Background
Afghanistan is an ancient and historical country located in the heart of Asia, with a civilizational and cultural background spanning thousands of years. It is called the “Heart of Asia” due to its geographical location and has been a crossroads of strategic routes, civilizations, and trade caravans throughout history.
Geography and Location: Afghanistan covers an area of 652,864 square kilometers, and is strategically located between Central and South Asia. It shares borders with six countries:
- From Pakistan in the south and east,
- From Iran in the West,
- In the north, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan,
- With China in the east.
Its capital is Kabul, and other major cities are Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Nangarhar. The country’s geography is very mountainous, with the Hindu Kush mountain range at its center.
Population and Languages : Afghanistan has a population of about 40 million. Its official languages are Pashto and Dari, other national languages are Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, and Pashto (if all languages are mentioned).
Afghans are known for their hospitality, respect, and adherence to Islamic values. More than 99 percent of the country’s population is Muslim.
Historical Background: Afghanistan is considered one of the world’s ancient civilizations.
- This land has been the cradle of Greek, Buddhist, Kushan, Zoroastrian, and Islamic civilizations.
- For years, it was an important part of the Silk Road, connecting trade between the East and the West.
- The foundation of modern Afghanistan was laid in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Abdali (Ahmad Shah Baba).
- Afghanistan has had great empires throughout its history, such as the Ghaznavid, Ghori, Suri, Abdali, and was also part of the Seljuk and Khwarizmi dynasties. This country was a geography worthy of attention of great empires due to its strategic location, and it is also known as the graveyard of great empires due to the defeat and destruction of three empires as a result of the sacrifices of the Mujahid people of this country.
Scientific and Cultural Heritage: Afghanistan has a rich scientific, literary and cultural heritage:
Science and Literature : A number of the world’s great scholars, poets, and writers, such as Imam Qutayba bin Muslim al-Baghlani, Imam Ibn Hibban Basti, Maulana Hakim Sanayi, Ibn Sina Balkhi, Abu Raihan al-Biruni, Abul-Nasr al-Farabi, Khwaja Abdullah Ansar, Maulana Abdul Rahman Jami, Sayyid Jamal al-Din Afghan, Maulana Jalal al-Din Balkhi Rumi, Allama Abdul Hai Habibi, Ustad Gul Pacha Ulfat, Ustad Qiyam al-Din Khadim, Ustad Abdul Rauf Benawa, and Ustad Siddiqullah Rishtin, are associated with this land.
Art and Architecture: The Timurid art of Herat, the architecture of the Ghaznavid era, and the remains of Buddhist sculptures are important symbols of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.
Traditions: Traditional games, traditional handicrafts, and various types of Afghan food reflect the beauty of the country’s culture.
Economy and Natural Resources : Afghanistan’s economic base is largely agriculture and livestock. Its production of wheat, rice, fruits, and dried fruits is particularly renowned in the region.
Afghanistan is a country rich in natural resources, including large deposits of lithium, copper, iron, gold, oil, and gas. It is considered a country with great future economic potential due to its possession of some of the world’s largest natural resources.
International Position : Afghanistan is a member of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and many other regional and international organizations. Due to its strategic geographical location, it is considered an important crossroads connecting Central, South, and West Asia.
