40 Interesting Facts about Afghanistan

Afghanistan, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked multi-ethnic country located in the heart of south-central Asia. The country lies along significant trade routes linking southern and eastern Asia to Europe and the Middle East.

It has long been considered a prize pursued by empire builders, and for millennia great armies have tried to conquer it! We’ve prepared 39 interesting facts about Afghanistan that’ll probably give you a better insight into this war-torn country…

History facts

1. Inhabited by humans

It’s estimated that Afghanistan was first inhabited by humans at least 50,000 years ago.

2. Faith

In 642 CE in Herat and Zarang, Arab Muslims spread the religion of Islam in Afghanistan.

3. Before Islam

Before the introduction of Islam, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism were the dominant religions of Afghanistan.

The National Flag of Afghanistan

4. The father of the nation

Ahmad Shah Durrani was the founder of the last Afghan empire, crowned in 1747. He united the country into one kingdom.

5. Successor

His son, Timur Shah succeeded him, after his death in 1772.

6. A new capital city

In 1776, Timur Shah relocated the capital of Afghanistan from Kandahar to Kabul.

7. Independence

On the 19^th of August, 1919, Afghanistan became an independent country (from Britain), which is celebrated as a national holiday.

8. Civil war

The Afghanistan 1992 to 1996 civil war left at least 50,000 victims.

9. The Taliban

For nearly 5 years, the Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement in Afghanistan ruled the country between 1996 and 2001.

10. The first democratically elected president

Elected in 2004, the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan was Hamid Karzai.

11. 9/11

After the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States in 2001 that was supposedly carried out by the Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda forces, a U.S and U.K coalition launched a military attack on the major cities of Afghanistan including Kabul, against the Taliban regime.

Map of Afghanistan

12. Whats in a name?

The name Afghanistan means quite literally, “the land of Afghans”.

Geography facts

13. Coordinates

Follow the coordinates 34.5333° N, 69.1333° if you want to explore the amazing cultural and historical sites that Afghanistan has to offer. The terrain is mostly dominated by rugged mountains, whilst the north and southwest of the country also feature flat plains.

14. Neighbours

Afghanistan is a landlocked country bordered by Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, India, and China.

15. Population

Afghanistan’s population was 37.17 million in 2018, as a comparison that’s about half the UK population! Afghanistan is the 37^th most densely inhabited country in the world. Afghanistan is inhabited by – 80% Sunni Muslims, 19% Shia Muslim and 1% others.

Pamir Mountains, Afghanistan

16. Land area and location

The total land area of Afghanistan is 251,773 square miles (652,090 square kilometres), twice the size of the UK. Afghanistan’s location on the Silk Road route gave the country many economic and cultural advantages.

17. Capital city

Kabul is the largest city as well as the capital of Afghanistan. It stretches on an area of 106 square miles (275 square kilometres) and had a population of 4,114 in 2019.

18. People and currency

The residents of Afghanistan are known as Afghans and their currency is Afghanis. Often people get puzzled with the terms!

19. The highest point

Noshaq is the highest point in Afghanistan with a high of 7,492 meters or 24,580 ft.

20. The longest river

The longest river in Afghanistan is Helmand.

21. Climate

Afghans experience an arid to semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Cultural facts

22. Official languages

Afghanistan has two official languages – Pashto and Dari. Around 35% of the population speak Pashto while 50% speak Dari. In fact, thirty other minor languages are also spoken in Afghanistan.

23. Closed on Friday

Most of the shops and businesses here are closed on every Friday, the Islamic holy day.

24. Islamic laws

The legal, political, economic, and personal lives of the Afghans are ruled by Islamic laws.

25. Ramadan

Fasting and praying during the month of Ramadan is a mandatory act except for those who are sick, traveling, or having some other issues.

26. Family

Family is an important feature of Afghanistan’s culture. Men are responsible to earn and provide for the family, while women are expected to stay home and serve the family. In modern Afghanistan, some women work for a living!

27. A handshake is the most usual form of greeting

Interestingly, in Afghanistan’s culture, besides handshakes, some people place their hand on their heart and nod slightly to show respect and approval to the other party.

28. Food

Meals are generally served on the floor, on clothes made from various materials. It’s generally shared from the same dish unless required otherwise.

29. Marriage is important

In Afghanistan divorce is rare and is not well accepted in society.

30. Polygamy is permissible but rare

Also, many of the marriages are consummated between cousins.

Social intricacies

31. Life expectancy

The average life expectancy in Afghanistan is 52.1 years (2018).

32. New Year’s celebration

Unlike many countries around the world, Afghanistan celebrates the New Year on the 21^st of March, which is the first day of spring.

33. National game

Afghanistan’s national game is “Buzkashi”. Players in two teams try to catch the rogue goat while riding a horse. This is a tough game and it’s been played for centuries.

34. Mobile phone coverage

Mobile signal is available in more than 90% of the country and mobile phones are in fact considered a status symbol.

35. Bodybuilding centres

In Afghanistan, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the poster boy in many of the bodybuilding centres.

36. The world’s largest Buda

Until it was destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, Afghanistan boasted one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at an amazing 180ft tall and 1,500 years old!

37. The world’s first oil paintings

A truly fascinating fact! These oil paintings were drawn in the caves of “Bamiyan” around 650BC.

Industry facts

38. Cannabis and opium cultivation

Afghanistan was once the largest producer of cannabis in the world.  In 2013, Afghanistan saw an increase of 300% in Opium cultivation compared to the previous seven years before the U.S. invasion.

39. Export

Afghanistan exports opium, fruits, nuts, hand-woven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems.

40. Import

Afghanistan imports machinery and other principal goods, food, textiles, and petroleum products.

Do you know any interesting facts about Afghanistan? Share them here in the comments below!

If you want to learn more, check out these interesting facts about Iraq

Like our content? Like us on Facebook and never miss out!