Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South-Central Asia, bordered by Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. It is known for its rugged mountain ranges, including the Hindu Kush, which cross much of the country. Afghanistan has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years, lying along ancient Silk Road trade routes.
- Capital
- Kabul
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Southern Asia
- Area
- 652,230 km²
- Coordinates
- 33° N, 65° E
Country facts
- Dari and Pashto are the two official languages of Afghanistan.
- The Afghan hound, one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, originates from Afghanistan.
- Buzkashi, a sport in which horse-mounted players compete to carry a goat carcass across a goal line, is the national sport.
- Afghanistan is home to the Band-e-Amir lakes, a series of stunning deep-blue natural lakes formed by mineral-rich springs.
- The ancient city of Balkh, in northern Afghanistan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in history.
Capital facts
- Kabul sits in a narrow valley along the Kabul River at an elevation of about 1,800 meters above sea level.
- The city has served as a regional capital for over 3,500 years.
- The Babur Gardens, built in the early 16th century, are among the oldest surviving Mughal gardens in the world and are located in Kabul.
- Kabul's bazaars are famous for dried fruits, nuts, and traditional Afghan carpets.
- The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul houses thousands of artifacts spanning the country's long and diverse history.