Afghan = The People, istan = The Land of
Afghanistan = The Land of Afghans
Afghanistan = The Land of Afghans
Afghanistan, a brief history
Afghanistan is a war torn country, it has a long history filled with war and political upheaval. The geographical location of the nation has meant that other countries have had their sights on the country for their own means and the diversity of the ethnic groups within the nation means that there has been internal conflict as well as external.
The area that we know today as Afghanistan was conquered by various leaders throughout it's long history. A few of these are Alexandra the Great and King Darius (Persian). Buddhism was introduced into the area early in the 2nd Century B.C and in the 7th Century B.C the Muslim takeover of the area occurred. Durrani was one of many Muslim dynasties and during his reign he conquered most of present day Afghanistan. The Durrani dynasty ended in 1818.
The time between 1818 and the 1900's was a time of change in Afghanistan. The First Afghan War began, it was between the British and Afghanistan. Britain and Russia were fighting for power in Central Asia and only after an alliance was signed with the British did Afghanistan have relative peace again.
Just over a decade later the Second Afghan War began. Parts of Afghanistan were handed over to the British but when a British envoy was murdered Britain gained control of Kabul. Afghanistan made agreements with Russia and managed to gain full control over their foreign relations. They remained neutral throughout WWI even though they were under pressure from Britain.
Amanullah, the leader of Afghanistan in 1926 was man who tried to "Westernise" Afghanistan and attempted to reform various aspects of the traditional life of those who lived there. Amanullah was an activist for increased women's rights and wanted to reduce the influence of religious leaders on the populace. His attempts were ill received and he was removed from power in 1929. His successor tried to again "westernise" Afghanistan and he too was ill received and was assassinated. Afghanistan once again remained neutral in the next world war (WWII).
In the late 1970's guerrilla warfare was abundant in Afghanistan. People were opposed to the social polices in state and they started leading attacks in an attempt to gain government. In 1992 the guerrilla forces (named 'Islamic Warriors) gained control of the capital, Kabul. Once there they set up a new government that consisted of 50 people who were a council. However the new government didn't last long. In-fighting occurred and various other guerrilla groups made attempts to seize overall control. In 1994 a new group emerged, they were called the Taliban and by 1998 they had control of over two thirds of the country as well as the capital. America saw the Taliban as a threat and destroyed a terrorist training camp on the outskirts of Kabul which was run by the infamous Osama bin Laden. bin Laden had already been accused of the terror attacks against two American embassies. The Taliban had effectively placed half the nation under house arrest with the rule that a woman couldn't leave the house unless accompanied by a male. The Taliban carried out these new regulations with threats of physical violence and they quite often carried these out. Women were no longer allowed to go to work or school.
2001 was a busy year for the Taliban. They destroyed all the statues in Afghanistan even two prestigious, ancient statues of Buddha. This was met with dismay by countries all over the world. On the 11th of September there was a massive terrorist attack. Sanctioned by Osama bin Laden the colossal damage done by the attacks would go much further than the economic cost. That day, forever etched into America's history it was a devastating incident that would have great consequences on everyone not only the people who had lost family members. George Bush, the American president at the time, called for the Taliban to hand over bin Laden but they refused. America therefore launched attacks on the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Over the next decade the death toll in Afghanistan rose. In 2011 however the war in Afghanistan looked close to over after the American's succeeded in killing Afghanistan.
Australian troops are rapidly leaving Afghanistan as well as American troops. The withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan will be nearly finished by 2014. But the question still remains, will Afghanistan be able to recover from the most recent war of many?
The area that we know today as Afghanistan was conquered by various leaders throughout it's long history. A few of these are Alexandra the Great and King Darius (Persian). Buddhism was introduced into the area early in the 2nd Century B.C and in the 7th Century B.C the Muslim takeover of the area occurred. Durrani was one of many Muslim dynasties and during his reign he conquered most of present day Afghanistan. The Durrani dynasty ended in 1818.
The time between 1818 and the 1900's was a time of change in Afghanistan. The First Afghan War began, it was between the British and Afghanistan. Britain and Russia were fighting for power in Central Asia and only after an alliance was signed with the British did Afghanistan have relative peace again.
Just over a decade later the Second Afghan War began. Parts of Afghanistan were handed over to the British but when a British envoy was murdered Britain gained control of Kabul. Afghanistan made agreements with Russia and managed to gain full control over their foreign relations. They remained neutral throughout WWI even though they were under pressure from Britain.
Amanullah, the leader of Afghanistan in 1926 was man who tried to "Westernise" Afghanistan and attempted to reform various aspects of the traditional life of those who lived there. Amanullah was an activist for increased women's rights and wanted to reduce the influence of religious leaders on the populace. His attempts were ill received and he was removed from power in 1929. His successor tried to again "westernise" Afghanistan and he too was ill received and was assassinated. Afghanistan once again remained neutral in the next world war (WWII).
In the late 1970's guerrilla warfare was abundant in Afghanistan. People were opposed to the social polices in state and they started leading attacks in an attempt to gain government. In 1992 the guerrilla forces (named 'Islamic Warriors) gained control of the capital, Kabul. Once there they set up a new government that consisted of 50 people who were a council. However the new government didn't last long. In-fighting occurred and various other guerrilla groups made attempts to seize overall control. In 1994 a new group emerged, they were called the Taliban and by 1998 they had control of over two thirds of the country as well as the capital. America saw the Taliban as a threat and destroyed a terrorist training camp on the outskirts of Kabul which was run by the infamous Osama bin Laden. bin Laden had already been accused of the terror attacks against two American embassies. The Taliban had effectively placed half the nation under house arrest with the rule that a woman couldn't leave the house unless accompanied by a male. The Taliban carried out these new regulations with threats of physical violence and they quite often carried these out. Women were no longer allowed to go to work or school.
2001 was a busy year for the Taliban. They destroyed all the statues in Afghanistan even two prestigious, ancient statues of Buddha. This was met with dismay by countries all over the world. On the 11th of September there was a massive terrorist attack. Sanctioned by Osama bin Laden the colossal damage done by the attacks would go much further than the economic cost. That day, forever etched into America's history it was a devastating incident that would have great consequences on everyone not only the people who had lost family members. George Bush, the American president at the time, called for the Taliban to hand over bin Laden but they refused. America therefore launched attacks on the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Over the next decade the death toll in Afghanistan rose. In 2011 however the war in Afghanistan looked close to over after the American's succeeded in killing Afghanistan.
Australian troops are rapidly leaving Afghanistan as well as American troops. The withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan will be nearly finished by 2014. But the question still remains, will Afghanistan be able to recover from the most recent war of many?
Physical features
Afghanistan is located in the heart of south-central Asia. It has an area of 251,825 square miles or 652,225 square kilometres and is completely landlocked, and reaching a height of more than 24,000 ft/7,315 m across the centre of the country. The nearest coast lying along the Arabian Sea, about 300 miles to the south. Its longest border, of 1,125 miles (1,810 kilometres), is with Pakistan, to the east and south. The 510-mile border in the west separates Afghanistan from Iran, and there is a 200-mile border with the part of Jammu and Kashmir claimed by Pakistan. There are 4 rivers in Afghanistan, which are:
Kabul: Kabul river is always full of water. It flows east into Pakistan to merge into the Indus River.
Amu Darya: The river is located on the northern border and is the country's only largely navigable river. Two main tributaries of Amu
Darya are Panj and Vakhsh.
Harirud River: Rising in Central Afghanistan, Harirud River moves to west and north-west direction where the border with Iran exists. Water of Harirud River is extensively for irrigation purposes in Herat region.
Helmand River: Longest among the rivers in Afghanistan, Helmand River originates in Central Hindu Kush mountains. The river flows past the south-west region of the country, ending in Iran. This river is also
widely used for irrigation.
Lakes and Dams
Afghanistan does not have great number of lakes, and they too are small in size. Mentionable lakes in the country are Lake Zarkol along the Tajikistan border, Lake Shiveh in Badakhshan, and saltwater Lake Istadehye Moqor, south of Ghazni. Near the borders of Iran, there are two salt marshes too. Important dams and reservoirs in the country include Kajaki Reservoir on Helmand River, Kelagay Dam on a tributory of Amu Darya River, Sardeh Dam on Ghazni River, and Arghandab Dam on a tributary of Helmand
Afghanistan is located in the heart of south-central Asia. It has an area of 251,825 square miles or 652,225 square kilometres and is completely landlocked, and reaching a height of more than 24,000 ft/7,315 m across the centre of the country. The nearest coast lying along the Arabian Sea, about 300 miles to the south. Its longest border, of 1,125 miles (1,810 kilometres), is with Pakistan, to the east and south. The 510-mile border in the west separates Afghanistan from Iran, and there is a 200-mile border with the part of Jammu and Kashmir claimed by Pakistan. There are 4 rivers in Afghanistan, which are:
Kabul: Kabul river is always full of water. It flows east into Pakistan to merge into the Indus River.
Amu Darya: The river is located on the northern border and is the country's only largely navigable river. Two main tributaries of Amu
Darya are Panj and Vakhsh.
Harirud River: Rising in Central Afghanistan, Harirud River moves to west and north-west direction where the border with Iran exists. Water of Harirud River is extensively for irrigation purposes in Herat region.
Helmand River: Longest among the rivers in Afghanistan, Helmand River originates in Central Hindu Kush mountains. The river flows past the south-west region of the country, ending in Iran. This river is also
widely used for irrigation.
Lakes and Dams
Afghanistan does not have great number of lakes, and they too are small in size. Mentionable lakes in the country are Lake Zarkol along the Tajikistan border, Lake Shiveh in Badakhshan, and saltwater Lake Istadehye Moqor, south of Ghazni. Near the borders of Iran, there are two salt marshes too. Important dams and reservoirs in the country include Kajaki Reservoir on Helmand River, Kelagay Dam on a tributory of Amu Darya River, Sardeh Dam on Ghazni River, and Arghandab Dam on a tributary of Helmand
Climate
Cut off from the Arabian Sea monsoons by the mountains to the southeast, the climate of Afghanistan is typical of an arid or semiarid steppe. The winters are characteristically very cold, with temperatures dropping well below freezing, while the summers are hot and dry.
The mountain regions of the northeast are sub-arctic, with dry, cold winters. Along the mountains that border Pakistan, there are some fringe effects from the monsoon, which brings tropical air masses that impact the climate between July and September. These air masses, at times, can advance into central and southern Afghanistan, bringing increased humidity and some rain. On the intermountain plateaus, the winds do not blow very strongly. However, in the Sistan Basin near Iran, severe blizzards can occur during winter, generally December through February. The “wind of 120 days” is a northerly wind that blows across the western and southern regions of Afghanistan during the summer months of June to
September. This wind is usually accompanied by intense heat, drought, and sandstorms. In addition, dust and whirlwinds frequently occur during the summer months on the flats in the southern part of the country. Rising at midday or in the early afternoon, these "dust winds" advance at velocities ranging between 60 and 110 miles per hour, raising high clouds of dust.
The highest temperatures and the lowest precipitation occur in the southern plateau region where the land is
drought-ridden and poorly watered. This region extends over the
boundaries into Iran and Pakistan. The Central Mountains represent another distinct climatic region. From the Koh-e Baba Range to the Pamir Knot, January temperatures may drop to 5 F or lower in the highest mountain areas;
July temperatures vary between 32 and 80 F depending on altitude. In the mountains, the annual mean precipitation, most of which is snow, increases eastward. Precipitation in these regions and the eastern monsoon area is
about 16 inches per year. Permanent snow covers the highest mountain peaks with depths as much as 6 ½ feet during the winter months.
The climate of the Turkistan Plains, which extend northward from the Northern Foothills, represents a transition
between mountain and steppe climates. Aridity increases and temperatures rise with the drop in altitude.
Cut off from the Arabian Sea monsoons by the mountains to the southeast, the climate of Afghanistan is typical of an arid or semiarid steppe. The winters are characteristically very cold, with temperatures dropping well below freezing, while the summers are hot and dry.
The mountain regions of the northeast are sub-arctic, with dry, cold winters. Along the mountains that border Pakistan, there are some fringe effects from the monsoon, which brings tropical air masses that impact the climate between July and September. These air masses, at times, can advance into central and southern Afghanistan, bringing increased humidity and some rain. On the intermountain plateaus, the winds do not blow very strongly. However, in the Sistan Basin near Iran, severe blizzards can occur during winter, generally December through February. The “wind of 120 days” is a northerly wind that blows across the western and southern regions of Afghanistan during the summer months of June to
September. This wind is usually accompanied by intense heat, drought, and sandstorms. In addition, dust and whirlwinds frequently occur during the summer months on the flats in the southern part of the country. Rising at midday or in the early afternoon, these "dust winds" advance at velocities ranging between 60 and 110 miles per hour, raising high clouds of dust.
The highest temperatures and the lowest precipitation occur in the southern plateau region where the land is
drought-ridden and poorly watered. This region extends over the
boundaries into Iran and Pakistan. The Central Mountains represent another distinct climatic region. From the Koh-e Baba Range to the Pamir Knot, January temperatures may drop to 5 F or lower in the highest mountain areas;
July temperatures vary between 32 and 80 F depending on altitude. In the mountains, the annual mean precipitation, most of which is snow, increases eastward. Precipitation in these regions and the eastern monsoon area is
about 16 inches per year. Permanent snow covers the highest mountain peaks with depths as much as 6 ½ feet during the winter months.
The climate of the Turkistan Plains, which extend northward from the Northern Foothills, represents a transition
between mountain and steppe climates. Aridity increases and temperatures rise with the drop in altitude.
Topography Map Of Afghanistan
PMI Chart
Plus :
1. Afghanistan is very rich with natural resources
2. the Afghan Government has established 162 health facilities in 141 districts across the country
3. large population
Minus:
1. large population
2. They have a very poor health care system
3. Women are treated poorly
4. They were Ruled by the Taliban for quite a few years
5. The 1979 Soviet invasion destroyed much of the country's limited infrastructure and disrupted norma patterns of economic activity
6. unemployment of 35.000%
7. death penalty still legal
8. life expectancy 49.720 years
Interesting:
The countries children between 7 and 13 years, going to school has increased to 54% (67% for boys and 37% for girls).there is a few reasons why there is such numbers, some are distance to schools, poor facilities and lack of separate schooling for boys and girls continue to be challenges to higher enrolment.
Plus :
1. Afghanistan is very rich with natural resources
2. the Afghan Government has established 162 health facilities in 141 districts across the country
3. large population
Minus:
1. large population
2. They have a very poor health care system
3. Women are treated poorly
4. They were Ruled by the Taliban for quite a few years
5. The 1979 Soviet invasion destroyed much of the country's limited infrastructure and disrupted norma patterns of economic activity
6. unemployment of 35.000%
7. death penalty still legal
8. life expectancy 49.720 years
Interesting:
The countries children between 7 and 13 years, going to school has increased to 54% (67% for boys and 37% for girls).there is a few reasons why there is such numbers, some are distance to schools, poor facilities and lack of separate schooling for boys and girls continue to be challenges to higher enrolment.
Film Clip
Population Overview
The country of Afghanistan is home to an estimated
31,108,077 people. Their nationality is Afghan and the main religions are Sunni Muslim (80%), Shia Muslim (19%) and other religions make up 1% of the overall
religions in Afghanistan.
There are many different languages spoken throughout
Afghanistan but the official languages are Dari and
Pashto.
The main languages spoken
are:
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%
Pashto (official) 35%
Turkic languages 11%
30 minor languages 4%
The Ethnicity of the people who live in Afghanistan are
Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Aimak, Turkmen and Balok. There are many other
Ethnic types who live in Afghanistan but as they are contribute to under 4% of
the population’s ethnic status it is rarely listed.
The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul and is home to 3.753 million people.
31,108,077 people. Their nationality is Afghan and the main religions are Sunni Muslim (80%), Shia Muslim (19%) and other religions make up 1% of the overall
religions in Afghanistan.
There are many different languages spoken throughout
Afghanistan but the official languages are Dari and
Pashto.
The main languages spoken
are:
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%
Pashto (official) 35%
Turkic languages 11%
30 minor languages 4%
The Ethnicity of the people who live in Afghanistan are
Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Aimak, Turkmen and Balok. There are many other
Ethnic types who live in Afghanistan but as they are contribute to under 4% of
the population’s ethnic status it is rarely listed.
The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul and is home to 3.753 million people.
References
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. Last accessed 28-05-13.
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Last accessed 1-6-13
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. Last accessed 2-6-13.
http://www.afghanrelief.org/about-afghanistan/afghanistan-facts.
Last accessed 1st june 2013.
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http://www.afghan-network.net/Culture/facts.html..
Last accessed 1st june 2013.
- Pollew, A. (2011). Physical features and climate. Available:
http://fata.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=85.
Last accessed 1st june 2013.
- Louice, b. (N/A). Afghanistan: War, Conflict and Peace. Available:
http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/afghanistan/?gclid=CKqOj92XxLcCFUFepQodqHgA-Q
. Last accessed 28-05-13.
- Paolo, C. (N/A). Afghanistan. Available:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html .
Last accessed 28/5/2013.
- Bonerc, F. (N/A). International Programs – Region Summary . Available:
http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php?N=%20Results%20&T=10&A=separate&RT=0&Y=2013&R=-1&C=AF
. Last accessed 28-05-13.
- Flowers, J. (N/A). History|infoplease.com. Available:
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/afghanistan-history.html .
Last accessed 1-06-13
-.Lawson, G. (N/A). Afghanistan vs Australia in World Country Facts.
Available: http://country-facts.findthedata.org/l/87/Australia.
Last accessed 1-6-13
Merrit, P. (N/A). Australia and Afghanistan Comparison. Available:
http://www.aneki.com/comparison.php?country_1=Australia&country_2=Afghanistan
. Last accessed 2-6-13.