghanistan are Muslim;  80% Sunni Muslim  19% Shia Muslim

9. The official languages are Afghan Persian (also called Dari or Farsi) and Pashto.

10.  Afghanistan's climate ranges from arid (dry) to semi-arid. Winters are very cold and summers are very hot.

11. Natural gas, Petroleum, Coal, Copper, Chromite, Talc, Barites, Sulfur, Lead, Zinc, Iron ore, Salt, Precious and Semi-precious stones.

12. Small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food- products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; hand woven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper.

13. Afghan cuisine is largely based upon the nation's chief crops, such as wheat, maize, barley and rice. Accompanying these staples are native fruits and vegetables (including nuts) as well as dairy products such as milk, yogurt and whey.

14. MEN GREETING MEN AND GREETING BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN WOMEN GREETING WOMEN  Men greeting Men - Men usually shake hands when greeting one another during an initial meeting as well as in formal situations. Hugging and backslapping are common greetings among friends and family members. Some may exchange kisses on the cheek.  Greetings between Men and Women - If a woman wishes to shake hands with a man, she should extend her hand first. It is common for men and woman to exchange verbal greetings when first meeting in social situations. It generally not acceptable for women to touch men in public.  Women generally kiss each other, starting with the left cheek and then switching to the right cheek. Some will kiss one cheek, but most kiss two or four or even up 8 times (alternating cheeks). A handshake is common for initial meetings.

15. THANK YOU. Prepared by: S. Thushanthika, N.Kishanthika, S.Dharmika, R.Thadshajini, S.Yuwetha, K.Kajenthini & J.Apiramy.