Project: Afghanistan/Country

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Flag of Afghanistan

Contents

Location

Afghanistan is a landlocked mountainous country located on the Iranian Plateau, at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, Tajikistan to the northeast, and China to the northeast and east. The country is predominantly mountainous with plains in the north and the southwest, which are separated by the Hindu Kush mountain range.

See Also: Geography of Afghanistan

Administrative Divisions

Afghanistan is divided into several administrative layers that organize its governance structure:

Provinces: Afghanistan has 34 provinces (wilayat), each governed by a provincial governor appointed by the central government. These provinces vary in size and population, with Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar among the most prominent.

Districts: Each province is further divided into districts (wuluswali). Afghanistan has around 400 districts, which serve as the next level of local administration, each headed by a district governor. The number of districts within a province can range from a few to several dozen, depending on its size and population.

Villages and Towns: Districts contain numerous villages and towns, which are the smallest administrative units. Villages are typically governed by local councils or community leaders who address immediate local issues and represent community interests.

These administrative divisions are designed to decentralize governance, although in practice, many areas still rely heavily on tribal and local authority structures due to geographical, political, and security challenges.

See Also:

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, located in the Kabul Province. Other significant cities include Kandahar, Herat,Mazar-i-Sharif, and Jalalabad.

History

Afghanistan's history is marked by its strategic position in Central Asia, making it a crossroad of cultures, empires, and geopolitical interests for over two millennia. Its early history saw influences from multiple civilizations, including the Persian Empire, the Mauryan Empire in India, and Alexander the Great's Macedonian empire, which passed through in the 4th century BCE. Afghanistan was also a central hub on the Silk Road, fostering trade and the spread of Buddhism, which flourished there until the spread of Islam in the 7th century.

Islamic rule took firm root after the Arab invasions, and by the 10th century, the Ghaznavid Empire arose in Afghanistan, expanding Islamic influence into India. Following Ghaznavid rule, the Ghorid and Timurid dynasties marked the region, both contributing significantly to art, culture, and architecture. The Mongols, under Genghis Khan, invaded in the 13th century, bringing destruction but also integrating Afghanistan into the vast Mongol Empire, which ultimately paved the way for the resurgence of Islamic dynasties. In the 18th century, Ahmad Shah Durrani, considered the founder of modern Afghanistan, unified the region, establishing the Durrani Empire. The empire faced internal strife and external pressures, particularly from British India and Russia, who saw Afghanistan as a buffer state in their "Great Game" rivalry. The British attempted to assert control over Afghanistan, leading to the Anglo-Afghan Wars (1839-42, 1878-80, and 1919). Although Britain achieved temporary control, Afghanistan maintained its independence and established itself as a neutral, buffer state.

Afghanistan's independence from British influence was solidified in 1919 following the Third Anglo-Afghan War. King Amanullah Khan subsequently attempted to modernize Afghanistan, implementing reforms in education, law, and women's rights. However, these changes were met with resistance, leading to his eventual abdication in 1929. The country endured political instability until King Zahir Shah, who ruled from 1933 to 1973, ushered in relative peace and modernization efforts, although Afghanistan remained largely traditional in many aspects.

In 1973, Zahir Shah was deposed in a coup, and the Republic of Afghanistan was established. Political turbulence followed, culminating in the Soviet invasion in 1979, aimed at supporting the communist government against insurgent groups, known as the Mujahideen. The Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) led to immense destruction and displacement. The Mujahideen, supported by the U.S. and Pakistan, eventually forced Soviet withdrawal. In 1989, the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, but civil war ensued as various factions vied for power.

The Taliban, an ultraconservative Islamist group, rose to power in the 1990s, promising order but imposing strict Sharia law. In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks and Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the U.S. led an invasion that ousted the Taliban. The U.S. and NATO forces supported a new Afghan government, but despite extensive aid and military presence, instability and insurgency persisted.

The U.S. formally ended its longest war with a withdrawal in 2021, leading to the swift return of the Taliban. Afghanistan now faces significant challenges, including economic hardship, human rights issues, and international isolation.

Historical Timeline

  • 330 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers the region, incorporating it into his vast empire.
  • 3rd Century BCE - 3rd Century CE: Under the Greco-Bactrian and later Kushan Empires, Afghanistan becomes a cultural and trade crossroads, with Buddhism spreading widely.
  • 7th Century: Islamic expansion reaches Afghanistan, gradually converting the region to Islam over the next centuries.
  • 1219-1221: Mongol invasion under Genghis Khan devastates Afghanistan, significantly affecting the region's development.
  • 1370-1507: Timur (Tamerlane) and his successors, the Timurids, rule over Afghanistan, fostering a period of art and culture centered in Herat.
  • 1747: Ahmad Shah Durrani founds the Durrani Empire, often considered the foundation of the modern Afghan state.
  • 1839-1842: First Anglo-Afghan War; British forces attempt to establish a puppet ruler in Afghanistan but suffer disastrous losses.
  • 1878-1880: Second Anglo-Afghan War; Britain asserts more influence over Afghanistan's foreign policy but recognizes it as an independent state.
  • 1893: The Durand Line is drawn by the British between Afghanistan and British India (modern-day Pakistan), creating a disputed border.
  • 1919: Third Anglo-Afghan War leads to the Treaty of Rawalpindi, granting Afghanistan full independence in foreign affairs.
  • 1926: Amanullah Khan declares Afghanistan a monarchy, initiating social and political reforms.
  • 1933: Zahir Shah becomes king, ruling until 1973 and overseeing a period of relative stability.
  • 1964: A new constitution is adopted, introducing limited democratic reforms.
  • 1973: The Republic of Afghanistan is established after King Mohammad is deposed by his cousin, General Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan in a coup d'état
  • 1978: General Daoud and his family are killed in a coup d'état and the government is replace by a Soviet-backed single-party-ruled Democratic Republic
  • 1992: Afghanistan's government collapses, allowing the Taliban to begin assuming power as an Islamic State.
  • 1996: The Taliban Islamic declares the First Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, a totalitarian Islamic State led that ruled 90% of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
  • 2001: The Islamic Emirate ceased to exist on 7 Dec 2001 after being overthrown by the Northern Alliance, which had been bolstered by the ISAF coalition established after a U.S.-led invasion of the country two months prior. The Emirate was replaced with the Afghan interim (2001–2002) and transitional (2002–2004) administrations.
  • 2004: Afghanistan was established as a presidential republic which ruled from 2004 to 2021.
  • 2021: The Taliban restores the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of NATO troops in 2021, after which the Taliban launched a massive military offensive allowing them to take control of the country.

See also: History of Afghanistan

Ethnicities

Afghanistan is ethnically diverse, with several major groups contributing to its cultural and social fabric. The largest ethnic group is the Pashtuns, making up about 40-42% of the population, predominantly in the south and east. Pashtuns traditionally speak Pashto and have a strong tribal culture, with influence over Afghan politics and society.

Tajiks, the second-largest group at around 25-27%, are mainly in the northeast and west, and primarily speak Dari. They are influential in business and government and often inhabit urban areas like Kabul and Herat.

The Hazaras, mostly Shia Muslims, comprise 10-15% of the population and primarily live in central Afghanistan. They have historically faced discrimination but are a prominent ethnic group today.

Uzbeks, around 6-8%, are mostly Sunni Muslims living in northern Afghanistan, speaking Uzbek.

Smaller groups include Turkmen, Baloch, Nuristanis, and Pashayi, each with unique languages and customs. Afghanistan’s ethnic composition has shaped its history, and interethnic relationships are a key factor in the country’s social dynamics and political alliances.

See Also: Afghans

Languages

Afghanistan is linguistically diverse, with over 40 languages spoken across the country. The two official languages are Dari and Pashto. Dari, a variety of Persian, serves as the primary lingua franca and is spoken by about half of the population, particularly in urban areas and the north and west. Pashto, spoken by around 35-40% of Afghans, is predominant in the south and east and is closely associated with Pashtun communities.

Other languages reflect Afghanistan's ethnic diversity. Uzbek and Turkmen, spoken in the north, are widely used among Uzbek and Turkmen minorities. Hazaragi, a dialect of Dari, is spoken by the Hazara people in central Afghanistan. Balochi is also spoken by Baloch communities in the southwest.

Smaller groups speak Nuristani and Pashayi in the eastern mountains, and Pamiri languages in isolated northeastern regions. Despite the prevalence of Dari and Pashto, this linguistic variety illustrates Afghanistan’s rich cultural tapestry.

See also: Languages of Afghanistan

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Religions

Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan, with the vast majority of Afghans identifying as Muslim. Around 85-90% follow Sunni Islam, primarily of the Hanafi school, while 10-15% are Shia Muslims, mainly from the Hazara community in central Afghanistan and parts of Kabul.

Historically, Afghanistan has had small communities of other faiths, including Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. However, decades of conflict, emigration, and persecution have reduced these populations. Today, a few hundred Sikhs and Hindus remain, primarily in Kabul and Jalalabad, maintaining their religious practices under difficult conditions. There are also some Afghan Christians, though most practice their faith privately due to societal pressures.

Afghanistan’s religious landscape reflects its historical position as a crossroads for various cultures and faiths. However, religious diversity has declined in recent decades, with Islam now overwhelmingly prevalent and highly influential in both personal and public life.

See also: Religion in Afghanistan

See Also: Demographics of Afghanistan

Afghani Naming Conventions

Afghan naming conventions reflect the country’s cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity, often influenced by Islamic and Persian traditions. Afghan names typically consist of one or two given names, while last names are used less formally than in Western cultures. Surnames or family names are not universally common and are sometimes derived from tribal or geographical identifiers rather than a set family lineage. Many given names have Islamic significance, such as Mohammad, Ahmad, or Ali for men and Fatima or Aisha for women, often incorporating elements like "Ullah" (meaning "of God") as in Abdullah. Persian names like Rostam, Layla, and Zahra are also popular, reflecting ties to Iran and Central Asia. Some Afghans use a patronymic (father’s name) or a tribal affiliation, such as Khan or Durrani, while place-based surnames, like Kabulwal for someone from Kabul, are also common. Naming conventions vary by ethnicity, with Pashtuns often choosing names connected to tribes and Tajiks or Hazaras favoring Persian or Islamic names.

See Also: Afghan names



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